Concrete Thoughts

How Construction Sites Can Contribute To Control Air Pollution in Delhi/NCR

Air pollution has always been a serious issue for the government and the residents of Delhi/NCR. The current Air Quality Index of Delhi is being estimated to be above 600 that is quite hazardous. Construction sites are also among the many other cause of pollution like agricultural waste, transport, factory waste, and other factors. Being a developing country, it is roughly projected that more than half of the construction is still about to be done in the future. So, what are the alternatives? Today, we will discuss how to manage and reduce concrete Carbon without hampering the current and upcoming projects.

Applying the innovative methods that can reduce ConstructionConstruction based pollution in Delhi/NCR.

The issue was already covered by Kryton International’s blog on these  Innovative Methods last year. Today, we will check how these methods can help us in India’s rapidly growing capital region. Now, let us jump into the methods that will be helpful even for companies already practising green methods for low-carbon emission.

Reducing The Required Amount Of Cement

It may sound unrealistic to reduce the required amount of cement in a concrete site, but it works. Almost one metric ton of CO2 is released from the one metric ton of cement. So, considering cement as a major cause of carbon emission in construction sites, we have got some alternative solutions for you.

Smaller aggregates should be used only when necessarily required. Using well-graded aggregates with a maximum size of 20 mm or 0.79 inches reduces the cement requirement. Bigger aggregates require less cement-water paste to fill the voids that ultimately reduce the requirement of cement. It additionally benefits on reducing the concrete shrinkage and the cost of ConstructionConstruction as well. Partial cement replacements like ground-granulated blast-furnace slag can also be used, as they are made of already recycled products. Another alternative method suggested by the Institution of Structural Engineers is the usage of water-reducing admixtures like that reduce the cement requirement by maintaining the slump and strength of a concrete mix. The issue arises when some structures demand extremely high-strength Concrete. For that purpose, high-strength Concrete allows workers to construct concrete elements using thinner sections of concrete elements reduces the total volume of Concrete needed compared to normal-strength Concrete. That ultimately allows developers to maintain the strength of the Concrete.

Switching To No VOC Technologies 

Smog is a major problem in Delhi, and reducing VOCs can help a lot. They produce ground-level Ozone leading to serious cardiac and respiratory diseases. However, their direct contribution towards air pollution is very less. Still, the Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs) are the indirect accelerators of CO2. They are usually bi-products of the sealers and coatings that help these products in settling down to dry. The alternative technologies of sealers and coatings can avoid the usage of VOCs and save time and cost for the projects. General usage of the VOC required coatings is done for the waterproofing, abrasion-resistance and repair of the Concrete. Using Krystol Technology, all the mentioned goals can be achieved smartly.

• In case if a project requires permanent waterproofing, Krystol Internal Membrane (KIM) can be used as a concrete admixture instead of using any external coating. Its insoluble crystals fill up the micro-cracks and pores of the Concrete whenever it comes in contact with the water. So, a smart move can help you reduce pollution, lower down the project’s time and cost, and increase the quality of waterproof Concrete that has no sheet-damaging kind of issues. KIM is also certified by Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), up to 2 points under Construction and Demolition Waste Management. The report validates that Concrete graded with KIM can be recycled after demolition, making the concrete reusable, causing less pollution in the environment.
• You can use products like Krystol CHR & HR Grout and other Krystol Repair System for concrete repair. It again requires no VOCs and helps repair all types of joints, tie-rods, defects and penetrations.
• For abrasion resistance, Hard-CEM can be used to replace the requirement of cement that ultimately reduces the chances of pollution. Hard-Cem has also been proved as the best dust controlling admixture among the others tested by ASTM C627, also known as the Robinson floor test based on the machine used for the testing). Runways, Bridge Decks, Highway Pavements, Warehouse Floors, Parking Structures, Ramps and Aprons are a few examples of the structures where Hard-Cem plays a successful role in reducing abrasion with its dust-reducing properties. It also outperforms and overcomes labour-intensive surface applied hardeners’ deficiencies and is used to enhance the durability of both air-entrained and non-air-entrained concretes. Being integral, Hard-Cem is compatible with any vertical, horizontal or inclined concrete/shotcrete surfaces.

Carbon Resistant/Reducing Project Model

As the government is already implanting the smog towers in different locations, they are good to reduce the Carbon but not enough. Carbon capture plants can either be developed for the bigger projects, or else you can tie-up with the companies who already make them. These plants capture the emitted Carbon, and some with a comprehensive technology that helps recycle the Carbon for concrete usage.

Apart from this, Carbon-absorbing concretes are being developed. Although Scientific American release note, 2018 stated that Concrete alone is still not capable of removing Carbon completely. However, adding this method with other preventive methods can help curb air pollution and make your concrete sustainable for the long run.

A Few of The Sectors where Kryton Outperforms with its highly recommended Crystalline Waterproofing technology are:

• Runways, highway pavements and intersections
• Hydro dams, irrigation, sluiceways, spillways and drainage conduits
• Bridge decks
• Fire suspension reservoirs
• Wastewater treatment plants, water reservoirs and tanks
• Manufacturing and warehouse floors
• Service and repair bays; utility and maintenance buildings
• Marine structures: sea walls, dry docks and jetties
• Underground parking, parking structures, ramps and aprons
• Basement foundations and elevator pits
• Culverts, underwater tunnels and precast pipes
• Transportation tunnels