Text 5. Alternatives to regular concrete

Fly-ash concrete, available in many regions, offers an alternative to conventional concrete. Fly-ash is a waste material - the inorganic residue - that remains after pulverized coal is burned in coal-burning power plants. Disposing of it can be a problem. Fortunately, the construction industry has discovered that fly-ash can produce a superior concrete with excellent finishing characteristics. It can replace up to 35 percent of the Portland cement found in conventional concrete mixes.

Each ton of fly-ash used to replace a ton of cement saves the equivalent of approximately one barrel of oil. By replacing cement, the ash produces less of the greenhouse gases that contribute to global warming. Coal fly-ash can also replace clay, sand, limestone and gravel, saving the energy costs of mining such materials.

While fly-ash concrete offers a "greener" alternative to regular concrete mixes, it may not be appropriate for every use. Check with a qualified building professional to see if it fits your application.

Recycled aggregates and lightweight aggregates can replace the usual sand and gravel in some concrete applications. Recycled aggregate can consist of crushed concrete, brick, or crushed glass. Lightweight concrete is made by using expanded volcanic materials - pumice and perlite, for example - to replace some of the usual stone aggregate. Because these materials place less weight on structures, they are of particular value when used on either wood or lightweight steel floors. Volcanic materials also add some thermal insulation value to the concrete.