Sustainable Materials Revolutionizing Skyscraper Construction

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The skyscrapers of tomorrow must embody eco-conscious principles that minimize environmental impact while enhancing urban living. Adopting sustainable construction materials is imperative to this goal.

 

6 Sustainable Materials Revolutionizing Skyscraper Construction

 

Constructing skyscrapers often relies heavily on key items like concrete, steel and glass. Extracting and producing these materials can have significant environmental consequences, hence the need for sustainable alternatives.

 

The transition to greener practices in the industry is underway with the adoption of the following green innovations.

 

1. Self-Healing Concrete

 

Self-healing concrete incorporates mechanisms like microcapsules or bacterial agents that autonomously repair cracks, extending the life span of structures. For example, several aqueducts built using this innovation since ancient Roman times are still functioning today. This material represents a groundbreaking innovation in sustainable skyscraper construction because it enhances the structure’s durability and reduces maintenance requirements.

The extended life cycle means less demand for new cement production, which accounts for up to 8% of global carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions. Switching to self-healing concrete also minimizes construction waste and air pollution, making it a highly desirable practice for sustainable urban development.

 

2. Recycled Steel

 

Skyscrapers are notorious for their sky-high vanity — prioritizing aesthetics over functionality and sustainability. Take the world’s tallest building as an example. The Burj Khalifa uses 4,000 tons of structural steel just for decorative purposes. While there’s no denying its elegance, the environmental footprint is profound.

Steel production is responsible for between 7% and 9% of global anthropogenic greenhouse gas emissions. Moreover, mining ore can lead to habitat destruction, soil erosion and water pollution.

In contrast, recycled steel significantly reduces these ecological impacts. These materials use scrap metal instead of virgin ore, conserving natural resources and minimizing waste sent to landfills. Recycled steel also maintains high structural integrity and durability, making it suitable for various construction applications, including high-rise buildings and other urban infrastructure.

 

3.  Cross-Laminated Timber (CLT)

 

Wood has been a mainstay construction material for thousands of years. However, traditional production often involves clear-cutting forests, leading to habitat destruction, biodiversity loss and increased carbon emissions from deforestation. Additionally, conventional logging practices can result in soil erosion and water pollution, further harming ecosystems.

CLT presents a sustainable and highly viable alternative. Creating this material involves bonding small pieces of solid wood from smaller, lower-value trees to form strong and stable composite lumber suitable for various building applications. CLT is vital to constructing timber skyscrapers like the Mjøstårnet, an 18-story wooden edifice comprising a 72-room hotel, residential units and office spaces.

 

4. Green Roofs

 

Green roofs consist of a layer of vegetation planted on top of a waterproof membrane. These systems provide numerous environmental benefits, including lowering building temperatures by 30-40 degrees Fahrenheit, effectively addressing the heat island effect. This cooling effect makes them a highly promising solution to sustainable urban development.

They also offer better stormwater management than roofs clad with traditional materials like asphalt and wood. These living roofs absorb rainwater better, decreasing runoff and filtering pollutants before they enter drainage systems.

While green roofs offer significant advantages, roofing materials with extended life spans can be a practical alternative. Products like slate and clay tiles can last 100 years or more, resulting in lower maintenance costs and replacement potential — desirable qualities in sustainable high-rise building roofs.

 

5. Recycled Plastic

 

The environmental impact of plastic waste is well documented. Diverting these products from landfills and reusing them for construction projects is a game-changer in sustainable development. Recycling plastic also reduces the demand for virgin plastic production, an extremely energy-intensive process with considerable carbon emissions.

Recycled plastic turns discarded items into valuable materials used in various building applications. For example, it can be molded into exterior wall cladding and paneling, providing a lightweight, waterproof alternative to traditional materials.

This versatility allows architects and developers to create innovative designs while promoting eco-conscious construction practices and moving the industry toward a circular economy. A 2023 competition hosted by eVolo Magazine highlighted the possibility of an elevated plastic skyscraper as a suitable solution for addressing plastic pollution in Africa. Though far from actualization, the prospect is undeniably promising from an economic and environmental perspective.

 

6. Photovoltaic (PV) Glass

 

PV glass integrates solar energy production into the building envelope, making it particularly advantageous for skyscrapers since they’re so high up that they can maximize sunlight exposure and frequently use designs heavy in glazing.

Using PV glass instead of standard glass can help buildings contribute to a more sustainable urban environment, generate clean energy on-site and decrease dependence on non-renewable energy sources. According to simulation tests, using PV windows in high-rise buildings could eliminate up to 2 million kilograms of CO2 emissions yearly in Denver.

Moreover, PV glass can be designed to maintain aesthetic appeal while providing functional benefits, seamlessly integrating into modern architectural designs. This dual functionality reduces the need for additional roofing or cladding materials, further minimizing resource use.

 

Shaping the Skyline of Tomorrow

 

Sustainable materials such as self-healing concrete, cross-laminated timber, green roofs and photovoltaic glass are revolutionizing modern skyscraper construction. Incorporating these innovative products minimizes waste and energy consumption while enhancing high-rise buildings' durability and efficiency, paving the way for eco-friendly urban development. As cities continue to grow, adopting these materials will be crucial in addressing climate change and promoting resource conservation to meet the needs of future generations.

 

 

Source from: https://www.construction21.org/articles/h/sustainable-materials-revolutionizing-skyscraper-construction.html