Technical paper confirms brick sustainability

The sustainability of brick has been confirmed in a technical paper by Surrey University's Department of Civil Engineering and Surrey County Council.

The Brick Development Association (BDA) welcomed the findings of The Application of Life Cycle Assessment Technique in the Investigation of Brick Arch Highway Bridges.

"Over the past year the BDA has taken a proactive stance towards developing a comprehensive sustainability strategy for the brick industry. To have well recognised research institutions conduct a paper which fully support our credentials helps to add further weight to our case," said BDA chief executive Con Lenan.

The research highlights the environmental benefits of brickwork, foremost of which is the low maintenance requirement and general longevity of brickwork - two factors that demonstrate brick's sustainable credentials.

The paper also assesses the environmental consequences of various maintenance regimes associated with brick bridge structures, as well as presenting the environmental rationale for the selection of sustainable strengthening techniques to prolong the working life of such structures.