Concrete is the most widely used construction material for infrastructure needs in the Asian region and in the world. Unfortunately, the concrete industry is one of the largest consumers of natural resources and energy, and is responsible for large emissions of carbon dioxide that is one of the greenhouse gases responsible for global warming. It is imperative that the concrete industry must be in an active role of balancing the infrastructure needs and the protection of environment.
This work presents a summary of some recent research closely associated with the sustainable development of concrete technology. The research projects include study and analysis of: - Causes of deterioration of concrete structures, problems at construction sites that causes early deterioration of concrete structures. In addition to above this book also presents some environmentally-friendly and sustainable concrete technology including the use of supplementary cementing materials (SCM), recycling concrete and other materials, enhancement of service life of concrete structures. Emerging technologies that have the potential to significantly contribute to sustainable concrete industry and barriers against reuse are presented at the end of book.
Table of Contents
I. INTRODUCTION
II. DETERIORATION OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES
III. CONSTRUCTION SITES- EARLY DETERIORATION
IV. ENHANCEMENT OF CONCRETE REUSE
4.1 Use of Supplementary Cementing Materials
4.2 Recycling Concrete and Other Materials
4.3 Enhancement of Service Life of Concrete Structures
V. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES
5.1 Ultra-High Strength Concrete
5.2 Carbon Dioxide Absorption
5.3 Nanotechnology
VI. BARRIERS AGAINST REUSE
6.1 Lack of Suitable Laws
6.2 Lack of Codes, Specifications, Standards and Guidelines
6.3 Cost
6.4 Poor Image
6.5 Low Quality specifications and codes
6.6 Inefficient Supply System
VII. CONCLUSION
Research Objectives and Themes
This work aims to address the environmental challenges posed by the concrete industry by summarizing recent research on sustainable concrete technology. The primary research objective is to explore methods for balancing growing infrastructure demands with environmental protection through resource efficiency, the use of industrial by-products, and the enhancement of structural durability to achieve a more sustainable development model.
- Analysis of causes leading to early deterioration of concrete structures.
- Evaluation of supplementary cementing materials (SCM) like fly ash and slag.
- Strategies for recycling construction and demolition (C&D) waste.
- Implementation of emerging technologies such as nanotechnology and carbon dioxide absorption.
- Identification of regulatory, economic, and technical barriers to the reuse of concrete materials.
Excerpt from the Book
4.2 Recycling Concrete and Other Materials
It is estimated that 1 billion tons of construction and demolition (C&D) waste are generated annually worldwide. Whether C&D waste originates from clearing operations after natural disasters (e.g., major earthquakes) or from human-controlled activities, the utilization of such waste by recycling can provide economic and environmental benefits. In recent years, utilizing C&D waste for new construction through recycling and reuse has received increased attention throughout the world, especially in the European countries, Japan, U. S., and Taiwan. Practical and economic experiences from Japan and Denmark suggest that road base and sub-base materials are expected to be the most important area of use of C&D waste. When used for such purposes, C&D waste (primarily of broken concrete, bricks, and stone) can substitute for up to 20% of the consumption of natural sand, gravel, and crushed stone, thereby saving natural resources.
At present, more than 95% of C&D waste is being recycled and used mainly as road base material in Japan. Recycled concrete has also been used as partial replacement of coarse aggregate for the concrete structures and concrete pavements. Extensive testing of hardened concrete properties indicated that they were comparable to all natural aggregate concrete. The use of recycled concrete aggregate did not cause any noticeable increase in cracking and other durability problems. These materials include used foundry sand and cupola slag from metal-casting industries, post-consumer glass, wood ash from pulp mills, sawmills, and wood-product manufacturing industries, sludge from primary clarifiers at pulp and paper mills, and de-inking solids from paper-recycling companies.
Summary of Chapters
I. INTRODUCTION: Discusses the environmental impact of the concrete industry and the necessity of sustainable development to meet the needs of a growing global population.
II. DETERIORATION OF CONCRETE STRUCTURES: Identifies various causes of concrete distress, such as carbonation, chloride-induced corrosion, and shrinkage, based on site surveys.
III. CONSTRUCTION SITES- EARLY DETERIORATION: Highlights specific construction-related factors, including poor mixing, lack of cover, and unskilled workmanship, that lead to premature structural degradation.
IV. ENHANCEMENT OF CONCRETE REUSE: Examines methods to improve sustainability through supplementary cementing materials, recycling of waste, and increasing the service life of structures.
V. EMERGING TECHNOLOGIES: Explores innovative approaches, including ultra-high strength concrete, carbon sequestration, and nanotechnology, to promote sustainability.
VI. BARRIERS AGAINST REUSE: Outlines the regulatory, economic, and systemic obstacles that currently impede the widespread adoption of sustainable concrete practices.
VII. CONCLUSION: Reaffirms the need for a holistic approach to sustainable concrete technology to minimize environmental impact and resource consumption.
Keywords
Concrete reuse, Concrete durability, Supplementary cementing materials, SCM, Sustainable development, Sustainable concrete technology, Carbonation, Construction and Demolition waste, Nanotechnology, Infrastructure, Resource efficiency, Environmental stewardship.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this publication?
This publication focuses on sustainable development within the concrete industry, specifically exploring ways to reduce the environmental impact of concrete production and utilization.
What are the core thematic areas discussed?
The core themes include structural deterioration analysis, the use of industrial by-products as supplementary cementing materials, recycling construction waste, extending structural service life, and emerging technologies.
What is the main objective of this research?
The primary goal is to provide a comprehensive summary of recent research that helps balance infrastructure needs with the urgent necessity of environmental protection.
Which scientific methods are analyzed in this book?
The book analyzes site investigation methods for identifying distress, laboratory-based performance testing for high-volume fly ash concrete, and theoretical applications of diffusion models like Fick's Second Law.
What does the main body cover?
The main body covers the causes of concrete deterioration, the utilization of alternative materials, strategies for improving concrete durability, and the various barriers preventing sustainable reuse.
Which keywords best describe this work?
The key concepts include concrete durability, supplementary cementing materials (SCM), sustainable development, and construction and demolition (C&D) waste management.
How does carbonation affect concrete structures?
Carbonation lowers the pH of concrete, leading to the corrosion of embedded steel bars, which significantly reduces the structural lifespan of beams and columns.
Why is the "prescriptive-type" of building code identified as a barrier?
Prescriptive codes limit the amount of supplementary cementing materials that can be used regardless of performance, often preventing the adoption of more sustainable, high-volume mixtures.
What role does the supply system play in concrete reuse?
The existing, highly efficient supply chain for virgin materials makes it difficult for recycled alternatives to compete economically, as there is currently no established information network connecting waste producers with potential users.
- Arbeit zitieren
- Prachi Singh (Autor:in), 2015, Reuse of Concrete for Sustainable Development, München, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/442654
