Alternatives to Concrete

949 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Population growth and its impact on the environment

Concrete today is considered by many modern engineers and architects as a more efficient and effective alternative to steel n regards to the creation of buildings, ranging from low-story apartments to neck-breaking skyscrapers. Through the rapid growth and development of the world's major metropolises and growing cities, concrete today has become one of the most important building materials to date. According to the World Business Counsel for Sustainable Development (WBCSD), “it has become the most consumed substance on earth, only superseded by water, with three tons for each person used annually” (World). This huge demand for concrete makes the cement industry one of the world's largest carbon dioxide producers, accounting for about five percent of all man-made pollution. “Approximately one ton of carbon dioxide is put into the atmosphere for every ton of cement used” (World). The cause for this problem is the increase of the global population and the increasing demand for land and energy. It's effect is that as the population continues to increase, it forces builders and developers to meet the quota of creating unlimited amounts of infrastructure within a limited resource-filled world. Knowing this, a proposed and widely agreed solution is to make the concrete in an environmentally-conscious way that will incorporate more demolished concrete, scrap from past projects, and other recycled aggregates.

““Green” building is the concept of constructing homes and buildings we need today without depleting resources for future generations” (Balogh) As a subsidiary, the concept of incorporating recycled concrete began as a start of a environmental response of the theory of “green building” towards the growing demand and ...

... middle of paper ...

...lag. (2009). Retrieved from http://www.nationalslag.org/blastfurnace.htm

Case histories. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.concreterecycling.org/histories.html

Cobiax. (2010, January). Insight. Retrieved from http://www.cobiax.ch/downloads/english/Cobiax_Insight_E.pdf

Green concrete. (2011). Retrieved from http://www.concreteideas.com/green-concrete

Project example. (2010, January). Retrieved from

http://www.cobiax.ch/downloads/french/projects/other_countries/Projektbeispiel_

Nationalstadion_Warschau_PL_e.pdf

Recycled materials in concrete reduce co2 emissions and landfill use. (2011). Retrieved from

http://www.greenconcrete.info/recycled.html

World Business Council for Sustainable Development. (2002, July). The Cement Sustainability

Initiative. Retrieved from http://www.wbcsd.org/DocRoot/1IBetslPgkEie83rTa0J/cement-

action-plan.pdf

Show More
Related

  • Disadvantages Of Aggregate Pierss

    1139 Words  | 3 Pages

    The most economical method for ground improvement is aggregate piers. Before aggregate piers were used, engineers had to replace the weak soil with an engineering fill in order to use shallow foundations, but in some cases (load is very high) they had to use deep foundations, which is much more expensive. By using aggregate piers, we can now use shallow foundations in marginal soil without having to replace it. By using compacted aggregate to create stiff pier element, aggregate piers help to increase the bearing capacity, liquefaction resistance, shear strength, rate of consolidation and it reduces settlement.

    Read More

  • (Methyl Methacrylate) (PMMA) Or Composite Resins

    1298 Words  | 3 Pages

    Denture teeth can be made of acrylic poly(methyl methacrylate) (PMMA) or composite resins. PMMA is a polymer - a material made the from joining of methyl methacrylate monomers. Properties of PMMA include resistance to abrasion, chemical stability and a high boiling point. (Jun Shen et al. 2011). However, weak flexure and impact strength of PMMA are of concern as they account for denture failure. (Bolayir G, Boztug A and Soygun K. 2013). Composite denture teeth are made of a three distinct phases - filler, matrix and coupling agents. Out of the types of composite teeth available, nano-filled composite teeth are preferred. Composite teeth have a PMMA coating around the tooth and a high content of filler particles. This gives them strength, higher resistance to forces than acrylic teeth and provides compete polymerization due to the PMMA coating. (Anusavice, K. J., Phillips, R. W., Shen, C., & Rawls, H. R, 2012). If the interface between the PMMA denture base and PMMA or composite teeth was weak, the denture will not be able to sustain occlusal forces, making the base-teeth interface, an entity of significance.

    Read More

  • Concrete

    605 Words  | 2 Pages

    According to major supplies, “Use of synthetic fibers for reinforcing concrete is continuously, increasing. The increase has been considerable since 1980, but slowed somewhat in 1990, a year of substantial construction cutbacks. Apparently the construction community believes there are advantages in the use of synthetic fibers in concrete.” (Schupack) Synthetic fibers are used to improve crack control in concrete. Some reports say that synthetic fiber reinforced concrete (SFRC) would replace welded wire fabric in many slab-on-grade applications. But in reality if the welded wire fabric is placed properly it controls crack width better than the synthetic fiber reinforced concrete. In a case study of the use of synthetic fibers in reinforced concrete, the following conclusions were obtained. No matter what concrete placing job is being done, there is no substitute for good concrete practices. The use of a low fiber volume mix will help control plastic shrinkage cracks and bleeding, but not give good cracking control once the crack forms. The synthetic fibers running through a crack have a poor bond providing no shear friction. Impact and toughness tests on synthetic fiber reinforced concrete imply less edge spalling will occur. The American Concrete Institute (ACI) conducted two studies on polypropylene fiber reinforced concrete, one dealing with plastic shrinkage cracking and the other on permeability characteristics. Plastic shrinkage cracking occurs when the surface water on the concrete evaporates faster than the bleed water reaches the surface of the concrete. It was determined by the plastic shrinking cracking study that polypropylene fibers helped reduce the total plastic shrinkage crack area on test panels. Also determined is that the screeding rate affects the total crack area in polypropylene reinforced concrete, while finishing operations showed no significant effects. This study also suggests the use of longer fibers (about 0.75in.) will produce less crack area. “Permeability plays an important role in long-term durability of concrete materials. Permeability of concrete generally refers to the rate at which particular aggressive substances (water, sulfates, chloride ions, etc.) can flow through the concrete.” (Soroushian) As discussed in the plastic shrinkage study that polypropylene fibers reduce cracking. Less cracking in the concrete surface that surface would be less permeable. In the permeability study, they concentrated on the effects of chloride and the permeability of the concrete. The results of this study concluded polypropylene fibers had little effects on chloride permeability of concrete. The polypropylene fibers only help reduce plastic shrinkage cracks.

    Read More

  • One World Trade Center

    1591 Words  | 4 Pages

    In conclusion, the designers and builders of the tower have an undesirable job: creating a building that is functional, modern, sustainable and unique. At the same time it is honoring the memory of the people that died in and around the buildings that stood there before. While the green sustainable features have been criticized for being too expensive, they will do more than save just water, electricity and emissions. They and the grace of the building will inspire a generation of green and safe skyscrapers for the twenty-first century. This building has become one of the safest, environmentally friendly and expensive ever built, but as critics slate the building for various reasons, one cannot take away the determination through political, social and economic status that designers and workers have created such a beautiful building with great meaning.

    Read More

  • Analysis Of Dip Diffusion Methods For Green Bamboo

    1100 Words  | 3 Pages

    A sustainable building, or green building, or green Architecture was fundamentally seen in so many ancient civilizations and traditional architectures. So it is no more a new trend except that in the present it is viewed through a new perspective and with a proper technological support (Pawar Satish, 2014). The ‘Building Sector’ is the major source of demand for energy and materials e.g. steel that also produce by-product greenhouse gases (GHG) which is also prone to rusting and other weather degrading factors. However, a low-cost and renewable resource for permanent construction could be based on ‘Bamboo’. In tropical regions, construction size Bamboo reaches full strength already after 3-4 years. Bamboo can be seen growing on hill sides and along roads and fields it does not encroach on agricultural land either. On the contrary, Bamboo can prevent erosion and even revitalize devastated rain forest soil. Local economy can be promoted at all steps in the supply chain of Bamboo. Bamboo can even be of great help to the whole world by its remarkable CO2 sequestrating capacity. Bamboo has historically been used as a building material due to its inherent properties, being regenerating, biodegradable, with high tensile strength, and

    Read More

  • Green Buildings/Green Architecture

    2880 Words  | 6 Pages

    Despite the fact that novel technologies are continuously under development to complement existing practices in coming up with greener buildings, the universal intent is that such structures are designed to diminish the general effect on the built environment on health of the humans in addition to the natural environment via: Diminishing environmental degradation, pollution and waste, improving productivity of the employee and guarding occupant health, efficient usage of water, energy, in addition to other resources.

    Read More

  • Why I Want To Incorporate Ceramics

    509 Words  | 2 Pages

    Statement of Purpose Coming from a low-income family, college was hardly on my thoughts. I decided to attend a community college because that was the most affordable option at the time, and persuade a degree in science. After two years in a community college, I decided to take a drawing class just to get some relive from my schedule. Concurrently, I was doing sculptures in my room with out any basic artistic training. One day my drawing Professor, Daniel Golemb mentioned that he was a sculpture himself.

    Read More

  • Green Architecture

    661 Words  | 2 Pages

    Buildings consume a variety of materials in their construction. Green design reduces the dependence on resource intensive products and materials. Today, there are an increasing number of products available made from efficient, earth-friendly, or recycled materials. In a green building, consideration is also given to the construction process itself. Materials that minimize waste or can be recycled, help contribute to an efficient and environmentally sensitive construction process.

    Read More

  • Advantages And Disadvantages Of Fly Ash

    750 Words  | 2 Pages

    Besides reducing the usage of cement in concrete, there are several other advantages of using fly ash as supplementary cementitious materials. First of all, it acts as a water reducer. Water can be reduced up to 20%, depending on the quality of fly ash as well as the amount of cement replaced and therefore, act as a superplasticizing admixture when used in high-volume (Mehta, 2004). Besides that, using fly ash makes concrete more workable. This is because the concrete gets more cohesive and the occurrence of costly segregation decreases when less amount of water is needed for the same slump (Bremseth,

    Read More

  • The Benefits of Green Building

    1334 Words  | 3 Pages

    Sustainable buildings are becoming somewhat of a necessity in the world today. As the demand for green building develops, so does the demand for green building materials. Just as the old techniques and building materials seem to disappear in the assembly of things, they are now making a come back. Green building focuses on the efficiency of major resources like water and energy. As the cost for sustainable materials and products are on the decline, building green seems to be the most cost effective kind of design and construction. Looking specifically at green materials and their impact on the production of structures, it is evident that they are a prime choice for building material. The use of green materials should be promoted because they are better for the environment, more healthful for the consumer, and better for the economy.

    Read More

  • Dying Shopping Malls

    670 Words  | 2 Pages

    Material exploitation by way of demolishing one shopping center to build another in its place with a few additional components has a negative impact on the environment. I encourage those who are on board with a more intelligent approach to land use to think more in-depth on the utilization of materials. If the previous structure was a shopping mall, the already compartmentalized interior of the building would make for an easy transition, for renovation purposes, into residential housing. Instead, sleeker models of the same purpose are put into place. This is not to discourage the creation of new design, but instead thinking about incorporating old components into new ideas to create a truly unique structure.

    Read More

  • Essay On Concrete Tanks

    822 Words  | 2 Pages

    These are tanks constructed with blocks, either hollow or solid. Hollow blocks when used are usually filled with mortar to further reinforce it. Different sizes of blocks are used for tank construction; this could be 4” or 5” solid blocks, and 6” hollow blocks. Concrete tanks can take any shape, i.e rectangular, square and circular; hexagon, triangular, etc. To further reinforce the tank, 12mm rods can be installed at the four corners of the tank. Where two or three tanks are joined together, it is also advised that they are chained together to prevent them from collapsing as a result of the strength of static water body. For tanks that are not square or rectangular, the critical points are also reinforced with rods. The sizes also depend on the space available for use. Concrete tanks are easy to construct, strong, durable and easy to manage. The average depth for this tank is 1.2m and the water management system could be static renewal, flow through or re-circulatory. The yield here is also high.

    Read More

  • Disadvantages Of Wellbore Cementing

    812 Words  | 2 Pages

    Wellbore cementing is a critical part of oilfield drilling operations normally conducted a number of times during the drilling of a well. Cementing is completed by pumping cement down through the casing then back up the annulus between the casing and formation creating a hydraulic barrier between the casing and the formation in addition to protecting and supporting the casing. During latter times in a wells life cementing can also be conducted order to plug zones or entire wells that are no longer producing [1].

    Read More

  • Sustainable Design

    2494 Words  | 5 Pages

    Sustainable design seeks to reduce negative impacts on the environment, the health and comfort of building occupants, thereby improving building performance. The basic objects of sustainability are to reduce consumption of non-renewable resources, minimal waste, and create healthy, productive environments (“Sustainable Design”). Focusing primarily on the sustainable design principles, there are five, including: low-impact materials, energy efficiency, quality and durability, design for reuse and recycling, and renewability. As sustainability appears to become the necessary trend in architecture, the question concerning the cost versus outcome of “going green” really an investment or a waste of time and money comes to mind. With our research provided below, we believe the expenses may truly be with the investment in the end.

    Read More

  • Chemistry Of Cement Chemistry

    756 Words  | 2 Pages

    By definition, a pozzolan is “a siliceous or siliceous and aluminous mate¬ria that reacts chemically with calcium hydroxide (lime) to form com¬pounds having cementitious properties.” In early civilizations, natural pozzolans were mixed together with lime to produce hydraulic cements, whereas today natural or artificial pozzolans are usually used together with portland cement. The hydration of the calcium silicate compounds, C3S (or alite) and C2S (or belite), in portland cement produces abundant calcium hydroxide through the reactions represented by following equations (see Table.1 for cement chemistry nomenclature).

    Read More

More about Alternatives to Concrete

Open Document