The capabilities of using concrete in sustainable architecture
Author
Mika, Paweł
Release date
2014
Place of publication
Sofia
Publisher
STEF92 Technology Ltd.
Published in
SGEM International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conferences on Social Sciences and Arts : Arts, Performing Arts, Architecture and Design : History of Arts, Contemporary Arts, Performing and Visual Arts, Architecture and Design, 1-10 September, 2014, Albena, Bulgaria : conference proceedings
Pages
1015-1022
Language
English
ISBN
978-619-7105-30-08
DOI
10.5593/sgemsocial2014B4
Comments
SGEM 2014 : International Multidisciplinary Scientific Conferences on Social Sciences & Arts, Albena, Bulgaria 1-10.09.2014
Keywords
sustainable architecture, concrete, precasting, carbon footprint, energy efficient design
Abstract
Contemporary building materials manufacturers compete with each other in searching for a new concrete mixtures to increase the attractiveness of this material at all levels. Success can be seen in terms of life span of the products, appearance and structural strength. In the past few years, concrete has also gained a reputation as one of the most environment friendly building materials. It is difficult to decide how much of this is due to efficient marketing efforts of the manufacturers but there is no doubt, that it has many beneficial effects on energy management of the building and intensively developed new technologies have greatly expanded its range of use. The author of this article describes the main advantages of concrete as a material that participates in reducing the carbon footprint in the process of construction and exploitation of an architectural object. The studies is based on completed buildings in different regions of the world where the concrete was used as the basic structural and finishing material. As it turns out some of the popular devices installed in order to save energy seems to be unnecessary and easy to replaced by using in a conscious way one of the most popular construction materials. Conducted by the author studies lead to the conclusion that there is no such thing as energy-efficient material. Only the way it is used can make it energy-saving. Conscious and skillful use of its wide range of properties can help to minimize the negative environmental impact of buildings.
