Sustainable Development

Question 1

What is sustainable development?

Answer 1

Development that meets our needs without compromising the needs of future generations

Question 2

What are the 3 R’s of sustainability. Rank them in order of efficiency.

Answer 2

1. Reduce
2. Reuse
3. Recycle

Question 3

Name characteristics of sustainable materials

Answer 3

1. Reusable
2. Local production or extraction
3. Durable
4. Recyclable
5. Minimal pollution when manufactured
6. Minimal energy required to produce

Question 4

What is the issue with cement industry regarding sustainability?

Answer 4

Cement companies has a very small profit margin meaning that the industry cannot change much

Question 5

What is the problem with concrete and steel industry?

Answer 5

1. Large use of ressources
2. Large production of CO2
3. No known materials can replace steel or concrete

Question 6

Name CO2 emissions in concrete industry

Answer 6

1. Material manufacturing (cement, steel, aggregates)
2. Concrete manufacturing
3. Demolition and recycling
4. Construction

Question 7

What are ways to reduce?

Answer 7

1. IMPROVED DURABILITY: if a building last twice as long, you only have to rebuild it half as many times
2. Reduce size of buildings where space is not necessary (bigger house for no reason)

Question 8

How can the concrete industry become more sustainable?

Answer 8

1. Manufacturing Portland cement more efficiently
2. Using waste materials as fuel
3. Making concrete more durable
4. Using recycled concrete as aggregates
5. Replacing Portland cement with SCM’s (supplementary cementing materials) or fillers

Question 9

What are the 4 time scales?

Answer 9

1. Past
2. Present
3. Future (10-50 years)
4. Far future (50+ years)

Question 10

What are the 5 stages of a products life?

Answer 10

1. Resource or material extraction
2. Manufacturing operation
3. Packaging, shipping and installation
4. Consumption
5. Deterioration, degradation