Title: Concrete and Sustainable Development

Author(s): Vesa Penttala

Publication: Materials Journal

Volume: 94

Issue: 5

Appears on pages(s): 409-416

Keywords: by-products; concretes; carbonation; cement production; durability life; emisions; energy absorption; energy consumption; environmental effects; heating energy; life cycles; service life; sustainable development; recycling; wastes;

DOI: 10.14359/325

Date: 9/1/1997

Abstract:
The first signs of global warming caused by the greenhouse effect are now apparent. In the near future, a new evaluation of building materials in light of their ability to fulfill the requirements of sustainable development will be required. In this paper, the energy consumption and greenhouse gas emissions of concrete in residential buildings will be examined, taking into consideration production and operational phases, as well as traffic-induced energy consumption and emissions in residential areas. The massiveness of concrete buildings causes significant energy and emission savings compared to buildings comprised of lighter materials. This improves the ecological balance of concrete and lifts it to the group of building materials which burden environment least.