Concrete – a challenge for sustainable and resilient built environment
New situation in natural and socio-economic environment requires new technical solutions for construction of new and reconstruction and modernization of existing structures. Concrete gradually becomes building material with high potential for new technical solutions resulting in needed environmental impact reduction and consequent social and economic improvement. With respect to specifics of concrete presented as a strong and durable material, it is possible to design and construct robust structures with a high level of resilience when faced to the exceptional natural or man-made disasters. To gain from advantages of concrete, it requires a better knowledge about technological processes and their impacts from a wide variety of sustainability aspects within entire life cycle – from acquisition of materials, through production of concrete and concrete components, construction, use, up to demolition of concrete structure and recycling.
The main objective is thus to contribute to sustainable development through dissemination of advanced knowledge which is based on research results and developments in the fields of concrete structures and associated technologies. The aim is to bring together engineers, researchers, academics, producers, investors and developers to exchange and discuss their innovative approaches and ideas focused on sustainable concrete structures and their contribution to sustainable development goals.
The 2nd International Conference on Circularity in the Built Environment (CiBEn) aims at becoming a major point of contact between researchers, engineers and practitioners on the area of construction and demolition waste (C&DW) processing and valorization.
Eight main topics embracing all different aspects related to the theme of circularity in the built environment and sustainable construction materials will be dealt with.
The EU28 generates around 350 Mt of C&DW, excluding excavation earths. The average recycling rate is of 50% for the stony fraction (concrete, stone and ceramics which are at present down-cycled) and of less than 30% for wood; 25% for plastics; 10% for gypsum and 6% for glass. Therefore there is a significant loss of potential valuable minerals and other materials all over Europe. The worldwide figures and trends provide an even worse scenario. That is why many initiatives are ongoing internationally to develop methodologies and technologies to turn this waste streams into resources for the benefit of the economy and the society at large.
CiBEn intends to provide researchers and industry experts with the opportunity to exchange their ideas and showcases in advanced/innovative technologies and methodologies to process and valorize C&DW in the context of circular economy.