Materials
found that after a 30-year analysis period , 5.8 million tons of CO 2 could be sequestered , with 2.8 million tons of CO 2 coming from the use phase and three million tons of
CO 2 coming from the end-of-life phase .
Performance-engineered concrete
One often-overlooked aspect of sustainability is resilience . Resilience is the ability to withstand , respond to , and recover rapidly after a disruptive event such as a flood , earthquake or other severe weather event . In a changing climate where extreme weather events are greater in frequency and intensity than in the past , it is impossible to have sustainable infrastructure without resilience . With its unique strength , durability , and load distributing properties , concrete is one of the most resilient building materials available .
The challenge presented to global and local communities is how to build more durable structures using concrete , while minimizing the carbon emissions generated during the manufacturing and supplying of cement and concrete . Achieving sustainability during this phase begins with addressing the embodied environmental impact of concrete and its mix ingredients .
Fortunately , the concrete pavement industry and others across the concrete value chain are working together to implement the Portland Cement Association ’ s Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality , with a goal of achieving net zero carbon emissions by 2050 . Current efforts focus on reducing the carbon footprint of cement ( the ingredient with the most significant environmental impact ) by using Portland-limestone cement or supplementary cementitious materials ( SCMs ) to replace all or part of the ordinary Portland cement in a mix . Performanceengineered concrete mixtures take the process a step further by not only optimizing the use of SCMs and Portland-limestone cement content in the mix , but optimizing aggregate gradation and sourcing , as well .
Considering its resilience and its sustainability benefits , concrete is wellpositioned to address the planet ’ s climate change concerns . The American Concrete Pavement Association ( ACPA ) has more information in its white paper , ‘ Concrete Pavement ’ s Role in a Sustainable , Resilient Future .’ ■
For a list of the sources used in this article , please contact the editor .
Steve Friess www . acpa . org
Steve Friess is Chairman of the Board at the American Concrete Pavement Association . The American Concrete Pavement Association ( ACPA ) is the national trade association for the concrete pavement industry . ACPA ’ s mission is to develop and protect concrete pavement markets through education , advocacy , marketing , and industry technical leadership . ACPA ’ s vision is for concrete to be the pavement material of choice , benefitting communities and society within US state and local economies . Founded in 1963 , ACPA is the world ’ s largest trade association that exclusively represents the interests of those involved with the design , construction , and preservation of concrete pavements .
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