Study of Eco-Efficiency of Ready-Mixed Concrete Production Processes

Author(s): Anna George Nellickal and Sivakumar Palaniappan
Paper category: Proceedings
Book title: Proceedings of the 71st RILEM Annual Week & ICACMS 2017,Chennai,India, 3rd -8th September 2017
Editor(s): Manu Santhanam
Ravindra Gettu
Radhakrishna G. Pillai
Sunitha K. Nayar
ISBN: 978-2-35158-196-4
ISBN: 978-2-35158-190-2 (Set)
e-ISBN: 978-2-35158-191-9:
Publisher: Published by RILEM Publications S.A.R.L.
Publication year: 2017
Pages: 754-763
Total Pages: 10
Language : English

Abstract: Traditionally, the cost of a system has been considered as the most important decision-making
factor in construction. However, with the increasing concern over the environment today, the
sustainability aspect has also become a key factor. Currently, the construction industry aims at
selecting strategies or designs that are superior both in the economic and environmental
aspects. Eco-efficiency is one such concept that combines both the economic and
environmental impacts simultaneously. This study focusses on quantifying the eco-efficiency
of processes associated with the use of ready-mixed concrete (RMC) in construction practices.
The RMC industry is one of the fastest growing construction sectors and plays an important
role towards infrastructure development. It involves the transportation of raw materials and
concrete which is considered as one of the major sources of energy use and emissions. This
study considers nine cases in which the distance from the raw material sources to the batching
plant and the distance from the batching plant to the customer sites are varied. Finally, the
concept is presented in the form of an eco-efficiency profile to better enhance the decision-
making for the RMC supplier.

Online publication : 2017
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros) : 0.00