Sustainability quantification of concrete structures

Sustainability quantification of concrete structures

en

Efficient sustainability management of concrete structures requires the use of tools which allow material, technological and construction variants to be quantified, measured or compared. These tools can be used as a powerful marketing aid and as support for the transition to a “circular economy”. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) procedures are also used, aside from other approaches. LCA is a method that evaluates the life cycle of a structure from the point of view of its impact on the environment. Consideration is also given to energy and raw material costs, as well as to environmental impact throughout the life cycle – e.g. due to emissions. The paper focuses on the quantification of sustainability connected with the use of various types of concrete with regard to their resistance to degradation. Sustainability coefficients are determined using information regarding service life and eco-costs. The aim is to propose a suitable methodology which can simplify decision-making regarding the design and choice of concrete mixes from a wider perspective, i.e. not only with regard to load-bearing capacity or durability.

Efficient sustainability management of concrete structures requires the use of tools which allow material, technological and construction variants to be quantified, measured or compared. These tools can be used as a powerful marketing aid and as support for the transition to a “circular economy”. Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) procedures are also used, aside from other approaches. LCA is a method that evaluates the life cycle of a structure from the point of view of its impact on the environment. Consideration is also given to energy and raw material costs, as well as to environmental impact throughout the life cycle – e.g. due to emissions. The paper focuses on the quantification of sustainability connected with the use of various types of concrete with regard to their resistance to degradation. Sustainability coefficients are determined using information regarding service life and eco-costs. The aim is to propose a suitable methodology which can simplify decision-making regarding the design and choice of concrete mixes from a wider perspective, i.e. not only with regard to load-bearing capacity or durability.