MIT Studies Life Cycle Assessment of Highway Pavements and Buildings

The Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently released preliminary research findings that will help set a new standard in life-cycle assessment modeling.  The studies, which are part of the ongoing research initiative at the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub, will quantify the life-cycle environmental costs of paving and building materials.

The MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub is a research center established at MIT in collaboration with the Portland Cement Association (PCA) and Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) Research & Education Foundation.  Founded in 2009, the Hub focuses on the mission of accelerating emerging breakthroughs in concrete science and transferring the best available data into engineering practices. [Read More]

This research will serve as a vital tool when establishing not just what the prices are to build a new project, but what the value and cost will be for years to come.  It will help everyone make better economic and environmental decisions at the beginning of the construction process.

The scope of the research is 50 years for pavements and 75 years for buildings, with the focus being on the “use phase” where the true impact and cost are involved. Use phase is defined as the period between construction and demolition that makes up the actual in-use life of the road or building. From HVAC savings in buildings to fuel efficiency savings on pavement types, this model will provide a very real assessment of the actual costs.

Here are some of the highlights to-date:

• LCA of Highway Pavements
  • For high-volume roads, the use phase of the life-cycle can account for up to 85% of carbon emissions
  • Potential for significant fuel efficiency savings for vehicles on concrete pavements over asphalt, could lead to substantially lower life cycle CO2 emissions
  • Varying scheduled maintenance work and lane closures can reduce CO2 emissions for concrete pavements over the life of the road

• LCA of Buildings
  • Residential buildings – more than 90% of the life-cycle carbon emissions are due to the use phase, with construction and end-of-life disposal accounting for less than 10% of the total emissions
  • Residential buildings – concrete structures built with insulated concrete forms (ICF) enjoy long-term operational energy savings of 20% or more over wood-framed buildings
  • Commercial buildings – concrete structures realize HVAC energy savings of between 5% and 6% annually over steel structures
  • Commercial buildings – increased use of concrete envelop systems and the development of low-carbon structural concrete can have a major impact on lowering the life cycle carbon emissions

Life cycle assessment is essential for understanding the environmental performance of buildings. MIT’s research has demonstrated that there are measureable differences between alternative construction systems, and that the thermal mass of concrete can provide substantial energy savings over a life cycle.

MIT’s final studies, which are scheduled to be completed by August 2011, will provide the scientific community, industry leaders, and policymakers with a much clearer understanding of the real life environmental and economic costs of building and paving materials.

To learn more about MIT’s research on concrete, visit their website.

Interested in Attending a Pervious Concrete Demonstration?

Pervious Concrete continues to draw interest in our communities. Recognized by the Pennsylvania Department of Environmental Protection as a Best Management Practice for stormwater management this technology holds tremendous potential for both the public and private sector.

If you are interested in learning more about this exciting technology, you are invited to attend a presentation on pervious concrete that will be on conducted April 28^th at Delaware Valley Concrete’s facility located in Malvern, PA.  The 12:00 PM presentation and lunch will be followed by a placement of pervious concrete pad.

We hope you will join us. Please click here to download a registration form.

ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design

When designing, constructing or proposing a concrete parking lot, there is just one standard that should be followed: ACI 330R-08 – “Guide for the Design and Construction of Concrete Parking Lots.”  PACA is offering a webinar that discusses the basis of the design guide, gives an overview of the guide’s sections, and most importantly, compares and reviews other commonly-used design procedures to that of ACI 330 R-08. We’re confident you will find ACI 330 R-09 is the best option for designing, constructing and testing of concrete parking lots. 

Engineers and architects earn one Professional Development Hour upon completion of this program. This seminar is registered with the American Institute of Architects Continuing Education Systems.

Single copies of ACI 330 R-08 (Guide for Design and Construction of Concrete Parking Lots) andACI 330.1-03 (Specification for Un-Reinforced Concrete Parking Lots) will be provided at no cost to each registering company.

Join us and learn more about concrete parking lot design!

Webinar: ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Date: Friday, April 29, 2011
Time: 11:00 AM – 12:00 PM EDT

After registering you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the Webinar.

For more information about the webinar, contact Ken Crank.

Feature CE Course: Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) Construction

Only 5 months left to fulfill new CE requirements.

Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) are known for their energy efficiency while still providing structural integrity.  In this program you will gain general understanding of ICF Construction and its benefits to contractors and owners.  Concrete construction offers tremendous safety benefits over traditional frame construction.  A recent cost study shows these benefits and offers a cost comparison to alternate building materials.

To learn more or register for the class, contact Ken Crank or Bruce Cody.   

Our instructors bring the presentations right to your door. Select the presentation you would like PACA to provide, complete and send the reservation form to the PACA office and our instructors will contact you to set up a schedule convenient for you and your employees.

Ask the Expert!

Q: I’ve heard that concrete buildings are very energy efficient, but that concrete does not have a very high R value. If that is the case, how can a concrete building be an advantage?

A: A concrete building, usually constructed with insulating concrete forms or with insulated tilt-up/pre-cast wall panels, relies on its thermal mass to modulate temperature swings within its space. Thermal mass is the term used to describe a material’s ability to store heat energy and release it over time.  There are three characteristics of thermal mass:

• First, the time lag between peak heating and cooling loads and outside temperature peaks is greater for massive buildings.  This feature can be used in buildings by delaying the need for heating or cooling energy to take advantage of off-peak demand.  In an office building, that means you can delay heat gain until after everyone has gone home.  In a home, that means you can delay heat gain until the cooler hours in the evening when natural ventilation and fans can cool a home.
• Second, massive buildings demonstrate lower peak heating and cooling loads.  This allows the use of smaller more efficient heating and cooling equipment.
• And third, massive buildings require less overall heating and cooling energy to maintain the same interior temperatures since temperature swings are moderated.