Resource Efficiency
Joint Sustainability
Initiative
The Joint Sustainability Initiative (JSI) is a multi-association effort
of the Concrete Industry
supply chain to take unified and integrated action for
Sustainable Development
JSI members have signed a joint agreement committing to act
on 9 Declarations.
Declaration #4 addresses 8 Social Values of Concrete Structures
http://www.concretejsi.com/about/declaration.HTM
Declaration #4:
“Our integrated thinking will focus on the following
Social Values provided by Concrete Structures”:
1. Resource efficiency 5. By-product reduction
2. Safety/protection 6. Aesthetics
3. Financial responsibility 7. Societal connectivity
4. Operational continuity 8. Longevity/durability
What it means
Concrete Structures over their lifecycle are efficient
users of energy, water, land and other resources
Social Value: Resource Efficiency
Materials ResourcesDurabilityRecycled Content
Energy ResourcesLocally acquiredStructures and pavement
Water resourcesPervious pavements
Resource Efficiency
Cost savings by not finishing
floors, walls, etc. Structure, air
barrier and finish in one integrated
system Easily repairable
Resource Efficiency
Photo courtesy of L. M Schofield
Materials Acquisition Impacts
Resource Impact Index
Concrete
Aggregate QuarryingLimestone Quarrying
1.001.50
Steel Iron Ore Mining 2.25
Wood
Boreal Timber HarvestingCoastal Timber Harvesting
2.503.25
Source: Natural Resources Canada
Integrated Design = Success!
4,000 psi vs 9,000 psi concrete?
Additional 3,120 rentable square feet
16% less cement 1,730 yards less concrete 3,400 tons less weight
Reduce CO2 by 220,000 lbs
Design Flexibility / Optimization
Ryerson Conservation Center, Lake County, IL
60,000 gallon concrete cistern provides both
Fire Protection & Thermal Storage
Multi-tasking Material
Energy Resources
Did you know? Average distance
between manufacturing and project site is only
14.2 miles?
Concrete roads: Minimize urban
heat island effects
Have lower rolling resistance
Require less fuel during construction
Energy Resource Efficiency
Concrete bridges and other infrastructure
Durability Accelerated
construction schedule
Reduced maintenance
Resource Efficiency
Land and Water Resources
Land and Water Resources
Reduction of floor and wall finishes
Improved thermal comfort
Reduced sound transmission
No food source for mold growth
Resource Efficiency
125+ million tons/year
Cradle to Cradle
Integral waterproofing
Photo-catalytic concrete
Nanocements Seawater-based
cement and aggregates
Looking Forward
New supplemental cementitious materials, such as rice husk ash
Light-transmitting concrete
Carbonation research
Looking Forward
Fundamental to sustainability for future generations
Durability and efficiency affects both maintenance and replacement
Extends beyond construction materials to include water, land use, and energy
Summary
Thank You• American Concrete Institute
• American Shotcrete Association
• American Society of Concrete Contractors
• Architectural Precast Association
• Cast Stone Institute
• Concrete Foundations Association
• Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute
• Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association
• Interlocking Concrete Pavement Institute
• International Concrete Repair Institute
• National Concrete Masonry Association
• National Precast Concrete Association
• National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
• Portland Cement Association
• Post-Tensioning Institute
• Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute
• RMC Research and Education Foundation
• Silica Fume Association
• Tile Roofing Institute
• Tilt-Up Concrete Association