A comprehensive approach for making sustainable use of concrete during design and construction

Abstract

Growing environmental concerns highlight the importance of moving towards more sustainable development. Since construction is one of the main consumers of materials and a huge source of negative environmental impacts, implementing sustainable measures in it, plays a significant role in controlling the impacts of development. Concrete as the most widely used man-made material on the planet, has a remarkable role in making the construction industry more sustainable. Despite the advancements in enhancing concrete over the decades in terms of structural properties and technological aspects, sustainability aspects of the concrete industry have not been improving as much. Considering the increasing demands for concrete and the growing environmental concerns about production and consumption of concrete, vigorous attempts to make the concrete industry more sustainable is a necessity. This review paper is a result of comprehensive study of research findings, policies and recommendations as well as efforts made in making concrete production and consumption more sustainable. Based on this, ten chief recommendations regarding sustainable use of concrete during design and construction phases are provided. Advantages of application, and recommendations for implementation are also provided. Based on this, the paper aims at: 1) increasing awareness about the necessity of implementing sustainable measure in use of concrete by highlighting the significant role of concrete in sustainability and 2) providing an informative handout for professionals of design and construction to get more familiar with some of the most effective policies and solutions regarding sustainable use of concrete.