Reading practice - Matching names 1

 

Navigating Sustainable Construction: Unveiling Alternatives to Concrete

Concrete, an integral part of modern construction, is facing scrutiny due to its environmental impact. In the pursuit of sustainable building materials, scientists and industry experts are exploring innovative alternatives. This article presents insights from five key figures, each offering a unique perspective on the quest for eco-friendly construction materials.

Chris Cheeseman, an engineering professor at Imperial College London, underscores the global scale of concrete usage. While acknowledging that concrete itself is not inherently high-carbon, Cheeseman emphasizes the environmental impact due to its sheer volume in construction. "Concrete is not a high-carbon product. Cement is high carbon, but concrete is not. But it is the scale on which it is used that makes it high carbon. The sheer scale of manufacture is so huge; that is the issue," he says. Cheeseman stresses the necessity for alternatives that can match concrete's efficiency on a large scale.

Markus Mannstrom, Vice President of Stora Enso, Europe's leading supplier of cross-laminated timber, discusses the increasing global demand for wooden construction. Mannstrom notes that climate change concerns are driving architects to consider treated timber as a resource. "Wooden buildings can be constructed at a greater speed than concrete and steel, and the process is quieter," he highlights. However, Mannstrom acknowledges that treated wood has limitations and underscores the need for proven success in a variety of construction projects to establish it as a genuine alternative to concrete.

Anna Surgenor, representing the UK’s Green Building Council, delves into alternatives like fly ash and iron-ore slag. These waste products can be incorporated into concrete mixes to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. However, Surgenor cautions, "It's possible to replace the cement content in concrete with waste products to lower the overall carbon impact, but there are several calculations that need to be considered across the entire life cycle of the building." She emphasizes the importance of considering factors like transportation, as it could affect the overall carbon reduction perspective.

Felix Preston and Johanna Lehne of the UK’s Royal Institute of International Affairs offer an overarching view of innovation in the concrete industry. They note that while novel cements have been discussed for over a decade within the research community, they face challenges. "At present, these alternatives are rarely as cost-effective as conventional cement, and they face raw-material shortages and resistance from customers," they conclude. This insight highlights the complexities of introducing new materials into the construction industry and the need for overcoming economic and market challenges.

Returning to Chris Cheeseman, he highlights the remarkable properties of concrete, including its moldability and the synergy with steel, making it challenging to replicate. "Concrete is amazing stuff. Making anything with similar properties is going to be very difficult," he notes. Cheeseman underscores the necessity for innovation and human ingenuity to develop alternatives that can match concrete's versatility and strength.

Questions 6-13

Look at the following statements (Questions 9-13) and the list of people below.

Match each statement with the correct person, A, B, C or D.

Write the correct letter, A, B, C or D, in boxes 9-13 on your answer sheet.

NB   You may use any letter more than once.

 

1. Although it is not as high-carbon as cement due to its large manufacturing scale, concrete still has a significant level of carbon.

2. The poor response to the creation of new cements has been partially explained by high expense.

3. It would be challenging to develop a concrete substitute for construction that provides so many equivalent advantages.

4. Compared to concrete and steel, wooden houses can be built faster and more silently.

5. The significance of taking transportation into account because it may have an impact on the bigger picture on decreasing carbon emissions.

 

List of People

A     Chris Cheeseman

B     Markus Mannstrom

C     Anna Surgenor

D     Felix Preston and Johanna Lehne