Consortium to set standards and create markets for low-carbon concrete

A consortium of construction firms, property developers, and building engineers have pledged to drive down the carbon emissions of concrete.

The new ConcreteZero initiative consists of 17 companies that have pledged to bring the proportion of “low-emissions” concrete they use to 30% by 2025 and 50% by 2030. Major European construction firms including Laing O’Rourke, Mace, Skanska UK, and Willmott Dixon; property owners and developers including Canary Wharf Group and Grosvenor; and engineering firms including Buro Happold and Thornton Tomasetti are aiming to use only zero-carbon concrete by 2050.

The 2050 goal is a high mark that will likely be hard to reach. Cement production accounts for between 7% and 8% of global carbon emissions today. With increasing demand for concrete for construction, and the carbon-intensity of global cement production growing, emissions from concrete production have been rising in recent years.

But options to reduce the carbon-intensity of concrete are broadly available, practical, and cost-effective today, building decarbonization experts say. ConcreteZero is modeled on similar Climate Group initiatives including a pledge to boost the use of renewable energy to commit to sourcing more low-carbon steel.

Illumination Series panels made for a trouble-free, quick installation at a cost-effective price. The design for Red Hawk Elementary School stems from the desire to create a vibrant place for kids to learn. In an effort to achieve this design, RB+B Architects selected Nichiha USA to provide a durable yet modern, contemporary exterior finish.

| Mar 29, 2012

U.K.’s Manchester Airport tower constructed in nine days

Time-lapse video shows construction workers on the jobsite for 222 continuous hours.

Meridian Design Build has been selected to act as general contractor for a 38-ac

| Mar 28, 2012

Meridian Design Build Begins work on 38 acre redevelopment project

The project includes construction of a new 150,585-sf cross dock facility that will include full service truck maintenance and repair bays, a truck wash, and approximately 20,000-sf of corporate office space.

This is the 5th total precast concrete building solution that Blue Sea Developme

| Mar 27, 2012

Precast concrete used for affordable, sustainable housing in New York

Largest affordable housing development in the nation will provide housing for close to 500,000 people.

The Stego Wrap vapor barrier has been submitted to the HPD Working Group a volun

| Mar 16, 2012

Stego embarks on HPD Pilot Program

Vapor barrier manufacturer strives to provide better green choices to designers and builders.

Contractors want to preserve the Harmon as possibly the world's largest trial ex

| Mar 14, 2012

Hearing to decide fate of unfinished Harmon in Las Vegas under way

The testimony began with CityCenter consulting engineer Chukwuma Ekwueme methodically showing photo after photo of parts of the Harmon, where he and his team had chipped away the concrete pillars and beams to examine the steel reinforcing bars inside.