Leading up to the MAP-21 legislation that will stabilize federal highway and bridge funding through fall 2014 (note page 8), Capitol Hill saw another sound challenge to the languishing coal ash rule the Environmental Protection Agency proposed two years ago. As concrete producers and allies know all too well, the agency’s “Identification and Listing of Special Wastes: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) from Electric Utilities” includes an option that would classify impoundment- or landfill-bound coal ash as hazardous waste. Opponents correctly point to the highly negative effect that would have on market prospects for recyclable coal ash products, especially fly ash.
Read MoreMonth: July 2012
Engineers prepare to test masonry shear walls’ seismic performance
Source: University of California, San Diego
A full-scale, two-story masonry shear wall system will be tested in late August on the outdoor shake table at the Englekirk Structural Engineering Center of UCSD.
Read More2012 MIT Industry Day: Invest, Innovate, Invigorate, Implement
Source: RMC Research & Education Foundation, Silver Spring, Md.
“Research with an I4 Sustainable Change” is the theme of this year’s Concrete Sustainability Hub Research Progress Update for Industry and Key Stakeholders gathering, September 27 at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge.
Read MoreCemex launches latest ready-mix brand for sustainable building
Source: Cemex, S.A.B. de C.V., Monterrey, Mexico
Mexican construction materials giant Cemex recently launched its latest global ready-mix concrete brand, Insularis, offering a portfolio of construction solutions and products designed to improve the energy efficiency of buildings, thus intensifying the company’s commitment to bring about industry-transforming sustainable construction practices. Insularis is already being offered in Mexico and France, and the industrialization of this technology is under way in a number countries where Cemex has operations.
Read MoreNRMCA expands Technology in Practice series
Source: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.
NRMCA has introduced three new topics—bringing the total to eight—in its Technology in Practice (TIP) series of information sheets for industry personnel to educate themselves on general quality control/quality assurance and technical topics. The introduction is part of a broad quality initiative headed by NRMCA’s Research Engineering and Standards (RES) Committee which created the TIP series.
Read MoreProposed ASTM fines test stands to expand range of concrete-suited aggregate
Source: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.
ASTM Subcommittee C09.20 on Normal Weight Aggregates, part of Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates, is developing a standard to distinguish between harmful and non-harmful fines in construction aggregate.
Read MoreASTM D04 eyes standard for resolving paving material test result differences
Source: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa
Buyers and sellers of road and paving materials will be the primary users of a proposed standard under Subcommittee D04.94 on Statistical Procedures and Evaluation of Data, part of ASTM International Committee D04 on Road and Paving Materials.
Read MoreOldcastle groups masonry products into Artisan collection
Source: Oldcastle Architectural, Atlanta
Oldcastle Architectural has branded a collection of high-density, pre-finished architectural concrete masonry units whose designs reflect timeless aesthetic appeal with artisan, hand-cut appearances as Artisan Masonry Stone Veneers.
Read MoreFly ash, chemical interests hold their ground in highway bill, LEED debates
Leading up to the MAP-21 legislation that will stabilize federal highway and bridge funding through fall 2014 (note page 8), Capitol Hill saw another sound challenge to the languishing coal ash rule the Environmental Protection Agency proposed two years ago. As concrete producers and allies know all too well, the agency’s “Identification and Listing of Special Wastes: Disposal of Coal Combustion Residuals (CCR) from Electric Utilities” includes an option that would classify impoundment- or landfill-bound coal ash as hazardous waste. Opponents correctly point to the highly negative effect that would have on market prospects for recyclable coal ash products, especially fly ash.
Read MoreASTM C595 acknowledges 15% limestone threshold
Sources: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.; National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.
The ASTM C595-12 Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements defines requirements for a new powder: Type IL, portland-limestone blended cement, which includes 5–15 percent limestone as an ingredient. Adoption of Type IL product has the potential to reduce environmental impact of cement production by about 10 percent, while maintaining performance characteristics concrete producers require for specified mixes. The requirements for Type IL cement are the most significant change to C595 in 2012.
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