The Ready Mixed Concrete Industry LEED Reference Guide

Of all the green building design and construction evaluation programs in the Unites States, the United States Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED Rating System is the most widely adopted standard. Public and private companies, government agencies, trade groups, and other entities throughout the United States construction industry have adopted LEED as the standard for determining a building’s degree of sustainability. Recognizing the importance of LEED, NRMCA, PCA, and the RMC Research Foundation commissioned the
development of a LEED Reference Guide that could be used by architects, developers, clients, builders, manufacturers, suppliers, and others in the construction industry to determine how the use of ready mixed concrete can contribute to sustainable building.
The resulting document presents a detailed discussion of the LEED program, how LEED points are assigned, how material uses and construction methods must be documented, and what issues must be carefully considered in using ready mixed concrete to enhance a building’s sustainability.
Potential LEED points gained through the use of ready mixed concrete are discussed in the following areas: stormwater management; landscape paving; minimizing energy use; optimizing energy performance; managing construction waste; recycled content; use of regional materials; use of certified wood; innovation in design; site-wide VOC reduction; and reduction in the use of portland cement. The document also covers plant waste water disposal; on-site wash water disposal; solid waste; and site protection. In each of these areas, the Reference Guide presents information useful to the designer, the contractor, and the ready mixed concrete supplier in achieving LEED points. This information is supplemented by extensive lists of citations, references, and other resource documents, trade groups, and websites.

Precast concrete floor slabs

Part one of this booklet is intended as a quick and general guide to precast concrete floor slabs. In this book we will cover the features and benefits of precast concrete floor slabs, the general applications, some design guidelines, on-site considerations and some general information. Part two contains the more technical information.

Hollow-Core Slab System

Hollow-core was originally conceived and developed as South Africa’s alternative to insitu cast concrete floor panels for multi-storey buildings some 25 years ago. In today’s world of innovation and fast-tracking, the hollow-core floor slab is a viable and in many instances, preferable alternative to more conventional building methods. Besides the obvious advantages of simpler, faster construction, not to mention a more durable end product, the secret of applying the material successfully is in the pre-planning. Get one of the CMA member companies involved at the concept stage and their advice and design input comes at no charge. Set out in this manual are several examples demonstrating the versatility and multi-purpose functionality of the prestressed and reinforced hollow-core slabs. Applications covered include security walls, reservoir roofing, retaining walls and warehouse walling, multi-storey floor applications to residential, commercial and industrial buildings, as well as suspended ground floor slabs in clay areas. Also discussed are important sub-contracting aspects which apply when slabs are deployed in their more traditional guise as flooring.

Concrete Roof Tiles - Technical Manual

This manual has been compiled by the Concrete Manufacturers Association (CMA) to promote good roofing practice. Good roofing practice necessitates correct design and detailing, the use of good quality materials and proper installation procedures. Provided that these are done correctly, a concrete tile roof will provide years of maintenance free service enhancing the aesthetic appeal of the building. This manual has been compiled in compliance with the National Building Regulations, SANS 10062-2003 (Code of Practice for the fixing of concrete roof tiles) and accepted good building practice.

Concrete Retaining Block Walls

SCI P103: Electric lift installations in steel frame buildings

Lift installations in steel frame buildings are conventionally supported either directly by the steel frame, or by concrete floors which in turn transmit the loading onto the frame. Whilst the frame and lift installation are separate and distinct packages, the detail of each can have a significant effect on the cost, buildability, programming and performance of the other.
This publication is the result of a joint initiative from the UK lift and steel industries. It continues a programme of research initiated by the Steel Construction Review and carried out by The Steel Construction Institute into building interfaces. It incorporates the studies on the interface requirements of standard lift installations, carried out by The National Association of Lift Makers (NALM) through the NALM Forum.
The publication provides an overview of standard electric lift installations of the type normally used in steel frame buildings. It appraises and recommends various methods of attaching guide rails, landing doors and other items of lift equipment to the building. The document also recommends acceptable guide rail spans for lifts of various speeds, deflection limits for guide rails and their supporting structure and design loads for structural elements supporting the lift installation. It provides a basis for standardising key design details, and where necessary will assist building designers to develop structural components and construction details in advance of a lift supplier being appointed.
The publication is written for use by architects, engineers, steelwork contractors, lift engineers, site managers, clients and developers.