Reader's Response Draft 2: The Concrete Advantage

The article “The Concrete Advantage”, Green Rooftop website(n.d), claims that hydrophobic technology removes hazardous factors used in traditional rooftops and assures monetary returns for users. Concrete green roofs are sturdy and do not degrade over time. The article states that the use of waterproof concrete has helped to overcome the membranes which are the greatest disadvantage of green roofs and is found most speculative by users. In addition, the article mentioned that the builders' jobs are made easier since there is no use of membranes, eliminating the detriments in the build-up. The task can be accomplished more quickly as there is no concrete-cure waiting time before inclusion of the membrane, resulting in cost-effectiveness for the user. Root barriers are unnecessary as the growth of roots is eradicated with the use of waterproof concrete. The article also mentions that in the case where maintenance is needed on the green roof, a simple inoculation of polyurethane grout can be induced at the bottom, minimizing any harm towards the ecosystem.

The article underlines the positive effects and monetary value of using hydrophobic technology in green rooftops but it fails to provide validation and disregards Forschungsgesellschaft Landschaftsentwicklung Landschaftsbau(FLL) test which could validate the information, which, for my beliefs, makes this article less than satisfactory to promote hydrophobic technology within rooftops. Varieties of tests can be done find out more about to the technological features and functions of this new hydrophobic technology and among these tests, I believe that FLL, flood test, and spray test can help to increase the credibility of this article.

Green Rooftop mentioned that no FLL test has been done to substantiate the benefit of eliminating a root barrier. In my opinion, I believe that the author should provide the reader with some background information on what an FLL test is and why this test is carried out. To justify their claims, Green Rooftops should have provided sample test details of an FLL test report from the Center for Innovation and Technology Transfer (CRITT) Horticole and the Scientific and Technical Center for Building, a European notified body for construction products. The FLL testing techniques provide an output which can be compared with pre-set theoretical reference values and this will provide more valid justification to why hydrophobic technology is better compared to the traditional roofing system as the user can identify a clear and comparable data set from this test.

Flood testing provides an in-depth knowledge and understanding of the structural systems of the building and their safe load carrying capacity to show a clear comparison between the new system and the traditional roofing system. Flood testing is found to be the simplest of testing methods available, yet one of the most effective as it helps to analyze the durability of the hydrophobic technology (“Integrity Testing For Roofing and Waterproofing Membranes, ”2017).

Finally, the author could briefly mention the spray test which could be done to the roof to simulate normal to severe weather condition, this helps to identify leak sources in a roof. This test helps to ‘compare the permeability with different effects of a range of concrete’ and the performance of these different admixtures(“Structural Concrete Banner”,2018)

In closing, article "The Concrete Advantage" is less cogent due to lack of validation. Supporting data comparisons of tests mentioned previously must be presented in order to justify clearly the advantages of substituting traditional rooftop with hydrophobic technology.

References

Al‐Kheetan, M. J., Rahman, M. M., & Chamberlain, D. A. (2018, March 23). Development of hydrophobic concrete by adding dual‐crystalline admixture at mixing stage. Retrieved from https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/full/10.1002/suco.201700254

Evidence of Greenroof successes from across the country and around the world. (n.d).Retrieved from greenrooftops.org.

Green Rooftops: Concrete Green Roofs for Value and Durability. (n.d.). Retrieved fromhttp://www.greenrooftops.org/

Integrity Testing for Roofing and WaterproofingMembranes. (2017, July 06). Retrieved from https://www.wbdg.org/resources/integrity-testing-roofing-and-waterproofing-membranes

Philippi, P.M. (2002). Introduction to the German FLL-Guidelines for the Planning, Execution, and Upkeep of Green-Roof Sites. Retrieved from https://www.epa.gov/sites/production/files/documents/IntroductiontotheGermanFLL2.pdf

The Concrete Advantage. Retrieved on October 4, 2018, fromhttp://www.greenrooftops.org/advantage.html

Updated on 29/11/2018