Since the first environmental conference, held in Rio de Janeiro in 1992, the concept of environmentally sustainable construction has found increasing acceptance. Energy consumed, not only in the construction process, but also in obtaining raw materials and producing construction components, should be taken into account. Alternative pavement designs should be evaluated on a life-cycle cost basis, in which all costs, including environmental costs, are quantified throughout the life of the pavement, from obtaining raw materials through construction, maintenance and vehicle operating costs to material salvage value at the end of the service life. In terms of environmental sustainability, concrete appears quite favourably. In construction and maintenance of pavements for roads, airfields, ports, container yards, etc. the use of concrete in the form of pavers offers particular advantages for environmental sustainability. A well-constructed block pavement has a long life and requires little maintenance. When openings have to be made, for example to gain access to buried services, no jackhammers are used and comparatively little energy is required. When the pavement is reinstated, the blocks which have been lifted and cleaned can be relaid. The pavement is restored to its former condition and virtually no new materials are required. This compares favourably with materials and energy required to open and reinstate pavements consisting of concrete slabs or those with bituminous surfacing. The principal constituents of a block pavement are briefly described and the factors favouring the use of block pavements for sustainable development are presented. (A)
Abstract