Title: Concrete and Sustainable Development

Author(s): C. Meyer

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 206

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 501-512

Keywords: concrete, concrete materials science, concrete technology, environmentally friendly construction, fly ash, green buildings, recycling, supplementary cementing materials, sustainable development, waste glass, waste materials

DOI: 10.14359/12272

Date: 4/1/2002

Abstract:
The United States is a country known for its wasteful use of natural resources. Effort so correct the results of past transgressions as well as to balance economic development against legitimate concerns of conservation are pervading almost all aspects of life, including the construction industry. Concrete, being the most widely used material worldwide, is a natural target for greenhouse gases and energy user. Recent research has led to the point where substituted partially fror cement, such as fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag. Also other recycled materials are finding increased application in concrete produciton. For example, recycled concrete has been used successfully in numerous projects, and crushed waste glass is now available as a valuable source of aggregate, since the problem of alkali-silicate reaction has been solved. The key to commercial success is beneficiation, ie.e. the targeted utilizaion of specific properties of the recycled material, which adds value to the end product.