Reducing environmental impact of construction

According to the definition of the European Commission,

A circular economy aims to maintain the value of products, materials and resources for as long as possible by returning them into the product cycle at the end of their use, while minimising the generation of waste. The fewer products we discard, the less materials we extract, the better for our environment.

• Therefore, the right approach to reduce the impact of construction on the environment needs to include two important variables in the equation:
• Concrete waste can be reused, but this operation is not environmentally neutral.

Extend concrete structures service life is better than demolishing and rebuild

Service life extension of existing concrete structures through careful protection and repair and a commitment to long-term maintenance dilutes the environmental impact of the massive use of concrete as it minimises the need for rebuilding reducing the extraction of new materials and the amount of waste generated.

Durability is sustainability

As water is involved in the majority of concrete degradation processes, improving the durability of concrete will always be linked to the implementation of measures to protect it from water and the different aggressive agents that may be dissolved in it.

For example, the corrosion of reinforcement rebars in concrete structures exposed to seawater containing chlorides or biogenic corrosion in wastewater treatment plants or biogas digesters are common issues. Furthermore, other structures like industrial plants where chemicals are stored or manipulated, may also be exposed to aggressive conditions that can limit the durability of concrete elements.

Implementing measures to prevent concrete degradation is preferable, but if damage occurs, immediate maintenance is important to minimize disruption and cost-effective over the structure's life cycle compared to extensive repairs or demolition.

Environmental Product Declarations vs. Building Life Cycle Analysis

In this white paper, Albert Berenguel demonstrates that to minimize concrete environmental impact, it's not enough to consider only the embodied carbon of solutions used to extend a concrete structure's service life. Suitability to exposure conditions and impact on durability should also be assessed in the building LCA to minimize future interventions and additional economic and environmental costs.

To download the white paper, please fill de form.