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
