Slog - Comments on The Future of Concrete

Comment by Bub

Bub — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:34:31 -0800

This is all very exciting. Imagine rebuilding the old Kingdome using the new "science of concrete." It would stand forever ...

Comment by inkweary

inkweary — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 12:47:11 -0800

There is actually a world-wide shortage of concrete at the moment. The building boom of the last decade, particularly in China and SE Asia, has out-stripped supply. Major projects, including mass transit upgrades in Dallas, and road building and housing construction in Sri Lanka have been put on hold because of inadequate supplies. The current economic down-turn may relieve the shortage somewhat, but then there will be less money to build things with.

Comment by tomasyalba

tomasyalba — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:01:03 -0800

"One of the big factors behind the resurgence of concrete is the environmental movement."

True, but not how Business Week explains it. Concrete companies are under the gun from environmentalists concerned about that pesky global warming stuff.

Studies show cement plants emit between 7 and 10 percent of all carbon dioxide in the entire world. The research at MIT is promising, but the scientists in charge say not to hold your breath: at least five years for definitive results.

Comment by Fnarf

Fnarf — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:03:34 -0800

Anything's better than the wave of horrible CGI buildings covered with wacky metal skins (EMP) and lattices (SPL).

Comment by Greg

Greg — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:44:18 -0800

@3: The problem is that the production of cement is so energy-intensive: You have to collect and purify the ingredients, then you have to mix them all up and smelt it until it hardens into clinker, then you have to grind the clinker up into powder and store it away from moisture. That takes a LOT of power.

Comment by Mr. Joshua

Mr. Joshua — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 13:54:35 -0800

Of course, it's always great fun to support the civil engineering student's concrete canoe project. You can see it at the annual engineering open house.

Comment by -B-

-B- — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:12:12 -0800

"Old concrete is honest; new concrete is a whore."
Concrete has always been going through changes this is not something new. What is old concrete the stuff the Romans used or the stuff that came before that.
Concrete mainly used today was created in the 1800's so it is relatively new. Change is always happening.
So I do not get the whore reference for something improved.
The post was interesting up until the last line.

Comment by NaFun

NaFun — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 14:31:30 -0800

Concrete is the cold and unfeeling facade of The State, a dehumanizing Other. That is why Charles hates the new. Plus, the new tech spells the end of the box and the straight line. It introduces curves, a human, natural form that is antithetical to Charles' love of the beauty of theory, the mind. Straight lines and boxes are tidy and methodical, putting humans in their place at the service of the greater idea, The State.

blech.

Comment by Greg

Greg — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 16:01:46 -0800

@8: Straight lines and boxes are also a hell of a lot easier to make.

Comment by Cale

Cale — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 17:24:07 -0800

Yes, but the new concrete will be a sexy, eco-whore.

Comment by Dr_Awesome

Dr_Awesome — Thu, 07 Feb 2008 18:27:39 -0800

Look south to Olympia, where the City has built several sidewalk and walkway projects using new permeable concrete. It costs more, but has one really cool and gigantic benefit. Any project that builds more than a certain amount of solid, impervious surface (like a parking lot or sidewalk) must comply with government stormwater treatment regulations.

This usually requires a detention pond. Those are usually concrete-lined monsters, or reed-choked mosquito hatcheries.

Permeable concrete eliminates the need to build a detention pond. Maintenance costs go down. Useable land is saved. And the newer formulations are so smooth kids can still skateboard on them.

Comment by MUD

MUD — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 00:51:05 -0800

Concrete is, was and always will be only as honest as the form imposed upon it.

Comment by Dade

Dade — Fri, 08 Feb 2008 10:38:52 -0800

And here I was, beginning to suspect you worked for the Concrete lobby.