Concrete Thinking "LEEDs" to Green Buildings

Architect Doug Farr thrives on the challenge of designing buildings and communities that integrate materials effectively to maximize human and natural benefits, creating healthy and vibrant places to live and work. Farr counts on concrete to achieve his sustainable development goals.

Through the use of concrete and other green elements the Bethel Commercial Center, a new, mixed-use transit center in a low-income neighborhood on Chicago’s west side, is expected to use 50 percent less energy than conventional construction. The building has been designed to achieve a LEED^® (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) Gold rating. More.

Concrete played a key role in Farr Associates design of Sanctuary Place. Green elements have been integrated to create an effective thermal envelope, reduce sound transmission between apartments, and provide a durable, safe and healthy living place. Sanctuary Place relies on passive solar heat for some of its energy needs. The building is designed to pull in the sunlight from outdoors and since concrete is such a good solar sink it retains the heat from the sun to maintain a more constant temperature in the evening hours. More.

For more case studies on green buildings, click here.

2006 Commercial Sector Increases Will Offset Expected Decline in Residential Construction

In his 2005 Fall Forecast PCA chief economist Ed Sullivan predicted increases in commercial construction and public works construction in 2006, after three years of large declines. Nonresidential construction activity, excluding public construction, is expected to grow 2.8 percent in 2005, with a 7 percent increase predicted for 2006. Double-digit increases in industrial construction (19.1 percent in 2005, 12.2 percent in 2006) will lead the way, with hospital, institutional construction increasing 6.4 percent in 2005 and 8.8 percent in 2006. Click here for the full report.

USGBC To Use Southface Eco Office as Training Facility

The new Eco Office of the Southface Energy Institute, an Atlanta, Ga.-based organization focused on promoting sustainable development, is designed to be the region’s most prominent “green” building. Currently under construction, the extensive use of concrete in the structure showcases concrete’s benefits in sustainable development and demonstrates its versatility.

The building’s use of ICF wall systems offer improved energy performance and lower heating and cooling costs. Pervious concrete on sidewalks and similar hardscape around the exterior of the building will result in less runoff. The pervious concrete will also reduce heat storing capacity, creating a cooler surface, a particularly important asset in cities like Atlanta where the urban heat island effect raises temperatures significantly in the metropolitan area. A concrete-based “green roof” will reduce stormwater runoff, provide additional insulation, and further help reduce the heat island effect. More.

New Engineers Under Fire

The fourth Novice Series article published in Concrete International focuses on fire endurance for concrete design. “Member sizes are not simply functions of load, span, and formwork costs, but they can also be functions of requirements for fire safety. Fire considerations must, therefore, be part of the preliminary design stages.”

Fire ratings for various building assemblies are determined by their endurance to a standard fire as described in ASTM E119. This ASTM Standard specifically states the endpoint conditions the assembly must achieve to receive a prescribed fire rating.
Read the article.

Placing Reinforcing Bars

This 8th edition, published by the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI), is a unique and popular resource that presents the best accepted current practices in placing reinforcing bars. It is written for apprentices, journeymen ironworkers, and inspectors. The book can be used for preparing provisions in project specifications. More.

pcaStructurePoint Supports Concrete Design Programs at Universities

As part of PCA’s University Outreach Program, pcaStructurePoint recognizes the important role of concrete design education for the next generation of structural engineers. To support concrete design programs at universities, pcaStructurePoint offers substantial discounts on licensing its software for educational and research purposes. If you are interested in such a license please send an e-mail to univ@pcaStructurePoint.com or click here to learn more about the available software products.

Additional support in purchasing concrete design software can be sought via university programs offered by Regional Promotion Groups. Click here for a map and contact information for the group in your location.

Concrete Tanks

The design of reinforced (non-prestressed) concrete tanks requires that attention be given not only to strength requirements, but to serviceability requirements as well. A properly designed tank must be able to withstand the applied loads without cracks that could cause leakage. The goal of designing and constructing a structurally sound tank that will not leak is achieved by providing the proper amount and distribution of reinforcement, the proper spacing and detailing of construction joints, and the use of quality concrete, placed using proper construction practices. More.

Take advantage of a special combination offer of three of PCA's most popular tank publications: Rectangular Concrete Tanks (IS003), Circular Concrete Tanks Without Prestressing (IS072), and Design of Liquid-Containing Concrete Structures for Earthquake Forces (EB219) and save $20.
XC025—$90