Concrete and Sustainability

We’ve heard this from mwasha thousands of times, the definition of sustainability. We
can define sustainability as meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising
the needs of future generations with respect to resources.
With regard to concrete sustainability is relevant in 3 areas:
 Environmental sustainability
 Economic sustainability
 Social sustainability

Environmental Sustainability
Concrete powder/ cement is environmentally friendly contrary to what you may think. It
is of the environment itself – a natural component. It’s the process to make cement (the industrial
extraction of the materials, mixing and application) that makes it environmentally unfriendly. For
1T of cement produced there is also 1T of CO2 produced.
Concrete as a sustainable building material:
WHY?
 Resource efficiency – the main raw material for concrete is limestone which is the most
abundant material on the earth. Concrete can also be made from fly ash slag cement and
silica fume which are all waste by products from manufacturing facilities. Also, after a
concrete structure is demolished, it can be used as aggregates for formation of new
concrete, which is evidently saving our natural resources.
 Concrete surfaces can block natural water infiltration, if used strategically can allow for
water to runoff to be stored, further increasing/replenishing water resources. However on
the other hand, this trait holds the potential to cause flooding, however pervious concrete
can be utilized. It is a special type of concrete with a sponge-like network of voids which
allows water to pass through readily.

Economic Sustainability
HOW?
 Durable – Concrete builds durable long lasting structutures that will not rust, rot or burn.
The life span for concrete buildings can be double or triple that of other building
materials.
 Reflectivity – concrete can minimize the effects that produce urban head islands. Light
coloured pavements and roofs absorbs less heat and reflects solar radiation more than
dark coloured materials such as asphalt. This allows for less energy to be used for cooling
therefore improving sustainability.

Social Sustainability