our environment by contributing to greenhouse gas emissions that stop light reflecting back into space from the surface of the earth, something that is increasing the average global temperature year after year.As discussed previously, carbon dioxide (CO2) is the main waste product in the conversion of calcium carbonate into limestone, the main component of concrete. Fabric forming concrete allows us to use less concrete per structure by allowing for more fluid and efficient shapes to be created, which cut out unnecessary concrete masses. By decreasing the amount of concrete we need to use in each building, fabric formwork allows for less concrete being produced, and therefore decreases the amount of carbon dioxide emissions created by the construction industry. While I concede that fabric formwork might bring other benefits in greater amounts, I think it is impossible to ignore the wholly detrimental impact of concrete production on our environment – the consequences of which mean more in the bigger picture than any of the other benefits do. I believe that the second most significant benefit of utilising fabric formwork in construction is its improved functionality compared to normal concrete. In particular, I would say that the improved compressive strength it offers and the increased load-bearing capabilities are especially significant as they are improving upon integral parts of any structure – its durability and its stability. It is impossible to consider a building successful if it does not fulfil these basic requirements, and there are no negatives brought on by bettering these qualities. Simply, the stronger a building is and the more weight it can bear, the safer it is – which is a benefit that applies to many people. Another key component to this merit is the fact that it is not something you have to work to achieve – it is a naturally occurring benefit of fabric formwork and therefore applies to any application of the design. Since excess water can seep out of the pores in the membrane, there is less water trapped inside the concrete when it has fully set.The fewer pockets of air and water there are inside the concrete, the higher the average compressive strength the concrete will be.This, combined with effective design that caters to areas of high and low stress, means that fabric cast concrete does show significantly increased strength when tested against regularly cast concrete. While this is an incredibly notable benefit, I still believe that improved sustainability is more significant because it will benefit more than just the people who interact with the building, whereas increased functionality can, naturally, only have an effect on those who interact with the structure. I would say that the third most significant benefit is increased possibilities for design, as it not only provides a variety of new and interesting avenues for architects, it can also benefit those who interact with, or even just view, the building. It is a merit that can be appreciated by multiple
formwork advocates for innovative usage of the material and creates another dimension to the capabilities of concrete, encouraging all involved to think about how concrete can be used more sustainably. The reason I believe that the benefits regarding sustainability hold such significance, is less a measurement of how large the benefits themselves are, and more a demonstration of how important the context they sit in is. I concede that it is unlikely that the utilisation of fabric formwork in concrete would have a particularly noticeable effect on the climate crisis, however having even a slight impact holds more weight, in my opinion, than other economical or efficiency benefits. Conclusion In order to accurately assess which benefit I consider to be the most significant, I believe it is important to examine both to what extent fabric formwork applies each benefit and what weight these benefits hold in the context of the real world.The merits of fabric forming concrete that I will be evaluating are improved sustainability, decreased costs, improved functionality, and increased possibilities for design. Before I share my thoughts on which of the above-mentioned advantages of fabric forming concrete – as opposed to regular casting and application of concrete – holds the most gravity, I think it is necessary for me to recognise that different people would likely be in discord with regards to which benefit is most significant. There is always a range of people who are connected to the process of a building’s construction, and different people will have different aims for the structure. For example, contractors might be more concerned with the possible cost reductions, as it is their job to make sure that building costs are kept low in order to ensure the most sizeable profit. Architects and structural engineers might be more concerned by the increased compressive strength and load-bearing abilities, as it makes the structure stronger and invites more efficient design. People who simply view the building are likely to only experience the impact of one benefit – the improved range of design possibilities that allow for more interesting interpretations of concrete’s aesthetic capabilities as a design material.This is all to say that there is not necessarily a most definitive benefit that applies to everyone. All of the benefits offered by fabric formwork hold their own place in the end evaluation of a building, and all should be considered as important. From my point of view, the most significant benefit offered by fabric formwork is its merits in sustainability. It is clear that the production of concrete is having a notably negative impact on
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