Geomaterials in construction and their sustainability: understanding their role in modern society

• DOI: 10.1144/sp416.21
• Publication Date: 2016-02-27T03:39:13Z
• Authors: R. Přikryl; Á. Török; M. Theodoridou; M. Gomez-Heras; K. Miskovsky
• Keywords: 13. Climate action; 11. Sustainability; 01 natural sciences; 12. Responsible consumption; 0105 earth and related environmental sciences

Abstract Inorganic raw materials, here termed geomaterials, derived from the Earth's crust and used in construction after appropriate processing make a genetically functionally varied group of mineral resources. Although their basic functions have remained almost unchanged for centuries, some new attributes, meanings impacts on society are still emerging. Geomaterials were among first materials exploited, processed by man. They helped development technological artistic skills humankind. Accessibility, workability serviceability considered as main functional being connected with man's to find occurrence, extract process them, then use them correct way. However, is more complex attribute it also encompasses durability material construction. Durability, that ability withstand action weathering/decay processes, an expression dynamic interactions between surrounding environment encompassing not only gradual adaptation current environmental conditions, but construction, history maintenance/conservation structure impact polluted environment. In modern world, sustainable specifically those exploited largest volumes such geomaterials raises questions reducing extraction primary resources thus minimizing natural systems, employment technologies produce less emission deleterious substances atmosphere. Use secondary waste produced during and/or re-use existing structural elements re- or down-cycling can be approaches pressure