Concrete for Living Walls: Current Status and a New Design Recommendation

Abstract

Concrete may be a promising material for application in living walls, broadening existing vertical greening systems and, most importantly, reducing installation costs. This study presents the concept of layered living concrete (LLC) wall panels that were developed and field-tested over the past 3 years. Simultaneously with long-term field observations, several laboratory studies on the selection of a rational concrete mix composition were carried out. Based on field data, the results of laboratory tests, and numerical simulations, a new LLC wall panel design was proposed. The new panel design retains the previous idea of a layered structure suitable for natural colonization by plants, but also adds improved material characteristics, rational dimensions, the economical use of water, and, potentially, the ability to hasten the greening of vertical surfaces.