Durabilità e sostenibilità

The design of durable reinforced concrete structures is critical to avoid unexpected repairs and consequent environmental and energetic costs, thereby allowing to achieve a sustainable development in the construction field. This note examines the durability of structures in relation to its effect on the environment. It describes the consequences associated with the production of binders and concretes (in terms of consumption of resources and generation of wastes and emissions), as well as possible improvements to mitigate these consequences achievable in the cement manufacturing technologies and the composition (for instance, through the use of other binders as an alternative to portland cement) and concretes (for instance, with the use of waste materials from industrial processes as mineral additions or demolition wastes replacing ordinary aggregate). The note concludes by highlighting the role of cementitious materials in relation to the life cycle of the structures.