The latest Federal Highway Administration National Bridge Inventory (NBI) data show a total of 25 percent of the nation’s bridges 20 ft. or longer are either structurally deficient or functionally obsolete. Eleven percent of the 600,000-plus NBI crossings are structurally deficient, indicating significant deterioration of the deck, supports or other major components. Structurally deficient crossings may be posted for lower weight limits or closed if their condition warrants.
Read MoreMonth: July 2013
MIT CSHub’s well-directed energies
New U.S. Energy Information Administration (EIA) figures reinforce a well-worn statistic in the climate change discussion: portland cement production accounts for about 5 percent of global carbon dioxide emissions. The carbon load reflects high temperature raw feed preheating and kiln phases, plus power-hungry clinker grinding.
Read MoreAtlas Block premiers Environmental Product Declaration for a CMU
Sources: Atlas Block Co. Ltd, Midland, Ontario; CarbonCure Technologies, Halifax, N.S.; CP staff
Responding to architectural/engineering/construction interests’ increasing scrutiny of project specs and their impacts, Atlas Block has issued an Environmental Product Declaration—the first for a concrete masonry unit molded in North America.
Read MoreCarbon Leadership Forum schedules Life Cycle Assessment/EPD session
Source: Carbon Leadership Forum (CLF) at University of Washington Department of Architecture, College of Built Environments, Seattle
CLF is hosting a workshop on Life Cycle Assessment in the building industry, September 13, 8:30 a.m.–12:30 p.m., on the University of Washington campus. Sessions will feature academic and practitioner perspectives on implementing LCA.
Read MoreDayton Superior braces for key role in web-based tilt-up design
Source: Tilt-Up Design Systems LLC (TDS), Heathrow, Fla.
A new technology sponsorship enables Dayton Superior Corp. to provide tilt-up concrete practitioners running TDS Tilt-Werks software with project data—from material estimates to lifting and bracing requirements, all in real time—to streamline wall design and construction. “Projects developed using Tilt-Werks will have immediate access to our services, starting with preconstruction and continuing all the way to tilt-up lifting and bracing engineering,” says Dayton Superior Director of Engineering Rick Lindstrom.
Read MoreEnvironmental Product Declarations workshop dovetails ASTM C09 committee meetings
Sources: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.; CP staff
“An Introduction to Product Category Rules (PCR), Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) and Other Aspects of Sustainable Process and Resilient Materials” will be held December 8 at the Hyatt Regency Jacksonville (Fla.) Riverfront, host venue of ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates standards development meetings.
Read MoreReport finds hardscape units underpinning good landscape market outlook
Sources: Freedonia Group, Cleveland; CP staff
With the tailwind of a home building rebound from low 2012 base levels, U.S. demand for landscaping products is projected to grow 6.9 percent per year through 2017, to $6.5 billion—a welcome projection for producers and suppliers who have seen a slow recovery from the 2007-2009 recession.
Read MoreExecutive Blockmakers’ Workshop set for August
Source: World Center for Concrete Technology (WCCT), Besser Co., Alpena, Mich.
The Executive Blockmakers Session, August 13-15 at the WCCT in Alpena, Mich., is tailored to those in upper management, but new to the concrete products industry and not involved in day-to-day plant operations.
Read MoreACI Fall Convention: Innovation in Conservation
Source: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.
In line with its theme, “Innovation in Conservation: The Rise of Phoenix,” the ACI Fall 2013 Convention, October 20-24 at the Hyatt Regency & Phoenix Convention Center, will feature over 50 technical sessions and numerous committee meetings giving attendees the opportunity to earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs). Topics will include Emerging Technologies and What’s New in Curing Concrete; discussions on Innovation in Cooling Mass Concrete; and, an introduction of new trends in Design and Construction.
Read MoreManifold to replace Chief Executive Lee at Oldcastle parent
Sources: CRH Plc, Dublin; CP staff
Albert Manifold, CRH chief operating officer and board member since January 2009, will become group chief executive in January 2014, succeeding Myles Lee, who is retiring after 32 years with the company—the last five at the helm.
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