Cement and Concrete Day on Hill dovetails Transportation Coalition Fly-In

Source: Portland Cement Association, Skokie, Ill.

Cement and concrete interests will convene April 14-15 in Washington, D.C., joining participants in the annual Transportation Construction Coalition Legislative Fly-In. Organizers aim to stress to federal lawmakers the urgency of reauthorizing the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21) bill, set to expire at the end of May.

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Super Air Meter gauges void spacing, freeze-thaw durability prospects

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A modified version of the ASTM C231, Standard Test Method for Air Content of Freshly Mixed Concrete by the Pressure Method vessel, the Super Air Meter (SAM) measures air-void spacing and air content of plastic concrete in about 10 minutes. Void spacing has been shown to be a better indicator of freeze-thaw durability than total air content, SAM developers note, but challenging to pinpoint—especially in the fresh concrete.

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NRMCA certifies five Graniterock plants’ Environmental Product Declarations

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Northern California’s leading independent aggregate and concrete operator, Graniterock, has issued Environmental Product Declarations covering 30 mixes at three central and two transit mixed plants serving Silicon Valley and coastal markets south. National Ready Mixed Concrete Association certified the documents as an EPD Program Operator, adding them to a growing industry library hosted on its website.

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Multifamily lender lowers interest rates for LEED-certified projects

As part of its Multifamily Green Initiative, Fannie Mae is granting a 10 basis point reduction in the interest rate of a refinance, acquisition or supplemental mortgage loan for a multifamily property carrying certification or recognition under U.S. Green Building Council LEED, EPA Energy Star or Enterprise Green Communities programs. On a $10 million dollar loan amortizing over 30 years, an owner could save $95,000 in interest payments across a 10-year term based on 3.9 percent versus 4 percent market rate.

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