CONCRETE PLAYS A KEY ROLE IN SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT
Concrete is durable. It will not rot, rust, or rut, and can be designed to provide service over several generations.
Concrete helps to optimize structure energy performance. Insulated concrete wall systems, for example, enhance the ability of buildings to even out daily temperature swings, reducing peak heating and cooling loads. Concrete’s thermal mass provides energy savings for the lifetime of a structure.
Concrete used in roads, parking lots, and green roof systems can minimize heat islands in Southeastern Wisconsin. The natural color of concrete reflects more light, reducing heat gain in urban areas.
Concrete highways improve the fuel efficiency of the nation’s trucking fleets. Concrete’s light-reflective properties mean less electricity is needed for pavement illumination compared to what is required for other pavement materials.
Concrete is versatile. It can be used both as the primary support for a building and as the building’s exterior and/or interior finish surface, preserving resources.
Compared to other building materials, the energy used to make and transport concrete is very low. Produced from abundant and locally available raw materials, most ready-mixed concrete is manufactured within 20 miles of the job site where it will be used.
Ready-mixed concrete is manufactured and used on an “as-needed” basis, which minimizes the construction waste inherent in sheet goods, dimensional lumber, and most other construction materials. Left-over concrete is easily reclaimed back at the ready-mix plant.
Concrete often contains recycled materials, which would otherwise become part of the waste stream and be deposited in landfills. Industrial wastes like fly ash (a byproduct of electricity generation) and slag (a byproduct of steel manufacturing) are used to improve concrete properties. The use of recycled materials reduces construction-industry reliance on raw materials and saves energy.
And concrete can be recycled. When concrete finally reaches the end of its service life, it can be crushed for use as a base material for roads, sidewalks, or concrete slabs. Reinforcing steel in concrete, which is made from recycled materials, can be recycled and reused.
Concrete also helps to create a sustainable building site, by helping to manage and minimize storm water runoff.
Related Links
Concrete Thinking For A Sustainable World | http://www.concretethinker.com
Environmental Council of Concrete Organizations (ECCO) | http://www.ecco.org
USGBC LEED Green Building Rating System | http://www.usgbc.org/leed
Insulated Concrete Homes (ICFs) | http://www.cement.org/homes/ch_bs_icf.asp
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