In this episode, we dive into the tricky topic of concrete and unpick the widespread mantra that \u2018concrete is bad\u2019. Concrete is \u2018an addiction\u2019 that has led to an obese construction industry, says Expedition\u2019s MacNamara. Concrete is not going to go away but we can radically reduce our use of it, according to MacNamara. She describes a proposed pad foundation design for the Eden Project site in Dundee which would achieve an 80 per cent reduction in concrete volume.<\/p>\n
MacNamara stresses that \u2018using less\u2019 is much more beneficial than substituting low-carbon concretes and notes that she repeatedly sees practitioners over-specifying. We discuss some of the nuances of concrete use: which applications are most appropriate, how to reduce the volumes we use, and why low-carbon concrete \u2013 especially GGBS \u2013 is not a silver bullet. We also touch on upcoming innovations, including Seratech, \u2018funnel\u2019 slabs, and smart crushing.<\/p>\n
MacNamara explains how to bring both carbon and biodiversity into the concrete procurement process. Highlighting findings from the recent report The Embodied Biodiversity Impacts of Construction Materials <\/em>(Expedition\/ICE, November 2023), she notes that 95 per cent of biodiversity impacts occur off site and that the new biodiversity net gain requirements only address the 5 per cent on site, so designers must look beyond the site\u2019s boundary.<\/p>\n Finally, MacNamara advocates finding a place to innovate on every project. \u2018We can make the most difference by using our projects as springboards for incubating innovation,\u2019 she says.<\/p>\n To catch up on all episodes of AJ Climate Champions, click here<\/a>.<\/p>\n Find Climate Champions on your favourite podcast app: subscribe via Spotify<\/a>,\u00a0Apple Podcasts<\/a>,\u00a0Google Podcasts<\/a>, Deezer<\/a>\u00a0and Podbean<\/a><\/strong><\/p>\n
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