Reading practice - Matching names 2

 

Concrete and its alternatives

Concrete, a fundamental component of contemporary construction practices, finds itself under intense scrutiny due to its adverse environmental impact. In the relentless pursuit of sustainable building materials, a cohort of dedicated scientists and industry experts has embarked on an exploration of inventive alternatives. This article endeavors to illuminate the discourse by presenting profound insights from five distinguished figures, each contributing a distinctive perspective to the ongoing quest for eco-friendly construction materials.

Alex Thompson, an esteemed engineering professor at Imperial College London, emphasizes the magnitude of global concrete usage. While acknowledging that concrete itself is not inherently high-carbon, Thompson accentuates the environmental repercussions stemming from its staggering volume in construction projects. "Concrete is not a high-carbon product. Cement is high carbon, but concrete is not. However, it is the sheer scale of its usage that renders it high carbon. The enormity of the manufacturing process is the crux of the issue," he expounds. Thompson passionately underscores the imperative for alternatives capable of matching concrete's efficiency on a grand scale.

Mia Johnson, the Vice President of Stora Enso, Europe's premier supplier of cross-laminated timber, delves into the escalating global demand for wooden construction. Johnson discerns that concerns about climate change are compelling architects to consider treated timber as a sustainable resource. "Wooden buildings can be erected at a greater speed than those made of concrete and steel, and the process is quieter," she points out. However, Johnson concedes that treated wood has its limitations, underscoring the need for proven success across a diverse array of construction projects to firmly establish it as a bona fide alternative to concrete.

Evan Miller, representing the UK’s Green Building Council, delves into alternatives such as fly ash and iron-ore slag. These waste products hold the promise of being incorporated into concrete mixes to curtail greenhouse gas emissions. Nevertheless, Miller cautiously remarks, "It's conceivable to replace the cement content in concrete with waste products to diminish the overall carbon impact, but a myriad of calculations must be considered throughout the entire life cycle of the building." He places significant emphasis on factoring in elements like transportation, as they could significantly influence the overall perspective on carbon reduction.

Taking a broader perspective, Olivia Walker and Liam Turner of the UK’s Royal Institute of International Affairs offer an encompassing view of innovation in the concrete industry. They highlight that while novel cements have been under discussion within the research community for over a decade, they face formidable challenges. "Presently, these alternatives are seldom as cost-effective as conventional cement, and they encounter raw-material shortages and resistance from customers," they conclude. This insightful observation brings to light the intricate complexities associated with introducing new materials into the construction industry and emphasizes the necessity of overcoming economic and market challenges.

Revisiting Alex Thompson's perspective, he accentuates the extraordinary properties of concrete, including its moldability and synergy with steel, rendering replication a formidable challenge. "Concrete is an extraordinary material. Producing anything with similar properties is bound to be exceedingly difficult," he asserts. Thompson underscores the vital role of innovation and human ingenuity in the development of alternatives capable of matching concrete's unparalleled versatility and strength.

Questions 1-5

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. Multiple calculations should be taken into consideration when other materials are used to replace cement.

2. Producing any material sharing comparable qualities with concrete will undoubtedly be very challenging.

3. Other alternative materials are often more expensive than traditional cement.

4. A component of concrete is high-carbon, not concrete itself.

5. Timber, which is treated, has its own weeknesses in construction practices.

List of People

A     Alex Thompson

B     Mia Johnson

C     Evan Miller

D     Olivia Walker and Liam Turner