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Why is concrete not eco-friendly?

Concrete production adds to airborne pollution while transporting raw materials to production sites and concrete to building sites adds to greenhouse gases. By expanding our concrete footprint, we are taking over fertile soil and covering over habitats that form a vital role in our ecosystems.

iwbcc.com - Why Building With Concrete is not Sustainable - IWBC

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mass timber construction

Did you know that (aside from water) concrete is the most widely used substance on earth? Every year, enough concrete is poured to cover the land surface of England. Concrete has been the backbone of industrialization, providing housing, infrastructure and fortifying against natural forces like flooding and sea surges. By covering more and more of the earth’s surface with concrete, we are threatening biodiversity and the natural weather coping mechanisms that keep us safe. Concrete production results in 2.8 billion tonnes of carbon dioxide which is between 4-8% of the world’s greenhouse gas emissions. Concrete is responsible for a tenth of the world’s industrial water usage. One study even claims that there is more concrete by weight on the earth than there is plant matter. Concrete is the very fabric of our communities, providing housing and infrastructure like hospitals and schools, helping to dam rivers and keep us safe from floods. Ironically, with an increase in the effects of climate change, it’s concrete that reduces absorption of rain water and exacerbates floods. Concrete contributes to the heat island effect by absorbing and retaining heat from the sun. Concrete production adds to airborne pollution while transporting raw materials to production sites and concrete to building sites adds to greenhouse gases. By expanding our concrete footprint, we are taking over fertile soil and covering over habitats that form a vital role in our ecosystems. While concrete has traditionally provided a cheap and effective way to build, there is only so much concrete that can be laid until the scales are tipped resulting in ecological collapse. With India, China and other developing nations entering their high concrete production phase of industrialization, world concrete production will increase from 4 to 5bn tonnes in a year. According to the Global Commission on the Economy and Climate, this will result in 470 gigatonne of carbon dioxide by 2050. The Paris climate agreement saw nations committing to cutting carbon emissions from cement production by at least 16% before 2030 which seems unlikely with current rates. One solution is to utilize alternative materials for construction. Cross-laminated timber is an excellent alternative that actually sequesters carbon dioxide rather than producing it. “It is time to move out of the “concrete age” and stop thinking primarily about how a building looks,” said Anthony Thistleton, Architect. “Concrete is beautiful and versatile but, unfortunately, it ticks all the boxes in terms of environmental degradation,” he told the Architects Journal. “We have a responsibility to think about all the materials we are using and their wider impact.” Of course, this isn’t a one-sided argument, even among mass-timber advocates. There are several building systems that use concrete/mass timber composites. The concrete is there to suppress vibration and for better acoustics. The way forward will be through collaboration and innovation to create buildings that are sustainable.

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What is the best sub base for concrete?

The best sub-base for a concrete slab is gravel. The soil has to be prepped first before the gravel can be laid down; pouring concrete directly onto rock is not considered a best practice. You can use different kinds of gravel for the subbase as long as it is clean and uniform in shape and size.

homeguides.sfgate.com - The Recommended Gravel Base for a Concrete Driveway - Home Guides

One of the main reasons concrete driveways get cracks is due to poor base construction. From pouring concrete on rock to compacting soil for concrete slabs, there are numerous ways to make a driveway. Only some will last in the long run, though. Repairing or replacing a driveway can be quite costly, so doing it right the first time can prevent those problems. Family Handyman stresses that driveway bases have to be solid and stable, especially in colder climates. This is also important to protect the driveway from the heavyweight of parked vehicles. Depending on what the driveway will be used for, the base may need to be 4 to 12 inches. Ideally, 6 inches of crushed stone or gravel should be used for most driveways. Proper application requires that the driveway hole be dug out, and the soil has to be prepared. Concrete Network explains that the two levels underneath driveways include the subgrade of native soil topped with a subbase of gravel underneath the concrete slab. The best sub-base for a concrete slab is gravel. The soil has to be prepped first before the gravel can be laid down; pouring concrete directly onto rock is not considered a best practice.