The Portland Cement Association (PCA) released a report which it says demonstrates that resilient design and construction built with concrete leads to longer lasting buildings.
This is due to the concrete’s ability to stand up to normal wear and tear and resistance to extreme weather conditions, the association adds.
Michael Ireland, PCA president and CEO, says: "US taxpayers cannot afford to continue building and rebuilding the way we did in the past. Strong, robust structures ensure community continuity and provide long lasting value for scarce taxpayer dollars.”
The report, The Real Value of Resilient Construction, is based on historical data, evidence from external sources, and comparisons of building materials.
On a national scale, between 1996 and 2014, damages in the US due to hazards (hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, etc.) totalled more than $377 Billion according to the National Weather Service. The Real Value of Resilient Construction notes that reinforced concrete structures reduce recovery costs after disasters hit and the upfront costs of incorporating resilient concrete features may not be significant and are likely to save money in the long run.
The report also looks at how concrete buildings are the new ‘green’ buildings. Structures that last longer reduce environmental footprint because their emissions, attributed to heating, cooling and operation, can be spread over many decades. Incorporating concrete can also contribute toward achieving points in the US Green Building Council LEED programme which focuses on green building and communities worldwide.
To learn more about resilience visit www.cement.org/resilience.
