Reducing the emissions from ground improvement by halve for the new part of Helsinki city – Case Malminkenttä

Abstract

City of Helsinki has a goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, and this article explores methods to mitigate carbon emissions in ground improvement projects in the residential areas of Malminkenttä. The article focuses on the feasibility and low-carbon opportunities of using low-carbon binders in place of conventional lime-cement binders in deep mixing. Through laboratory and field tests, alternative binders are validated for their efficiency in reducing emissions. Carbon accountings confirm the potential for significant emission reductions in the residential areas which are characterized by deep clay layers. The study concludes that using low-carbon binders and low-carbon ground improvement methods, as well as implementing effective carbon management procedures, can successfully lead to emission reduction targets in ground improvement projects.