PAVEMENT-VEHICLE INTERACTION II

PAVEMENT-VEHICLE INTERACTION II

In its “PVI Mechanistic Model Gen II” research brief (December 2013) CSHub extends earlier observation of pavement-vehicle interaction, which impacts truck fuel consumption and, in turn, concrete and asphalt life cycle assessment. The new model can account for the impact of temperature and vehicle speed, plus other pavement structural and material properties, on fuel consumption, and is thereby applicable to viscoelastic (e.g. asphalt concrete) pavements. Model Gen II provides what CSHub staff affirms is “a rigorous tool for comparative studies and LCA of the roadway network.”

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Robotic palletizer

Palletizer, Hamer Sales

The manufacturer had developed palletizing solutions for a variety of bagging applications following an integrator agreement for Motoman robotics with Yaskawa Co., a global leader in industrial robotic manufacturing. Hamer robotic palletizers feature high quality in-feed conveyors, designed specifically for industrial plant requirements, and are delivered on a design-build basis. 

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MICROSTRUCTURE-BASED KINETICS MODEL

MICROSTRUCTURE-BASED KINETICS MODEL

A November 2013 CSHub research profile letter, “Early hydration: A local business,” charts calorimetry (heat measurement) curves from tricalcium silicate paste experiments—with specimens of three particle size distributions (PSD)—to support a proposed model of microstructure-based kinetics. It suggests a “reaction zone” extending a few micrometers in from the cement particle surface, and can reconcile longtime observations on PSD and water/cement ratio.

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Lehigh Valley venue artfully balances basic building materials

PHOTOS: Barry Halkin Photography for Spillman Farmer Architects

Combining a restored concrete slab and existing timber construction, with new steel and clay masonry, the $1.7-million, 7,000-sq.-ft. Arts Plaza is a raw, open-air space for the arts at Lafayette College in Easton, Pa. The project transformed a former auto-repair facility into a dynamic outdoor teaching space that responds to its natural environment and built context. Designed as an outdoor black box theater, the plaza hosts a wide variety of planned and spontaneous artistic endeavors, including performance art, visual art exhibits, and small group musical performances.

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Health Product Declaration group eyes standardization

Sustainable design education services provider GreenCE, Inc. has partnered with the non-profit Health Product Declaration Collaborative to develop third-party verification and quality assurance consulting protocols for the Health Product Declaration (HPD), an open-standard format for reporting product content and associated health information for building products and materials.

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CERTIFICATION SPECIALIST OFFERS TARGET, TWO-TIER EPD PROGRAM

A leading third-party certifier for the green building industry, SCS Global Services has enhanced its Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and Health Product Declaration (HPD) support program. The enhancements are designed to more effectively fulfill what SCS contends is the promise of transparency, accuracy, scientific credibility, and comparability offered by these product declaration tools, while remaining flexible and responsive to the needs of individual companies.

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PLYCEM ADDS FIBER CEMENT SIDING IN SAINT-GOBAIN DEAL

Paris-based Saint-Gobain anticipates a firstquarter 2014 closing on the sale of its RoaringRiver, N.C.; Terre Haute, Ind.; and, WhiteCity, Ore., fiber cement siding facilities toAlpharetta, Ga.-based Plycem USA Inc., whichdistributes fiber cement trim sourced from aCosta Rica plant.

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Headwaters enters concrete roof tile market Via Entegra

Utah-based Headwaters Inc. has closed on separate transactions involving an 80 percent equity interest in Okeechobee, Fla.- based Roof Tile Inc., which produces and markets Entegra brand concrete lines in Florida and Caribbean markets, plus a 40 percent stake in a related joint venture behind Tag & Stick, a roofing underlayment product.

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