On a national scale between 1996 and 2014, damages in the US due to hazards (such as hurricanes, tornadoes, floods, earthquakes, wildfires, etc.) totalled over US$377 billion, according to the National Weather Service. The PCA’s report notes that reinforced concrete structures reduce recovery costs after disasters hit. The upfront costs of incorporating resilient concrete features may not be significant and are likely to save money in the long run.
The report also considers how concrete buildings are the new ‘green’ buildings. Structures that last longer reduce environmental footprint because their emissions, attributed to heating, cooling, and operation, can be spread over many decades. Incorporating concrete can also contribute towards achieving points in the ‘United States Green Building Council LEED’ programme, which is the leading programme for green building communities worldwide.
“US taxpayers cannot afford to continue building and rebuilding the way we did in the past,” said Michael Ireland, President and CEO of the PCA. “Strong, robust structures ensure community continuity and provide long lasting value for scarce taxpayer dollars.”
