Concrete and Sustainability

Concrete is by far the most common building material— accounting for twice the volume of all other such materials combined. With such a huge global economic impact, the industry has a correspondingly considerable responsibility to use it sustainably. Written by experts who pioneered research into environmental issues and concrete, Concrete and Sustainability examines the sustainability issues of the world’s main construction material and proposes attainable solutions. It provides a complete overview of the topic and tackles the complexity of the challenges from different angles.

This book offers new data regarding the social and economic importance of concrete and proposes a discussion centered on a holistic approach in terms of resource availability, technical viability, economic feasibility, and environmental compatibility. The authors attribute a growing worldwide concern and understanding of sustainability issues, and an increased focus on climate change as the catalyst in this process. Instead of offering detailed technical advice or recommendations on sustainable issues, they provide examples showcasing sustainability efforts taking place in the concrete environment worldwide. The book includes examples and ideas for solutions from a large number of countries from across the globe.

It presents a holistic and more complete overview of the emission and absorption topic, takes a look at the challenges from a combined old and new world viewing platform and offers an exploration of issues from a social and economic perspective. Concrete and Sustainability details the various rules and regulations that the industry is facing, discusses the various environmental challenges, and explores its impact. As emission, absorptions, and recycling have been the most central elements of discussion in the cement and concrete environment so far, these topics each receive their own chapters. This book also discusses other issues of concern within the various platforms in the industry, as well as future developments, and provides a comprehensive reference list.

Author Biography

Per Jahren is semi-retired and has in later years concentrated most of his time on writing. He has written more than 150 papers, articles, and books on concrete, and given lectures on concrete subjects, and concrete and sustainability. He received a master’s degree in civil engineering, from the Norwegian Technical University, and is a former chairman, and honorary member of the Norwegian Concrete Society. Since 1986, he has been involved in his own company, P.J. Consult AS. Per Jahren became interested in environmental issues in the cement and concrete industry in his career and gave his first paper on the topic over thirty years ago.

Sui Tongbo

, is the founder and director general of Sinoma Research Institute and vice president of China Sinoma International Engineering Co. Ltd. As a professor, his focus is in the R&D of low energy and low CO2 emission cements. Before joining Sinoma International, he was engaged in the R&D of special cements and new cementitious materials at China Building Materials Academy (CBMA). Dr. Tongbo graduated from the Department of Applied Chemistry in the Shandong Building Materials Institute with a BS degree, and from the Department of Inorganic Materials Science and Engineering in the China Building Materials Academy with an MS and PhD degree.