Encourage the Use of High Volume Fly Ash
Concrete is used in nearly every (if not every) construction project known to man. Whether it be for footings, slabs, poured concrete walls, insulated concrete forms (ICFs), or even kitchen countertops, concrete is just one of those building materials that is a must-have for any sound structure.
As with any building material, concrete does have its drawbacks. It can crack or crumble if not mixed, poured, or treated properly and disposing of overages can be problematic. One of the largest and most environmentally harmful drawbacks to concrete is that it contains Portland cement, which is single-handedly responsible for about seven percent of our global carbon dioxide production. If you think seven percent isn’t significant, think of it this way: the amount of CO2 released into our atmosphere by the production of concrete that contains Portland cement is equivalent to 330 million vehicles driving 12,500 miles per year!
The good news is that the building industry has found a plausible solution to this that we need to encourage all concrete associations to adopt. By replacing Portland cement with high volume fly ash (HVFA) in the fabrication of concrete, the earth and its inhabitants stand to gain significant benefits.
Fly ash is a by-product of coal-powered plants that formerly had no use and was being dumped in large quantities into our landfills. While it contains some heavy metals that experts worry will worsen our air quality, having it locked into concrete means it will emit far less toxins into the air than it would if sitting exposed in a landfill.
By comparison, HVFA concrete is much more advantageous to people and the planet than conventional concrete.
- It takes less energy and water and is cheaper to produce.
- It’s stronger and more durable - experts say that it is less likely to shrink and/or crack over time.
- It creates fewer global warming gases.
- By using a by-product in its production it also helps to lessen landfill clutter and the harmful gases it releases into the atmosphere.
HVFA concrete is also a denser material than conventional concrete, allowing it a smoother finish. Additionally, because the production of HVFA concrete uses a by-product, it is considered a recycled building product. Combine that with the fact that it’s a more environmentally friendly material than regular concrete and you’ve just found a product that can earn you more LEED points if your project is seeking green certification.
Many ready-mix associations are already using some amount of HVFA in their concrete production, but not all are doing so and not many of them have eliminated the use of Portland cement from their practices completely. If you’re getting ready for a construction project that will us concrete, call around and find out what companies in your area are using and suggest that they use HVFA concrete. Hopefully you’ll be pleasantly surprised that they are already using HVFA, but if not, encourage them to green up their production.