b'NEW TECHand lighter than glass, and morebelow-freezing temperatures. CracksGetting rid of the cement (the binding thermally efficient. It is an alternativeeventually degrade the structuralagent for concrete manufacturing) for plastic or glass windows madeintegrity of the concrete. eliminates the largest portion of carbon from balsa wood, a material that isemissions associated with concrete. One eco-friendly and renewable, withOne technology involves addingCanadian company, Carbicrete, offers trees regenerating in just five years.bacteria capsules to the concrete mix.a new concrete product that replaces Producing transparent wood is lessWater entering the crack triggers thecement with steel slag leftover from steel costly than glass production and hascapsules to release and fill the crackproduction. The slag is injected with a low carbon footprint. with limestone produced by theCO2 captured from industrial plants, Another feature is its flexibility.bacteria. Other examples use polymerand the curing process converts the Containing natural cellulose, itsor enzymes and calcium carbonate.carbon dioxide into a mineral. Their transparency meets building designThis technology extends the lifecycletechnology responsibly removes the needs for traditional glass and otherof existing concrete, thus reducing thecement, slag waste and CO2. Based on transparent building parts includingneed for new concrete production totesting, their product is 30-per-cent durability and energy efficiency. replace it. stronger than conventional concrete.Factory prefabricated concrete panelsConstruction materials are changing as CARBON FIBRE replacing on-site poured concrete isnew options become available each year. Well known in sports, carbon fibreanother good environmental step, is now frequently being used inaddressing concrete waste issues. PrefabCoupled with modernized traditional construction where joining strengthpanels eliminate many concrete wastematerials, these technologies offer a new and a lightweight material isissues such as over-ordering, improperapproach to building construction that required. Carbon fibre is extremelyorder tracking and simple processesis more sustainable and eco-friendly. strong, 30-per-cent lighter thanof constructing the buildings. PrefabConstruction contractors need to aluminum and 75-per-cent lightermanufacturing moves design to thestay abreast of material changes and than iron. plant, minimizes waste and ultimatelytechnologies to stay competitive in this speeds up construction. emerging market.BY WARREN HEELEY In construction, carbon fibre reinforces traditional materials (e.g., concrete block, wood assemblies, etc.) to improve strength andYou have construction risk. durability. It also reduces the thickness and weight of concreteWork with the experts.panels while providing good thermal insulation. The downside can be the current cost of the material.RE-ENGINEERING CONCRETEAccording to an article from The Globe and Mail, 70 per cent of people worldwide live in structures using concrete, with enough concrete produced globally to pave over the Great Lakes. Concrete production emits eight per cent of global carbon emissions. As such, finding sustainable concrete is a priority forRosy Mounce, Construction Insurance, Salmon Arm Talk to the Acera Insurance the construction industry. Morly Bishop, Construction Insurance, Kamloops construction team today!Self-healing concrete uses anChris Nielsen, BCCA Group Benefits, Kelowna 1 800 670 1877lcapricmw.cainnovative method to repair cracksAngela McKerlich, Contract Surety, Kelownain existing concrete. Concrete cracksMatt Arruda,Construction Insurance, Kelownacompromise its properties; whenChantell Arsenault, Group Benefits, Kelowna cracks open, they attract water that ends up seeping deep into theRyan Fairburn, Construction Insurance, Vernonconcrete, especially when exposed to SICA CONSTRUCTION REVIEWSpring 202431'