The system is made of concrete and concrete is one of the most
sustainable and durable materials used in construction today. Its life
cycle costs are among the lowest of any wall system. Crushed masonry and
concrete waste can be recycled back into the manufacturing process
rather than be dumped in a landfill which lowers energy use. This
sustains current needs with current resources.
Lightweight Concrete Aggregate for Masonry
ESC lightweight aggregate is made from plentiful natural deposits of
select clay or shale. These materials, usually not beneficial for
construction aggregates in themselves, are modified by a simple process
of firing in a rotary kiln at temperatures of 2000 degrees F. The raw
material is transformed into a pyro-plastic condition. The molten
material is expanded by very hot internal gases and transformed into a
strong ceramic particle. These particles are then crushed and sized
according to need. Fine particles are recovered from our primary
crushing operations and qualify as a
recycled material for LEED Credit
4.1 and 4.2, Recycled Content.
This beneficiation process sustains and extends the lifespan of current
and future heavyweight aggregate quarries. Typical quarry acquisitions
are getting more difficult to develop. Access to natural resources for
typical heavy aggregate continues to decline due to environmental
concerns or the fact that these deposits are covered over by real estate
development. Very often construction aggregates must be transported vast
distances, increasing fuel usage and the carbon footprint.
ESC is Green and Sustainable
Lightweight Aggregate: More lightweight aggregate is shipped to the
block producer than heavyweight aggregates per truckload. For example,
most truckloads haul about 25 tons of payload on their 18-wheelers. That
is about 500 cubic feet of heavyweight material. With lightweight ECS,
that same 25-ton load will haul about 833 cubic feet of material. This
means 67% more material is shipped per truckload. These trucks typically
get about 6 mpg of diesel fuel.
It’s not just he diesel fuel used that is reduced. Fewer trips
will be made by that same truck, thus reducing traffic loads and other
costs related to operating these vehicles. The carbon footprint
generated by transportation is dramatically reduced.
Lightweight Block: More concrete masonry units are shipped to the
jobsite because the blocks weigh less than the heavyweight units. Many
block producers say they can load 288 to 360 more block per truckload of
lightweight ESC block as compared to heavyweight block, filling every
space available on the 18-wheeler flatbed trailer.
In summary, there are many reasons why using the
PyroTherm Masonry Wall System
or lightweight block are the sustainable thing to do:
-
The system is recyclable because it is concrete.
-
Less fuel is used to deliver ESC lightweight aggregate to the block
plant facility and delivery efficiencies are realized by using fewer
trucks to deliver the same amount. Less carbon footprint.
-
Less fuel is used to deliver ESC lightweight block to the jobsite and
delivery efficiencies are enhanced by using fewer trucks. Less carbon
footprint.
-
Turning plentiful clay or shale into a strong, lightweight construction
aggregate extends the lifespan of current and future aggregate quarries.
Sustainability.
Added sustainable elements include the ease of wall delivery by using
lighter units that reduce stress on the masonry contractor and help to
ensure the sustainability of the available workforce by increasing
productivity and reducing injuries. Total energy used during
construction is reduced due to faster completion times.
And less reinforcement or concrete could be
achieved due to reduced footing and foundation requirements due to less
dead load in the structure.
