Concrete is the most consumed material, next only to Water. This strikes a very poignant note…. And rightly so! Concrete, since decades and ages, has proved time and again, to be that robust material which has withstood all types of tests in time, be it the weathering action or the harsh changes in climatic conditions. Concrete has been put to a bewildering varieties of use be it construction of Large Dams, Tunnels, Viaducts, Grade separators, Highways, Runways, Support infrastructure or simply in any type of Buildings – small or large or very large. In fact there is no other material, as on date, as versatile, agile or trusted, as CONCRETE!

Concrete has become ubiquitous as being called as the MAGIC MATERIAL. However, with the stupendous success of CONCRETE as a Construction material by choice for construction of any type of man-made structure, the rapidly depleting Natural resources and concurrent climatic changes has brought a poignant note of concern. Though there is no material in sight, as of now, that can replace CONCRETE as a material of choice with similar intrinsic traits of quality assurance, robustness, resilience, agility, mouldability and durability, the use of concrete has come in for sharp, renewed focus.

Sustainability is a non-negotiable criterion, in any endeavor of development, going forward. We need to leave behind a better world than what it was when we entered. As we ramp up on Research and development in our quest to discover and invent new alternatives to various constituents of CONCRETE, the prudent way is to smartly enhance the efficiency towards use of concrete through judicious Engineering Design and Concrete-mix determination. In addition, enhancing the serviceable life of structures, through retrofitting and life-enhancement endeavors, is the prudent way forward.

Collaboration is the effective way forward. Collaboration means, just not between two entities; it should be a team effort cascading across multiple core-skill sets of proficiency ranging from Chemistry, Geology, Constructability, Recyclability, Sustainability, socio-economic factors, governance, policy, Academia, Industry and beyond.

Lets all come together to enhance the world of CONCRETE and associated body-of-knowledge, towards a greener, affordable, friendly and as ‘a-best-material-by-choice’.

Er.H.R.Girish
Chairman
Indian Concrete Institute-Bengaluru Centre, INDIA.