| |APRIL 20229water has tendency to maintain the same profile, leading to faster scouring across and along the river bed. Fly ash is another environmental nuisance which despite such huge consumption in cement and concrete, is lying in massive areas as rejects which cannot be used. This fly ash can replace clay bricks with a more eco-friendly, technical superior, fly ash based composition. Apart from the quality and mechanical properties, fly-ash based bricks are even and resource efficient bricks produced using cleaner production techniques and reduce carbon footprints.The third important component is concrete, the versatility of which is well known in view of addition of mineral and chemical admixtures. Concrete can be made green or sustainable by using `High Volume Fly ash Technology' (HVFAC), wherein OPC component is only 40-60 percent and is more durable than normal OPC concrete. This special composition increases the concrete's resistance to chlorides, sulphates, reduces chloride-ion penetration and carbonation.Concrete can now be used to beautify by using stamping technology with beautiful patterns and colours on porch, paving, footpath and walkways. Whether the driveway to a garage or a poolside private access path, this product can help add a new colour to a mundane surrounding, complex patterns for a decorative patio or a naturally blending pathway in a garden. Not only is it durable and impact resistant, it is also weather-proof, making it easy and cheap to maintain.CERTAIN CONCRETE CAN DRAIN WATER: Pervious concrete is a porous concrete which permits water drainage to lower surface, thus improving ground water table. The benefits of using this concrete is also to avoid water logging and allow drainage of water through the large pores present in its matrix. It helps keep the area dry and clean. Many municipal corporations are planning to make it mandatory to incorporate this concrete in a construction project along with rain water harvesting facility in cities. CONCRETE CAN REDUCE YOUR ELECTRICITY BILLS: Concrete is now designed to provide thermal comfort in the premises. A layer of customized concrete can be applied over the top layer of the roof slab, which acts as an insulating layer and considerably reduces heat transmission inside the building. This kind of arrangement keeps the building cool in summer and warm in winters. The trapped insulation in the concrete layer provides a bed for energy control and the energy consumption is reduced to a great extent due to this mechanism. Additionally it helps saving the non-renewable resources like coal in power generation. It is durable and the benefits last a long time and it is usually a onetime work. The difference in green buildings is in the approach to its design, which focuses on a concern for extending the life span of natural resources
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