A recent study noted probably the biggest source of carbon emissions in low-rise construction is the concrete in the foundations Though heretofore overlooked and assumed impractical, there is something of a revival of interest in the elimination of a large amount of the concrete through a number of means. Alternate cements and practice (like pre-placed aggregates concrete to lower past contents) are being reviewed.
It challenges conventional thinking but probably the biggest bang appears to come from eliminating the slab portion of the foundation altogether and substitution of an engineered earthen floor. One project saw a 40% reduction in the embodied carbon of the foundation by the use of a some what conventional earthen floor.
Deep carbon reduction will indeed require challenging convention and assumptions - thinking forward
to solve old problems.
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