Sponsored Advertising Content
Aerial photo of McNary Dam, a 1.4-mile long concrete gravity run-of-the-river dam which spans the Columbia River connecting Oregon and Washington.
Water management, transportation networks, structures that protect us from natural disasters, ports, and buildings – these are critical to society and are at the heart of USACE Civil Works activity throughout the United States. As the structures that make up these vital assets age and decay, what is the best path to maintaining continuity of service with sustainability in mind? In 1987, the United Nations Brundtland Commission defined sustainability as “meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.” As concrete infrastructure ages, it is often demolished, and new infrastructure is built in its place. How does this cycle
balance with meeting the needs of future generations? Building new concrete infrastructure consumes massive amounts of natural resources and has a significant overall impact on the environment. As society continues to grapple with the challenges posed by climate change,
resource depletion, and rapid urbanization, extending the life of existing concrete infrastructure comes into focus. A recent paper published by International Concrete Repair Institute1 states, “The thoughtful extension of the life of existing structures through careful repair and a commitment to longterm maintenance is a responsible answer to the reality of reducing our impact on the environment.” Increasing the service life of existing infrastructure is the essence of delivering a sustainable future, and the pathway
The appearance of or reference to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, the U.S. Army, the U.S. Department of Defense, or the U.S. Government does not imply or indicate endorsement by any of these entities.
56 I AMERICA’S ENGINEERS
STRUCTURAL
PRESERVING INFRASTRUCTURE DELIVERS SUSTAINABILITY
