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Shotcrete
Shotcrete is, in effect, a version of a cast-in-place
concrete wall. Rather than placing concrete into forms, however, a fresh
mix is sprayed onto wall panels that have been erected in the shape of
the building. A nozzleman applies concrete from a pressurized hose to
encompass the reinforcement and build up the wall thickness, forming structural
shapes that include walls, floors, roofs, and other assemblies. This material
has also been called “gunite” in reference to the nozzle or
“gun” used to shoot material at the form face. Any surface
suitable for accepting fresh concrete can be used: wood, steel, and polystyrene
are common. Finishes are often applied directly to the concrete while
it is still wet. More
on shotcrete.
East Ridge Development: Built Fast to Last
In Boynton Beach, Fla., Bond Building Systems developed and built the
East Ridge Development using a proprietary system based on shotcrete.
It took about one week to complete the shell of each house. All 30 homes
were perceived by purchasers to be a good value, preselling before they
were finished. More
on East Ridge.
Speedy Construction Meets Demanding Structural Performance
The M2 (Emmedue) system was used to build a Hotel
Intercontinental in Panama, an attractive beachfront property comprising
many buildings, some up to 5 stories in height. The backbone of the M2
system is a lightweight panel, which makes the system suited to rapid,
cost effective construction. A layer of concrete is applied to the panels
(as shotcrete) to add strength and create long term durability.
The buildings are safe: non-combustible and strong enough to resist hurricane- and tornado-force winds, earthquakes, and even explosions. In fact, the U.S. military and petrochemical industries are currently testing this system for blast protection. More on the M2 system.
Ask the Expert: Donn Thompson, Portland Cement Association
Q. What insulation options are available
with shotcrete wall systems?
A. Typical shotcrete wall assemblies feature
a core of insulation material sandwiched between two layers of reinforced
concrete. The prefabricated panels include a layer of expanded polystyrene
(EPS) insulation board between two welded wire faces. The thickness of
the insulation core can vary, but is most commonly 4 in. More
on insulation options for shotcrete.
The Finishing Touch: Terrazzo in Any Color is a Green
Floor System
According to the National Terrazzo and Mosaic Association, terrazzo was originally created in Italy more than 1500 hundred years ago by Venetian workers searching for a way to use discarded marble remnants – making it one of the world’s first green flooring systems. The material remains a composite that is poured in place or precast, and used for floor and wall treatments. Aggregates for terrazzo now include marble, quartz, granite, glass, plastic, or other suitable chips incorporated in a binder that is cementitious, chemical, or a combination of both. Following curing, terrazzo is ground and polished smooth or otherwise finished to produce a uniformly textured surface. More on terrazzo.
Green Multiple Listing Service (MLS) Toolkit Announced
The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has announced the availability
of a toolkit to help realtors better understand how “green”
features and benefits can increase the value of high-performance residential
construction. Developed in collaboration with the Appraisal Institute
and the US Green Building Council, the information provides a snapshot
of the green home industry, outlines why adopting a green initiative for
the MLS is important, and offers step-by-step implementation strategies.
The goal is to facilitate the addition of searchable fields for green
features in local MLSs. Case studies are also included along with sample
data entry forms and a glossary of green terms. For more information email
mondaymorningquestions@nahb.org
Comment Period for Public Version 1.0 of the International
Green Construction Code ends May 14, 2010
Only a few more days remain to submit comments on the first version of the International Green Construction Code IGCC, issued by the International Code Council to regulate construction of new and existing commercial buildings. You can access a copy of IGCC V 1.0 along with comment forms by clicking here. The goals to reduce energy usage as well as the resulting carbon footprint of commercial projects are laudable, but the proposed document does not address the functional resilience of new construction because it fails to consider the environmental impact of devastation from natural disasters. PCA has created recommended provisions that would enhance the durability and the disaster resistance of new construction. Click here to review a downloadable copy of the PCA document, High Performance Building Requirements for Sustainability. A public hearing to review the submitted comments will be held August 14 – 22, 2010 at The Westin O’Hare, Chicago, Ill.
NAHB Green Building Conference
May 16 -18, 2010, Raleigh, N.C.
Held first in 1999, the National Green Building Conference continues to be the largest national event focused on residential green building. There will be more than 30 educational sessions on various aspects of building more sustainable homes. Concrete Homes will be included on the home tours available prior to the start of the Conference on Sunday. With more than 110 exhibitors, ample opportunities will be available to learn more about various green building products and systems available for the green home builder and consumer. PCA will be helping to spread the word about the value of residential concrete by manning the NAHB Concrete Home Building Council Booth. More information.
Projects Registration Available for LEED-ND
The U.S. Green Building Council has announced the availability of LEED®
for Neighborhood Development. This new green rating system focuses on
subdivision development. Concrete offers solutions that can contribute
to the ability of subdivisions to earn points under LEED:
| • soil solidification and stabilization to reclaim Brownfield sites |
| • pervious concrete or permeable interlocking concrete pavers to control storm water runoff and reduce site disturbance |
| • concrete retaining walls to mitigate erosion on steeply sloped sites |
| • lighter color of concrete pavements to help reduce Heat Island impacts |
| • fire-resistant concrete to enhance more compact development |
Project teams can now begin the registration process in LEED Online and download forms for the Smart Location and Linkage (SSL) prerequisite review. Certification under LEED-ND is expected in late 2010 when full functionality of the program becomes available. See the GBCI website for more information.
PCA’s Forecast Offers Glimpses of Hope/Some Good News
PCA economic projections call for a 7.5% overall increase in new housing
starts activity, which reflects a 13% gain in single-family units but
a 14% decline in multifamily units. Compared to consensus estimates, PCA
is conservative, so there is upside potential. The news is less positive
in the short term for nonresidential construction, as declines continue
in 2010. Growth is expected to return in 2012 when the fundamentals for
nonresidential recovery—job creation and easier credit conditions—materialize.
For the full forecast, visit PCA's
Economic Research page.
Residential Concrete Updated for 2010
At its spring meeting in Chicago, ACI 332 on residential concrete worked
through public comments on Residential Code Requirements for Structural
Concrete and Commentary (ACI 332-10). The new version will be published
in 2010. The code portion of this document covers the design and construction
of cast-in-place concrete one- and two-family dwellings and multiple single-family
dwellings (townhouses), and their accessory structures. It is written
in a format that allows adoption by reference in a general building code
without change to its language.
Among the subjects covered are the design and construction requirements
for plain and reinforced concrete footings, foundation walls, and slabs-on-ground,
and requirements for concrete, reinforcement, forms, and other related
materials.
The metric counterpart of the same title, ACI 332M-10, will also be published in 2010.
For more information about when these documents are available in print or PDF formats, go to ACI.
ASTM Masonry Symposium
A Symposium on Masonry will be held June 8, 2010 at the Renaissance St.
Louis Grand and Suites Hotel, in conjunction with the June 8-11 standards
development meetings of the sponsoring ASTM technical committees C01,
C07, C12, and C15. The objective of the symposium is to gather and disseminate
the latest information on all aspects of masonry, including innovations
in materials, design, specification, construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation.
It will emphasize the application of ASTM standards to those areas, and
their coordination with building codes, project specifications, and international
standards. Visit ASTM.
Featured Publication: Finishing Concrete with Color and Texture
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Portland
Cement Association
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Skokie, IL 60077
847.966.6200 / Fax: 847.966.8389
email: info@cement.org
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