BY KWK ARCHITECTS In areas of the country where dangerous tornadoes and severe weather occur more frequently, more universities are incorporating reinforced rooms, or storm shelters, in their residence hall designs to provide an extra layer of protection for students. These tornado-safe rooms are typically small, above- or below-ground structures made of concrete, masonry or steel—all proven to withstand extreme…
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Paving the Year Forward
Five resolutions for the ready-mixed concrete industry. Happy New Year! From here on out, may our days be filled with more light, hope and resolutions for a better future. Taking a cue from Abraham Lincoln, who said, “The best way to predict the future is to create it,” let’s build a better outlook for our businesses and our industry. We…
Read MoreBuilding Better, Lighter, Stronger: We Have the Technology
Since the 1950s, the construction industry in the United States has reaped the benefits of using precast, prestressed concrete. These products increase installation efficiencies, provide ideal curing conditions for better concrete, and standardize measurements through mass production. However, because precast, prestressed concrete must be shipped to the jobsite, it can contribute to higher transportation costs. In addition, it comes with…
Read MoreConcrete A I(nnovation)
Concrete mix technology is demanding and, all too often, thankless. We ask our people to guarantee the structural integrity of the design and minimize costs despite the host of bad things that can happen with mix components and transit. When things go right, our folks are invisible. Yet when things go wrong, they are the first to bear the brunt…
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