MIT Releases Concrete Sustainability Report
Posted by NotMike at 8:30 AM
This week, research conducted by the Massachusetts Institute of Technologys (MIT) Concrete Sustainability Hub was released, and contributes significant findings to the understanding of the life cycle of concrete structures. The comprehensive study covers all aspects of concrete structures lives, and reports on the inherent economic and environmental benefits of concrete construction.
Ill give you the Cliffs Notes version: Concrete is better, and it doesnt really matter what youre building. Significant fuel savings can be had when vehicles are driven on concrete roads. Properly designed concrete buildings can take advantage of concretes increased thermal mass, saving energy and costs in heating and cooling. In fact, Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) construction methodology allows up to a 20% reduction in the operational costs versus wood-framed homes.
And I will say that concrete highways do seem to be some of the nicest Ive ever driven. And with a 75-year expected lifespan for most modern concrete construction, the total cost of ownership does look quite appealing.
