A survey of 1,500-plus professionals in the Americas, Europe and Asia finds that while most companies see the cost benefits of energy efficiency measures, the majority lack a clear strategy, concrete targets and a systematic approach to related goals. It was conducted by DNV GL – Business Assurance, a world leader among certification bodies, and the research institute GFK Eurisko.
Read MoreMonth: August 2015
ASTM Sustainability Committee Standardizes Water Stewardship
With an eye to a regulator, design professional and environmentalist user base, the new ASTM International Subcommittee E60.07 on Water Use and Conservation will target standards supporting sustainability and sustainable development of water-related products and processes.
Read MoreMajor auditor NSF attains accreditation for PCR development, EPD verification
Global public health organization NSF International, Ann Arbor, Mich., is among the first organizations to be recognized by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as a program operator for product category rules (PCR) development and environmental product declarations (EPD) verification. As a PCR and EPD program operator, NSF International will help meet growing demand for standardization of science-based environmental data, reporting and verification.
Promoting Performance-Based Solutions
The NRMCA Research Engineering and Standards (RES) Committee has revised Guide to Improving Specifications for Ready Mixed Concrete (2PE004) to reflect the recently released ACI 318-14, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. First published in 2009, the document is a tool for ready mixed producers to minimize prescriptive provisions in actual project specifications and encourage performance-based solutions.
NRMCA department shift prioritizes Local Paving, Building Structures
The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has restructured its promotion, technical services and sustainability programs and staff into two separate departments. Pending board approval, the National Resource Directors Division, known more informally as Promotion, will be renamed Local Paving and operate under Brian Killingsworth, senior vice president/division head.
ORGANIZATIONS – August 2015
The Construction Materials group of RJ Lee Group in Monroeville, Pa., has been accredited by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials for demonstrated testing proficiency. Accredited laboratories must have a quality management system that meets AASHTO criteria and guidelines for “establishing and implementing a quality management system for use by a construction materials laboratory.”
Read MoreDCC befits Colorado Veterans Monument
Volunteer members of the American Society of Concrete Contractors’ Decorative Concrete Council traveled to the Rocky Mountains to place and finish a decorative concrete slab for the Ken Caryl Veterans Monument, outside Denver. The monument is being built to commemorate veterans as well as those on active duty and in the reserves in all U.S. Armed Forces branches.
Pavement Dowel Bar Standard Advances Quality Control, Assurance Measures
The forthcoming ASTM E3013, Test Method for Evaluating Concrete Pavement Dowel Bar Alignment Using Magnetic Pulse Induction, will reinforce quality control and quality assurance measures behind durable, smooth mainline highways and airport runways. New to North America, magnetic pulse induction a) measures steel dowel alignment in concrete pavement joints, where the bars transfer loads from one slab to the next; and, b) yields data with which agencies or owners can determine if the dowel installation meets project specs.
ACI schedules 25 stops on fall 318-14 Building Code seminar schedule
The American Concrete Institute is offering a series of fall seminars on ACI 318-14, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary. In addition, the seminars are now available as an online course through ACI University, and can be purchased for an individual user or for a group of five individual at a reduced rate. Participants can now learn about the new code directly from an expert during a live seminar, or at their own pace by taking the online course through ACI University.
Hardscape specialist ensures rainwater harvesting good to the last drop
San Antonio-based Big Grass, a key source of sustainable home and garden décor in Texas, has expanded its Ong jar line of cement-based rainwater harvesting collection vessels to meet the growing demand for water conservation solutions.