Summary/ Reader Response Draft #4

“The Self-Healing Concrete That Can Fix Its Own Cracks”

 

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. 

 

The author also mentions that John Alker, director of the UK Green Building Council, asserts that this new 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 outlines the advantages and disadvantages of adopting Jonker's innovation, she fails to highlight how the construction industry can gain economic, environmental and social benefits from using the self-healing concrete.

 

Primarily, Spinks should have addressed the economic benefits of adopting self-healing concrete. Self-healing concrete can now reduce the cost associated with corrosion in concrete. Water filtration induces corrosion in concrete, thus undermining the foundation and reducing its lifespan. Arnold (2011) states that although concrete is highly susceptible to cracking, it remains to be an important material in construction. The incorporation of Jonker’s self-healing concrete into building foundations will enhance the performance and longevity of the infrastructure. Despite its high material costs, it can 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, industry players will find the self-healing concrete innovation a cost-effective investment.

 

In addition, the article should have emphasised the environmental advantages of implementing self-healing concrete. Its self-curing properties can significantly reduce the demand for concrete production and minimise environmental pollution. Jarvis (2019) asserts that European countries are exploring eco-solutions in ‘every sector of production and technology’ to mitigate climate change and conserve the environment. According to Maddalena and Gardner (Jarvis, 2019), self-healing concrete represents an environmentally sustainable alternative in improving the durability of a building. It minimises the total maintenance including the continual use of concrete. Its capacity to respond to its environmental circumstances makes it a powerful eco-innovation. Eventually, with the implementation of self-healing concrete in buildings, even dust output is reduced and pollution mitigated. Spinks should have addressed the advantages in her report.

 

Lastly, Spinks should have presented the societal duty in implementing eco-inventions such as self-healing concrete. A society’s cooperation and collaboration are important for a successful eco-transition and a universal implementation of eco-technologies. In Spinks’ article, she states that Alker suggests that innovators ought to persuade buyers of the financial and ecological gains to be widely embraced. However, Van der Woerd (2019) strives to convince his clients to “get on board with the technology because ‘the demand starts with them’.” This is further supported by Wei (2019) which suggests that eco-innovation involves the cooperation of the entire society from its inception. Spinks should have addressed how the implementation will improve the quality of life, thus creating a sustainable future for everyone.

While it seems impossible to achieve a broad acceptance of eco-innovations such as self-healing concrete, developing its benefits will persuade consumers of the efficacy in supporting sustainable alternatives. Spinks should have addressed the issue from the environmental, economic and social perspectives to reaffirm readers of the significance in adopting eco-solutions and the urgency for environmental conservation.

Reference

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

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

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

University of Michigan. (2009, April 24). Self-healing concrete for safer, more durable infrastructure. 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/

 

Revised: 8 April 2021

Commented on: Isqandar