Summary/ Reader Response Draft #1

In the article “The Self-healing Concrete…”, Spinks (2015) introduces the self-healing concrete innovation by Hendrik Jonkers and discusses how it can provide benefits towards industry players. She mentions that the eco-innovation can repair cracks up to 0.8mm by producing self-activating limestone, ultimately lowering maintenance expenses.  

Spinks also mention that John Alker, director of the UK Green Building Council asserts that concrete invention will contribute prominently for the construction industry. He believes that eco-innovation will be appreciated when consumers become convinced of the economic and environmental benefits. However, Jonkers claims that adopting his innovation is challenging as consumers find it costly to implement into their projects. Nevertheless, he finds that tropical regions will value green technology and appreciate self-healing concrete. Jonkers explains how Ecuador had benefitted from using self-healing concrete for its canal and irrigation by avoiding maintenance expenses. He then concludes that developing countries are willing to invest in green technology to avoid long-term costs. While Spinks outline the advantages and disadvantages of adopting Jonker's innovation, she fails to highlight how the construction industry can gain long-term profits using the self-healing concrete.

 

Primarily, Spinks should address the economic benefits of adopting the self-healing concrete. In the article “Self-Healing Concrete”, Arnold (2011) states that although concrete is highly susceptible to cracking. it remains to be a pivotal material in construction. Water filtration induce corrosion in concrete, thus undermining the foundation and reducing its lifespan. In my opinion, the application of Jonker’s self-healing concrete into building foundations will enhance the performance and longevity of the infrastructure. Despite its high material costs, it is able to set a reduction in the whole life-cost of a structure by minimising repairs. “Repairs can be particularly time-consuming and expensive because it is often very difficult to gain access to the structure to make repairs, especially if they are underground or at a great height.” (Arnold, 2011). Using its self-curing properties, the self-healing concrete innovation is a cost-effective investment for industry players.

 

In addition, the article should emphasise on the environmental advantages of the implementation of the self-healing concrete invention. In the article “The Healing Touch” (2019), Jarvis asserts that European countries are exploring eco-solutions in ‘every sector of production and technology’ to extenuate climate change and conserve the environment. According to Riccardo Maddalena and Diane Gardner, self-healing concrete represents an environmentally sustainable alternative in improving the durability of a building and minimising its total maintenance, including the continual use of concrete. Its capacity to respond to its environmental circumstances makes it a powerful eco-innovation. Through self-curing, it encourages the decrease of concrete demand, thus reducing carbon emissions. As such, the presence of dust during production is greatly reduced and pollution is consequently mitigated.

 

Lastly, Spinks should have presented the social responsibility of implementing eco-inventions. In the article by Spinks, Alker suggests that innovators ought to persuade buyers of the financial and ecological gains to be universally embraced. However, in the article (Self-Healing Concrete – the Friendly Bacteria That Fixes Cracks, 2019), Van der Woerd strives to convince his clients to ‘get on board with the technology because “the demand starts with them”.’ This implies that society's collaboration is important for the eco-transition and universal implementation of eco-technologies. It is further supported in the article (The missing piece in Singapore’s green building puzzle, 2019). Eco-innovations brings the community together to research and expand the concept while creating a sustainable future for everyone.

 

While it seems impossible to achieve a broad acceptance of eco-innovations, developing its benefits will persuade consumers of the efficacy in supporting sustainable alternatives. With rapid urbanisation and industrialisation, the significance and urgency of environmental conservation should be addressed.

References:

Arnold, D. (2011, March). Articles - Self-Healing Concrete. Ingenia. https://www.ingenia.org.uk/Ingenia/Articles/eb2f64de-2493-4dfc-9adc-3ae8e13ca477

Jarvis, B. (2019, September 19). The healing touch. Construction & Civil Engineering. http://www.ccemagazine.com/2019/09/19/the-healing-touch/

Self-healing concrete – the friendly bacteria that fixes cracks. (2019, January 23). CEMBUREAU. http://useofcement.cembureau.eu/2019/01/23/self-healing-concrete-friendly-bacteria-fixes-cracks/

Self-healing Concrete For Safer, More Durable Infrastructure. (2009, April 24). ScienceDaily. https://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2009/04/090422175336.htm

Wei, C. Y. (2019, August 7). The missing piece in Singapore’s green building puzzle. Eco-Business. https://www.eco-business.com/news/the-missing-piece-in-singapores-green-building-puzzle/