Title: Concrete Technology for Sustainable Development

Author(s): P. Kumar Mehta

Publication: Concrete International

Volume: 21

Issue: 11

Appears on pages(s): 47-53

Keywords: concrete technology; durability; field practice; infrastructure; research

DOI:

Date: 11/1/1999

Abstract:
Current trends show that infrastructure needs for our rapidly industrializing world will continue to require large amounts of low cost building materials, such as portland cement concrete. This need will have to be balanced against another equally important human need, namely the preservation of the life-sustaining environment on the planet earth, which is being threatened by the uncontrolled use of natural resources and increasing amounts of environmental pollution. This answers the question why the issue of sustainable industrial development has recently assumed great importance. A difficult question to answer is how sustainable development will happen. In this paper, an attempt is made to identify the essential principles that must be laid before the edifice of sustainable development of the concrete industry can be built. The following issues are examined in detail: conservation of concrete-making materials, enhancement of durability of concrete structures, and a paradigm shift from the reductionistic to a holistic approach in concrete technology research and field practice.