Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner with us
MCAA Logo
Log in Sign up Join Hi, there Account
2026 Midyear Registration is OPEN
Find a contractor Buyer's guide Partner
Log in Sign up Join Account

MIT Research on Concrete Released

Words: Francine AbramoffThe Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) recently released preliminary research findings that will help set a new standard in life-cycle assessment (LCA) modeling for building materials. The studies, which are part of an ongoing research initiative at the MIT Concrete Sustainability Hub, will quantify the cradle-to-grave environmental costs of paving and building materials, and will ultimately result in the most comprehensive LCA model produced to-date. "This groundbreaking research highlights the dramatic cost savings for builders, homeowners, municipal governments and taxpayers. The preliminary research shows that not only do concrete homes, buildings and roads last longer, but using these materials provides energy savings and a reduction of carbon emissions".

MIT's research reports:
  • Residential buildings and high volume roads - more than 85% of the life-cycle carbon emissions are due to the use phase.

  • Potential for significant fuel efficiency savings for vehicles on concrete pavements over asphalt. These fuel efficiency savings could lead to substantially lower life-cycle CO2 emissions.

  • The advantages of Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) homes to deliver energy savings in heating, cooling, and ventilation compared to conventional wood-framed construction - up to 20% or more in operational energy savings.

  • There are measurable differences between alternative construction systems, and that the thermal mass of concrete can provide energy savings over a life cycle of 75 years. Life cycle assessment provides a rigorous means of testing and demonstrates that concrete buildings can offer reductions in carbon emissions compared to alternative construction materials.
"This groundbreaking research highlights the dramatic cost savings for builders, homeowners, municipal governments and taxpayers. The preliminary research shows that not only do concrete homes, buildings and roads last longer, but using these materials provides energy savings and a reduction of carbon emissions," said Gilberto Perez, President of CEMEX USA.MIT is set to release a follow-up study in 2011 that analyzes the economic costs of building and paving materials. This will provide the most comprehensive analysis of the total costs of building and paving materials.

MIT is a world-renowned leader in research, education, and higher learning. Established in 2009, MIT's Concrete Sustainability Hub is a collaborative effort to integrate the best science on concrete and similar materials into industry practices. The MIT Sustainability Hub includes researchers from three schools at MIT: MIT's School of Engineering, MIT's School of Architecture and Planning, and MIT's Sloan School of Management.

To view the study, please visit: web.mit.edu/cshub.
 0
Properties and Advantages of Brick Cavity Walls
June 2026

Many compound words are self-explanatory "descriptive names." Sunglasses are glasses that block the sun. A fireplace is a place to build a fire. A cavity wall is exactly that: a wall assembly that contains a cavity. Previously, this concept was used prim

Technical Talks
Read More
The “Small Job” Safety Trap: Why Safety Sometimes Fades When the Spotlight Disappears
June 2026

Before I was fortunate enough to lead Malta Dynamics, I spent a couple of years as a traveling salesman for the company. My territory covered the entire country (and some beyond), and in a typical year, I visited more than 100 jobsites across nearly every

Greg Brown
Safety Library
Read More
Supporting Mental Health in the Workplace
June 2026

As a business owner and leader, taking the mental health of your employees seriously and understanding how it can impact their work is essential. In fact, one in five adults experiences a mental health condition annually. Addressing mental health is more

Patrick Cunningham
MAP Partner
Read More
Bonding with Masonry 2026: Q2
June 2026

This issue’s questions come from a Mason Contractor and an Engineer. What questions do you have? Send them to info@masonrymagazine.com, attention Technical Talk.

David Biggs
Bonding with Masonry
Read More