Today we are looking for alternatives to concrete because we are very concerned about the sustainability of this industry. Let's take a look at the history of the development of concrete.
Concrete is an artificial material widely used throughout the world. It is a composite material made from sand, gravel, water and cement. The word concrete comes from the Latin word “concretus”, which means “to grow together”.
The first concrete was developed in Ancient Rome and consisted of volcanic ash mixed with lime and water. But it wasn't until 1824, when Joseph Aspdin developed a recipe for modern Portland cement, that concrete began to be widely used.
3 benefits of using a concrete alternative
Concrete is a widely used construction material. It is easy to process and has many advantages such as durability. However, there are also concrete disadvantages that must be taken into account.
There are many alternatives to concrete that can be used in place of concrete to achieve the same benefits without the disadvantages. Here are three benefits of using a concrete alternative:
1) Concrete alternatives have higher insulation values than concrete. This means they can reduce energy consumption by up to 30%.
2) Concrete alternatives are more environmentally friendly and sustainable than concrete because, unlike concrete, they do not emit carbon dioxide during their production and throughout their useful life.
3) Concrete alternatives do not contain toxic chemicals and are therefore safer for the people who work with them or live around them.
What advantages does an environmentally friendly alternative offer for your construction project?
There are many benefits to using environmentally friendly alternatives for construction projects. The first is that it is sustainable. Eco-friendly materials are made from renewable resources and also have a low carbon footprint. Another advantage is that these materials are cheaper to use than concrete or steel.
Many people believe that these eco-friendly alternatives to concrete are not strong or durable enough, but that is not the case. There are some environmentally friendly alternatives to concrete that can be stronger than concrete, depending on the manufacturing process.
Some of the concrete alternatives are
- Recycled plastic
- Ash concrete
- Green concrete
- blast furnace slag
- Concrete paper
- bamboo
- glass concrete
- Hemp Concrete
- Microsilicates
Let's briefly look at all the material.
Recycled plastic
Plastic is one of the most wasteful materials in the world. Plastic takes up to 500 years to decompose in a landfill.
However, there are many ways to convert this waste into something useful. One possibility is to recycle and produce tiles and concrete. This process reduces the need for mining and extraction and also saves energy as no additional heat or chemicals are required.
Another way to reuse plastic is to use it as insulation for internal spaces, such as walls and roofs. This reduces the need for other materials, such as wood or foam board, which take longer to decompose than plastic, thus reducing our carbon footprint on the environment.
Another application of recycled plastic is
- PVC Windows
- brick
- fences
- tiles
- Carpeted floor
- Ceiling tiles
Ashcrete as an alternative building material
Ashcrete is a building material made from fly ash, borate, bottom ash and chlorine compounds. The use of Ashcrete as a concrete alternative (construction material) is still in its initial phase.
It offers numerous advantages, such as being fire and earthquake proof.
Because it is made from natural materials such as lime, sand, water and ash, it also has a very low carbon footprint.
Given the growing concern for the environment, this construction material can be a good solution for sustainable construction. Some of the benefits of Ashcrete are:
- durability
- Acid resistance
- High fire resistance
- Cheap stuff
- Environmentally friendly
- Good processability
Green concrete as an alternative material for concrete
Concrete is a widely used material in construction that has been in use for over 50 years.
However, a lot of CO is produced during the production of concrete 2 -emissions. In order to reduce the environmental impact of concrete, new types of concrete are being developed and researched.
One of these materials is green concrete – it is made from recycled materials such as glass, plastic and metal.
Green concrete has greater resistance than traditional concrete. It is also easier to process and because it requires less nitrogen, carbon dioxide and sulfuric acid to produce it, emissions from green concrete are at least 75% lower.
Green cement is made by mixing recycled glass, metal and plastic with regular cement. It has the same physical properties as conventional cement, but is 50% lighter.
Blast furnace slag as an alternative material
Blast furnace slag is a byproduct of blast furnace production. It is a fine, dark gray to black powder that forms when iron ore, coke and limestone are heated to extreme temperatures.
The material has several advantages, including low cost and versatility of use.
However, the disadvantages of this material include that it cannot be used as an aggregate in the production of concrete, as it contains significant amounts of sulfates and other soluble salts that can react with the cement and cause it to fail.
The material has several advantages, including its low cost and its ability to be used as a concrete alternative in various applications. However, one of the disadvantages of this material is that it cannot be used as aggregate in the production of concrete, as it contains significant amounts of sulfates and other soluble salts that can react with the cement and cause its failure.
Bamboo as an alternative to concrete as a building material
Bamboo is a sustainable and renewable resource that can be used as an alternative building material. It is an environmentally friendly material that can resist natural disasters.
The argument in favor of bamboo as a building material is based on the fact that it is one of the fastest growing plants in the world. Bamboo can grow up to 3 meters tall every day and can regenerate from its roots or rhizomes when felled, making it a sustainable and renewable resource.
The use of bamboo as a building material was popularized by architects such as Shigeru Ban, who used the properties of this plant in their architectural projects.
Bamboo is also considered an environmentally friendly building material as it does not require fertilizers, pesticides or herbicides to grow.
Glass concrete as an alternative building material
Glass concrete is a new building material that has become increasingly popular in recent years.
Glasscrete is made from recycled glass and concrete, making it durable and sustainable. It is also fire resistant, making it an excellent choice for situations where safety is an issue.
Glasscrete is an excellent option for use in high and low volume areas as it is a blend of recycled materials. It can also be used in situations where there are environmental concerns, such as: B. in a stream, river or tidal area.
Hemp concrete as an alternative building material
Hemp concrete, a type of building material, is created by mixing hemp straw with a limestone binder and water. This material has many advantages that make it an attractive alternative to other building materials.
One of the main advantages of this material is that it is sustainable and environmentally friendly. No fossil fuels are used in the production of hemp concrete, so, unlike other construction materials, it does not contribute to greenhouse gas emissions. It is also lighter than concrete, making it easier for construction workers to transport and process.
The idea of hemp concrete was first developed in France in the late 1980s by Jean-Pierre Dutilleux and Jean-Paul Fitoussi. They were looking for an alternative to traditional building materials like concrete because they wanted something more environmentally friendly. They experimented with different recipes until they found one that was environmentally friendly and a concrete economical alternative.
Microsilicates as an alternative building material
Using microsilicates, a mineral found in sand, as an alternative building material is one of the most promising innovations that could help solve the global housing shortage.
Microsilicates have been used to make glass and ceramics for over a century. They are also used to make various types of insulation. It has recently been discovered that microsilicates are an ideal building material because they can be molded into any shape and are cheaper to produce than other building materials.
