Product category:
Concrete, Cement, Admixtures
News Release from: Civil and Marine | Subject: Ground granulated blast furnace slag
Edited by the Buildingtalk Editorial
Team on 08 May 2008
Turning sustainable designs into reality
Ground granulated blast furnace slag, a cement replacement used in ready-mixed and precast concrete, has helped enhance the sustainable credentials of a redeveloped Victorian building.
GGBS - helping to turn sustainable designs into reality at 56 Southwark Bridge Road Award winning architects, Architype, wanted to ensure the refurbishment of 56 Southwark Bridge Road, owned by Southwark Borough Council, combined cutting edge design with the use of low carbon materials
This article was originally published on Buildingtalk on 11 May 2007 at 8.00am (UK)
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GGBS, which is a by-product of the iron making industry, was specified because it can reduce greenhouse gas emissions associated with the manufacture of concrete by 40 per cent or more.
In addition, it does not require the quarrying of new materials and makes use of a product that would otherwise be disposed of as landfill.
It was imperative for Architype that materials used in the project reflected its sustainable approach to embodied energy, greenhouse gases and raw material extraction.
Adrian Ashby, from Civil and Marine, the UK's largest producers of GGBS, worked closely with James Todd from Architype to ensure that site constraints did not dilute this approach.
A standard GGBS percentage of 50 per cent was agreed for use across the project - although Architype's original specifications stated a 72 per cent mix.
"We had to balance our vision with the needs of the contractors and suppliers," said James.
"Ideally we would have liked a bigger mix, but it is inevitable that compromises are made on projects like this".
"Civil and Marine understood the need to be flexible and continued to offer advice and support throughout construction".
Concrete containing GGBS was used in the space between the atrium and staircases, achieving a light-coloured concrete with a consistent fine textured finish.
Using 300m3 of GGBS in the mixes saved 46 tonnes of carbon dioxide and 112,350KWh of energy and also prevented 79 tonnes of raw material extraction.
Other environmentally friendly specifications on the build included solar panels, a wind turbine, low energy lighting and an energy monitoring system.
Graham Sutton, regeneration manager for the London Borough of Southwark said: "The building is going to be a media centre for broadcasting, cultural and art projects and will bring excellent training opportunities for local residents.".
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