With green building initiatives at the forefront of construction, builders are specifically looking to use sustainable materials. Concrete is a particular area of focus in sustainability initiatives. That’s because cement, the key ingredient that gives concrete its strength, has a large environmental footprint. However, the industry is finding innovative ways to benefit from the unparalleled strength, durability, cost-efficiency, and resiliency of concrete – while using less of it.
For example, post-tensioned concrete has become an appealing alternative for mid-rise and high-rise buildings. Most structural engineers and architects know post-tensioned concrete includes allowance for thinner members, longer spans, reduced deflections, and reduced costs, but it is also considered a sustainable design material.
Post-tensioned concrete significantly reduces the consumption of concrete and steel in a structure compared to conventional concrete or steel with composite floor slab construction. This efficiency has a cascading benefit throughout the structure by reducing the overall self-weight of the floors transferred to columns, shear walls, and foundations. Additionally, because concrete provides superior thermal mass, the costs for heating and cooling a building long term will be significantly reduced.
Another green innovation we are seeing is the use of voided concrete slabs or voided biaxial slabs. These reinforced concrete slabs incorporate air-filled voids to reduce the volume of concrete required, enabling less environmental impact. The plastic “bubbles” that make up the voids are typically made from recycled plastics, which adds to a greener footprint of the structure. Additionally, the subsequent weight reduction allows for longer spans or thinner slabs. This material has been particularly beneficial in the new construction of industrial buildings, warehouses, and data centers.