Environmental Degradation Impacts of Concrete Use in Construction Coursework

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Environmental degradation is not specific to certain borders. Dealing with it is efficient for environmental protection to solve the many environmental issues faced by modern societies such as water and air pollution, industrial accidents, and hazardous waste among others (Croitoru, Sarraf & Arif, 2010). Concrete is a complex mixture of aggregate, cement, and water that primarily constitutes a basic and vital construction material. There are various ways that apply in the preparation of concrete, which result in varied inherent characteristics. Concrete is a key component in the construction of various structures such as brick walls, bridges, poles, and perimeter fences. Concrete is also useful in the construction of swimming pools, water dams, water reservoirs, water pipes, pavements, et cetera. Concrete technology has been applicable in construction for many centuries (Griffith 2011).

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There are various strains of concrete depending on the mode of production and the ratio of its components. Production of concrete seeks to ensure that the final product possesses vital qualities such as strength, durability, and ability to withstand heat and chemical action. Key components of concrete include aggregate, cement, and water. Aggregate refers to large pieces of material that constitute concrete. In most cases, aggregate comprises blasted rock pieces and finer constituents such as sand and gravel (Griffith 2011).

The aggregate is usually complete by a proportionate addition of cement. Portland cement is a very popular additive in the preparation of a concrete mixture. However, other materials serve a similar purpose as that of cement. Such materials include fly ash and slag cement. Another key constituent of concrete is water. Water adds to the mixture of materials thereby producing a viscous substance that produces items in various shapes (Griffith 2011). To ensure the attainment of desired strength and durability, concrete undergoes the process of hydration.

The process of hydration facilitates the reaction between water and cement, thereby establishing a compact bond that guarantees strength and durability. Various chemical components determine the specific properties of concrete. For instance, they slow down or accelerate the hardening of concrete after preparation. Such chemicals also serve as vital components in determining the inherent qualities and properties of concrete. Concrete is relatively ductile and less resistant to tension forces (Griffith 2011). This necessitates the use of strong materials such as copper to reinforce concrete and ameliorate its ability to withstand tension forces and the effects of external agents of wear and tear.

Implications of environmental management for a proposed project

Fresh motors of concrete are toxic to life in the marine. Runoff from equipment’s washing, leaking, or disposal of concrete eventually drains into waterways. This can cause serious degradation to the environment. In addition, it is also forbidden by law and mostly results in a penalty from the appropriate management system followed by a notice to clean up (Moncmanová, 2007).

Effects of Construction on Water Bodies
Image 1: Effects of Construction on Water Bodies (Greenpeace 2006).

Management of handstand construction

The purpose of proper management of handstand construction areas is to reduce the risk of environmental pollution and maximize the recycling opportunities of concrete. This can be applied during storage of equipment used in paving, cleaning of concrete including rinsing, sweeping, and exposing aggregate, and during concrete application and/or coat sealing during footpath, driveway, paving, guttering, and curb surfacing and resurfacing (Sakai and Noguchi, 2012).

Making concrete objects

In this case, concrete objects include bricks and tile among others. The aim of proper administration when dealing with concrete objects is to minimize the risk of environmental degradation. In case the cutting of concrete is likely to result in runoff entering the system of the stormwater, action should be taken to prevent pollution by either using diversion channels or bunds. This will be critical to divert the runoff from street gutters to areas of containment. At the same time, absorbent materials can be used to soak up the runoff (Holder, Lee & Elworthy, 2007).

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Concrete Hard Surfaces
Image 2: Concrete Hard Surfaces (SABMag 2012).

Cleaning the unprotected aggregate concrete

The aim of this management system is to reduce the possibility of polluted runoff mixing with the stormwater system. This can be applied during washing down the exposed concrete aggregate and cleaning of concrete (Bragança, 2007).

Delivering the concrete

In this regard, the aim of effective management is to prevent the threat of polluting the surrounding environment. This is applied during the ordering of concrete deliveries by site managers. It can also be used during the transportation of concrete to the places where it is needed.

Pumping of concrete

The main aim of an effective administration during this stage is to prevent any risk of environmental degradation. This can be applied to contractors of concrete pumping working at the sites of construction and for site managers in charge of pumping of concrete (UNEP. Industry and Environment Office 1997).

Production of Concrete Blocks
Image 3: Production of Concrete Blocks (ROBINSON Quarry Masters Ltd 2012).

Recommendations for action

The appropriate administration strategies in establishing a wash-down area on a site should include ensuring that it is situated in the right place. The excess concrete from equipment should be scraped off. In addition, a water spray nozzle can be used. The spray nozzle should have great pressure to avoid wastage of water during the exercise. This also ensured the conservation of water. It also minimizes the maintenance of sediment controls (Thorpe & Sumner, 2005).

Wash down water should never be allowed into a sewer system. In this case, there should be an arrangement with the local authorities before this is done. In addition, the water should be prevented from flowing into the stormwater system. For handstand construction management, the best management practice will be to ensure that the concrete or sealing coats are applied during dry weather. This will prevent runoff from entering into the stormwater drains or street gutters. It is also important to avoid on-site mixing of excess fresh concrete. This will also divert runoff from street gutters and contain the runoff in pooled areas such as sandbags. It is also important to consider using all possible disposal options and alternatives. Furthermore, one should treat the water and later dispose of it in the sewer or a waste treatment facility that is approved (Griffith, 2011).

The various objects that contain concrete should be covered. This will help in minimizing erosion and dust issues. Furthermore, an enclosure should be established to allow filtration of the solid particles in the concrete. The best management practices for washing down exposed aggregate concrete is by diverting the water into a level area, recycling all excess concrete, or treating the water by filtration then disposing of it. Sweepings that are collected from the exposed aggregate concrete should be returned to a recycling bin or a stockpile (Dhir, Dyer & Halliday 2002).

The use of concrete in construction is a dominant and ubiquitous reality in the modern construction industry. Therefore, it is important to ensure proper and responsible use of concrete to minimize its effects on the immediate environment. There is a need for the establishment of legislation to govern the production and usage of concrete. Such regulation should seek to minimize and curtail all instances of environmental pollution arising from the use and misuse of concrete

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Reference List

Bragança, L 2007, Portugal SB07: Sustainable Construction, Materials and Practices: Challenge of the Industry for the New Millennium, Delft University Press, Amsterdam, Netherlands.

Croitoru, L, Sarraf, M, & Arif, S 2010, The Cost of Environmental Degradation: Case Studies from the Middle East and North Africa, World Bank, Washington, D.C.

Department of Environment and conservation 2004, Environmental Best Management Practice Guideline for Concreting Contractors, Web.

Dhir, RK, Dyer, TD, & Halliday, JE 2002, Sustainable Concrete Construction: Proceedings of the International Conference Held at the University of Dundee, Scotland, UK on 9 – 11 September, 2002, [during the 2002 International Congress Challenges of Concrete Construction, 5 – 11 September 2002], Thomas Telford, London.

Griffith, A 2011, Integrated Management Systems for Construction: Quality, Environment and Safety, Pearson Prentice Hall, Harlow, England.

Holder, J, Lee, M, & Elworthy, S 2007, Environmental Protection, Law, and Policy: Text and Materials, Cambridge University Press, Cambridge.

Moncmanová, A 2007, Environmental Deterioration of Materials [u.a.], WIT Press, Southampton.

Sakai, K and Noguchi, T 2012, The Sustainable Use of Concrete, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL.

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Stubbs, A & Dering, CJ 2002, Environmental Law for the Construction Industry, Thomas Telford, London.

Thorpe, B & Sumner, P 2005, Quality Management in Construction, Gower Pub., Aldershot.

UNEP. Industry and Environment Office 1997, The Environmental Management of Industrial Estates, UNEP, Industry and Environment, Paris.

Winch, G 2010, Managing Construction Projects: An Information Processing Approach, Blackwell Pub, Chichester.

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