Is it possible to achieve this without affecting the strength and durability of structures? We know that raw and construction materials used in cement-concrete system are affecting our environment in terms of energy and water consumption, waste generation, release of toxic gases and compounds and it is costly. How can we make the construction industry sustainable without affecting the environment.
Is it possible to do this by using some alternatives without compromising the physico-chemical, mechanical and durability properties of concrete structures?
Life Cycle Management is also important, as illustrated by P. Martinez-Vazquez.
Dear scholar,
In our research of concrete confinement, we've tried to replace the conventional lateral confinement such as FRP, steel tube etc to low cost recycled steel straps from packaging industry. The steel straps used are comparatively cheaper, and since it is recycled steel, it might be contributed to the green environment too. But we are not affirm to what extend that this steel strap confinement can contribute to sustainability, but research focused on performance of mechanical properties as well as structural behaviour of concrete elements shown promising results. For details, you can view some of the papers published or uploaded in my profile. :)
It should also be noted that the recently developed Life Cycle Assessment Framework for the environmental management which aims at evaluating, managing and mitigating the impact of the production processes and life cycle of infrastructure - see for instance BS EN ISO 14040:2006. This is an useful tool which reflects the design philosophies which start to rule engineering practice
Hi Kunal, while I cannot claim to be an expert in this field, I believe it is not only possible (but also essential) to attain sustainability in construction industry primarily because the modern foundations of construction industry, concrete and steel, are not the foundation materials when the construction industry was born. Though steel had been used by the earliest civilizations, its use as a mass construction material dates back only to the industrial revolution era. As for concrete, while naturally formed cement (calcined limestone) was used in the Pyramids, current form of concrete derived from cement is heavily dependent on the usage of water simultaneously emitting hazardous fumes in its production process in addition to being non-biodegradable at the disposal stage. So the alternative probably lies in going back to the green construction materials such as bio-foam (check out Malama Composites) which can be formed as structured insulated panels (SIP) which can replace concrete in additional to structural materials like bamboo and look to reinforce them with natural materials in order that they can replace modern construction materials such as steel.
Sustainable construction involves three main issues: environmentally friendly construction materials, energy efficiency in building and construction, and demolition waste management. Enhancing the durability of concrete and concrete structures, as well as minimizing their ecological impact are undoubtedly significant for all these three issues, and should be the final objectives of studies on contemporary concrete. So far, there are many alternatives for cement concrete, but they not as cheap, or as high performance/cost efficiency as cement concrete. Sustainability of the construction industry is a systematic engineering, it cannot be achieved by simply using alternatives.
Life Cycle Management is also important, as illustrated by P. Martinez-Vazquez.
I think we can bring sustainability in construction through the following approach without compermising physico-chemical, mechanical and durability properties of concrete structures.
Before construction, choosing the appropriate materials would be the best step to make the construction sustainable. The design should be done in a GREEN way ensuring natural ventilation and day lighting thereby reducing the energy consumption once its built. Use of simulation tools like ecotect (http://usa.autodesk.com/ecotect-analysis/) will help you in cataloging the energy efficiency of the building.
After the design phase, during the actual construction, the following points will ensure reducing the energy footprint, material footprint,water footprint, carbon footprint etc making the construction sustainable and eco efficient.
1. Use of Energy Efficient Equipment
2. Efficient Water Use by proper planning
3. Waste Reduction by proper planning and coordination
4. Reduce Transportation Energy by proper logistic planning
5. Adopting rapid Construction through Automation
Wastes during construction should be recycled/reused for other purposes which brings us to a zero waste construction
Also we can bring concepts of sustainability into the picture by reducing energy consumption of the building.(Refer Zero energy building in Singapore https://www.bca.gov.sg/zeb/). This can be done by proper planning during design phase and implementing intelligent automation technologies such as automated daylighting and automated thermal systems with feedback loops.
once the life cycle of building is completed, demolition waste should be recycled and used in some other/same facility. hence the building materials is not wasted. Use of technologies like interlocking bricks, rapid walls etc will make this process even easier.
Concluding bringing sustainability to a building is not a method, but an approach/culture which makes the whole process eco friendly and minimizes the damage to the nature.
Of course, sustainablity in construction is a matter of materials, design, construction but life cyle management should alos include monitoring of buildings performance and structures ageing. The subsequent additional cost, due to the design and installation of monitoring systems, is widely counterbalanced by the ability to detect possible loss of capacity, loss of performance or early ageing of a structure. For me, it is a key point to associate remote sensing and monitoring systems to achieve eco efficient buildings and civil structures.
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