“Green” concrete is a building material produced in a sustainable way, with a conscious concern for ecology and care for the environment. The following are the characteristics that make a concrete to be qualified as “green”:
-Recycled materials: a significant proportion of recycled materials are used in the mix of green concrete, so that the need to extract natural resources for its production is proportionally reduced.
–Reduced carbon footprint: By reducing the amount of Portland type cement in green concrete, as its production is a major source of CO2 emissions, greenhouse gases are reduced.
-Use of additives and advanced technologies: Green concrete incorporates additives and technologies that improve its durability and efficiency, reducing the need for maintenance and long-term repairs in the buildings where it is used.
-Increased energy efficiency: green concrete can be optimised to improve its thermal insulation capacity, contributing to the energy efficiency of the buildings in which it is used.
-Moderate water use: practices are applied in its production that reduce the amount of water needed in its mixing, thus contributing to the conservation of this vital resource.
-Promotion of green spaces: According to its composition and application, green concrete will facilitate the growth of plants on its surface; this not only benefits the environment, but also beautifies urban areas.
In all these ways, green concrete construction maintains a genuine commitment to the preservation of the environment. It is green precisely because it makes use of recycled materials, reduces the carbon footprint, offers durability, promotes energy efficiency and the responsible use of water, and contributes to creating green spaces in our cities.
By Eduardo Hernández García, Senior Structural Modeller at Amusement Logic’s Architecture Dept.
