Integrated Experimental and Theoretical Analysis of Reinforced Concrete Beams Using Green Concrete for Environmental Sustainability and Structural Optimization

The rapid growth of global infrastructure has intensified the reliance on traditional cement-based materials, leading to substantial CO₂ emissions and the exhaustion of natural resources. This research investigates the integration of eco-friendly construction techniques by evaluating reinforced concrete (RC) beams formulated with "green concrete"2 These mixtures incorporate industrial by-products—including silica fume, fly ash, and ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBS)—as partial binder replacements. The study employs a dual experimental and theoretical framework to assess structural parameters such as stiffness, flexural capacity, cracking patterns, and ductility. Laboratory specimens were subjected to two-point loading to establish load-deflection profiles and failure mechanisms5555. These results were validated through analytical limit-state design and nonlinear finite element analysis (FEA) using ANSYS. The findings indicate that green concrete beams offer structural performance comparable or superior to conventional mixes while achieving a 35% reduction in embodied carbon. A high correlation between empirical and numerical data (R² = 0.97) confirms the reliability of the predictive models, advocating for the use of sustainable concrete in structural applications.