Concrete is widely used in modern construction, particularly for building foundations. However, the materials included in concrete constructions have a significant negative impact on the environment. To mitigate this, the construction industry must explore more environmentally friendly alternatives. This study focuses on a relatively new technique called the Koljern foundation, which replaces traditional reinforced concrete slabs with a combination of cellular glass and lightweight steel beams. The cellular glass used in this technique is made up of approximately 60% recycled glass and possesses excellent insulation and strength properties. The report compares the cost and environmental impact of the traditional concrete slab with the Koljern foundation. Other factors considered in this study includes construction time, waste, and potential for reuse. A case study was conducted on a preschool building in Gunsta, serving as a reference for the analysis. Climate and cost calculations were performed using Bidcon software, along with manual calculations. The Gunsta preschool utilized green concrete for its foundation slab, and this is also included in the comparison to provide a broader perspective. The results demonstrate that opting for a Koljern foundation reduces environmental impact by 50% compared to a traditional concrete foundation, although costs increase by 103%. When compared to green concrete, the Koljern foundation has a nearly 42% lower carbon footprint but incurs a cost increase of 101%. Green concrete has a nearly 13% lower carbon footprint compared to traditional concrete. The price difference between green and traditional concrete is only 1%, with green concrete being the more expensive option. Furthermore, the Koljern foundation generates minimal waste due to the prefabrication of Koljern elements by Evia AB. In conclusion, the result of the study shows that a slab-on-grade foundation using the Koljern technique can be a possible alternative to the traditional concrete solution, depending on the specific project's objectives and goals. Despite higher costs, the Koljern foundation greatly reduces environmental impact, construction time, and enables high reusability.

Concrete slabs used in thepulp and paper industries are often situated outdoors, which means that theslabs are exposed to temperature variations due to different weatherconditions. These temperature variations together with operational temperaturesassociated with the manufacturing process, may introduce high temperaturegradients in the concrete. It is believed that the combination of these thermalloads have resulted in cracking in a slender concrete slab.The aim of this degree project has been to determine if the combination ofseasonal temperature and operational temperature is sufficient to introduce thetype of cracking seen in-situ in the concrete slab of a factory in Sundsvall,400 km north of Stockholm. This was achieved by simulating the development ofcracks in a slender concrete slab exposed to thermal loads using finite elementanalysis (FEA). In order to determine the accuracy of the model, the resultswere compared and evaluated against a crack mapping produced by Sweco. Furthersimulations were also carried out, in order to investigate if continuedcracking would occur beyond the time span of the Sweco investigation.The material model Concrete damage plasticity (CDP) in BRIGADE/Plus and Abaquswas used to predict the crack pattern and crack width in the concrete slab.Linear-elastic and non-linear material properties were used in the modelling ofthe concrete slab. The linear-elastic model indicated that thermal variationshowed significant risk of cracking. Thereafter, non-linear material propertieswere used in the modelling process. The cracking was simulated using ambienttemperature data and operational temperatures from the production plant.The results showed that cracking started when thermal loads were introduced tothe model. The ambient seasonal temperature alone was not enough to introducethe type of cracking seen in-situ on the slab. The combination of seasonalambient temperature and operational temperature was needed, in order for cracksto develop in the concrete slab. The results also indicated that the crackswill propagate further, but this can only be confirmed by performing additionalcrack mapping on site. / Betonggrunder som används för utrustning inom massa- och pappersindustrin befinner sig ofta utomhus vilket betyder att dessa är utsatta för vädrets förändringar. Temperaturvariationer i omgivningen och temperaturer som kommer från tillverkningsprocesserna kan medföra att höga temperaturgradienter skapas i betongen. Det är troligt att kombinationen av dessa termiska belastningar har gett upphov till sprick-bildning i en betonggrund.Målet för detta examensarbete har varit att bestämma, om huruvida kombinationen av års- temperaturer och temperaturer från industriprocessen är tillräckligt för att skapa den typ av sprickbildning i betonggrunden som iaktagits på plats hos en fabrik i Sundsvall. Det gjordes genom simulering av sprickbildning på betonggrunden, där grunden utsattes för termiska belastningar genom att använda finita element analys (FEA). För att bestämma tillförlitligheten hos metoden jämfördes och utvärderades resultatet mot en sprickkartering utförd av Sweco baserad på observationer ute på fabriken. Vidare gjordes ytterligare simuleringar utöver det tidsspann som Swecoundersökningarna visade, detta för att undersöka om huruvida sprickningen skulle fortgå.Materialmodellen Concrete damage plasticity (CDP) som finns i programmen BRIGADE/Plus och Abaqus användes för att förutse sprickbildning och sprickbredd i betonggrunden. Linjärelastiska och icke-linjära materialparametrar användes i modelleringen av betonggrunden. Utetemperatursdata tillsammans med temperaturer från industriprocessen användes för att undersöka anledningen till sprickbildningen.Resultaten av analyserna visade att sprickbildning uppkom när betonggrunden ut-sattes för termiska laster. Temperaturer från omgivningen var inte tillräckligt för att initiera sprickbildning. Kombinationen av temperaturer från omgivningen och industriprocessen behövdes för att sprickbildning skulle ske. Resultaten visade även att sprickbildningen kan fortsätta, med fler och bredare sprickor som följd.För att förhindra att sprickor uppstår i framtiden är det väsentligt att betona vikten av att minska uppkomsten av stora temperaturgradienter i betonggrunden.