The Top 10 Ways to Reduce Concrete’s Carbon Footprint

Sponsored by Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Learning Objectives:

  1. Explain the basics of the embodied carbon of concrete.
  2. Evaluate the immediate steps that can be taken to reduce the carbon footprint when specifying concrete.
  3. Prioritize design strategies to get the greatest reductions in carbon footprint using current technologies and design tools.
  4. Explore how innovative technologies will result in zero carbon concrete in the future.

Credits:

HSW
1 AIA LU/HSW
GBCI
1 GBCI CE Hour
ICC
0.1 ICC CEU
IACET
0.1 IACET CEU*
AIBD
1 AIBD P-CE
AAA
AAA 1 Structured Learning Hour
AANB
This course can be self-reported to the AANB, as per their CE Guidelines
AAPEI
AAPEI 1 Structured Learning Hour
MAA
MAA 1 Structured Learning Hour
NLAA
This course can be self-reported to the NLAA.
NSAA
This course can be self-reported to the NSAA
NWTAA
NWTAA 1 Structured Learning Hour
OAA
OAA 1 Learning Hour
SAA
SAA 1 Hour of Core Learning
 
This course can be self-reported to the AIBC, as per their CE Guidelines.
As an IACET Accredited Provider, BNP Media offers IACET CEUs for its learning events that comply with the ANSI/IACET Continuing Education and Training Standard.
This course is approved as a Structured Course
This course can be self-reported to the AANB, as per their CE Guidelines
Approved for structured learning
Approved for Core Learning
This course can be self-reported to the NLAA
Course may qualify for Learning Hours with NWTAA
Course eligible for OAA Learning Hours
This course is approved as a core course
This course can be self-reported for Learning Units to the Architectural Institute of British Columbia

Design and construction teams can implement 10 simple strategies in order to reduce concrete’s carbon footprint. The strategies are meant to achieve a lower carbon footprint without impacting the other traditional performance criteria for concrete.

Concrete is unique among building materials. Its formulation is highly influenced by its application. Design professionals and contractors have a greater influence on concrete formulation than they do with other building products. Concrete can be made stronger, lighter, more flowable, stiffer, less permeable, and even weaker depending on the performance needs. All of these formulations can be made at the same factory within minutes of one another. No other building material is that versatile.

Concrete does not rot, rust, or burn. It can be exposed to the elements or for architectural reasons. Concrete is economical, available nearly everywhere, and made from the most abundant materials on the planet, usually from local sources. This course provides the top 10 ways to get all the benefits of concrete at a lower carbon footprint.

Top 10 Ways

Communicating innovative solutions to contractors and producers in regard to carbon reduction goals during the design process is critical.

Photo courtesy of jamesteohart

 

Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

Build with Strength, a coalition of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, educates the building and design communities and policymakers on the benefits of ready mixed concrete, and encourages its use as the building material of choice. No other material can replicate concrete’s advantages in terms of strength, durability, safety and ease of use.

 

Originally published in May 2021

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