SUSTAINABLE CONCRETE FOR APPLICATIONS

K K Ganguly

Abstract: An attempt has been made to study the qualities of concrete, in a limited manner, to satisfy the requirements of sustainability and green building design and as a building material. Considering the seminar to be on tall structures, comments are made briefly on the issues related to tall buildings covering column sizes, spacing of columns, soft storey condition, floating columns etc. in the layout for structural design. Concrete has been used as an efficient, versatile and durable material for high-rise buildings and for other applications for a long time. Sustainability has been discussed broadly, in this presentation, to cover different aspects and associated items. Main emphasis, however, is placed to comment on the influence of concrete on green building design, effect on environment, emission of green-house gasses, use of carbon negative aggregates and contribution for carbon capturing capacity of concrete. Further, discussion on the emission of green-house gases and some control on CO2 emission has been done briefly. Exploring the use of OPC, blended cement or geo-polymer as binder for concreting has been included. Discussion on the choice of selection of a suitable and sustainable building material from concrete and steel has been included. The comments on the performance of concrete against fire and blast are added. For assessment and confirmation on appropriate design approach both LEED & GRIHA requirements have been mentioned highlighting the basis of ratings and points against different categories. Main credit areas for assessment have also been referred. It is concluded that concrete is an efficient and sustainable material for design and construction and will cause less environmental damage than structural steel. The same may be used along with other associated materials to meet design requirements, in different projects, with confidence and certification for high rating can be aimed for

Keywords: RCC, Tall buildings, Sustainability, environment, greenhouse gases by concrete, Fire & blast, Assessment (LEED, GRIHA), Environmental impact

DOI: https://doi.org/10.15623/ijret.2016.0532038