Friday, September 30, 2016

Concrete conundrum: Understanding the building material's environmental impact

Concrete conundrum: Understanding the building material's environmental impact


Concrete has always been in indicator of "civilization." Since its invention in the 19th century, humans have used concrete not only to tame nature but, in many cases, to pave right over it. As a result, the hard-wearing material can be found nearly everywhere there are people.
In many instances, the applications entail serious volumes of the material. Builders of the new $5.4 billion Panama Canal expansion, completed just this summer, erected two concrete plants on either side of the project just to meet the estimated 5.7 million cubic yards necessary for a new, wider shipping lane — about 1.3 million more cubic yards than contractors used when constructing the original canal. However, China is the country that has taken a serious liking to concrete. According to the U.S. Geological Survey, China used as much concrete between 2011 and 2013 as America did throughout the entire 20th Century.
Environmentalists, however, have been speaking out against the concrete industry with complaints that concrete, among other things, contributes to the heat island effect and results in increased water runoff during storms, leading to soil erosion and flooding. The biggest beef with concrete, though, is the massive amount of CO2 emissions created during production.
Experts share their opinions of whether the long-term impact of concrete should be a concern, and what's next for the standby building material.

Inside the material — and its impact

Cement — one of concrete's four ingredients along with water, sand and aggregate — is most responsible for the material's environmental impact. Cement makes up approximately 10% of an average concrete mix, but 80% of the environmental impact comes from cement production, according to Jeremy Gregory, executive director of the Concrete Sustainability Hub at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Cement's primary ingredient is limestone, which needs to be heated to an extremely high temperature during the cement production process.
"The rule of thumb is that there is 1 kilogram of CO2 associated with making 1 kilogram of cement," Gregory said. "But the damage doesn't stop at CO2 emissions." Half of the environmental story comes from CO2 emissions, but the other half concerns the energy it takes to get to the necessary high temperatures, he noted.

And there are ways to make those numbers more environmentally friendly. Heather J. Brown, director and professor of the School of Concrete and Construction Management at Middle Tennessee State University, said some producers are attempting to offset cement's high electric and coal-fired consumption with other, bio-based sources. "Globally, plants are using anywhere from 5% to 20% alternative fuels, which is a step in the right direction," she said.
New methods to reduce CO2 emissions
Calera, a company that has figured out how to collect 50% of the CO2 emissions from the cement-production process and use it to produce a new type of cement, is among the innovators in the effort to improve the material's environmental impact. "The conversation should be that for every ton of cement produced, there is a ton of CO2 produced, which can then be processed for 2 tons of Calera cement per day," Brown said.
"Construction and demolition waste in the U.S. is approximately 135 million tons annually"
To reduce both CO2 emissions and energy use, Gregory said more cement manufacturers are using waste products rather than coal to power the process. In addition, some manufacturers are replacing some of the limestone in the cement mix with supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), like the fly ash produced from burning coal and unheated limestone. "Anything you can do to reduce the amount of heated limestone in the production of cement" will reduce CO2 emissions, he said. Process improvements, though, aren't taking place just on the cement side.
"There's a similar effort to try to make (concrete) with less cement," Gregory said. Here, SCMs also pop up in the conversation. The same alternative materials that can supplement limestone in the production of cement can also be used in concrete to reduce the amount of cement required in that mix as well, but these methods are not without their challenges.
Because these mixes sometimes take longer to set and can affect strength and durability, competing interests must be weighed when deciding whether to use them. "How long are you willing to wait until concrete is hard enough to use it in whatever fashion you're interested in using it in?" Gregory said.

Another concern with these new mixes is that, unlike traditional concrete and cement, they haven't been in use long enough to establish their long-term strength and durability. A known issue with using SCMs is that, in combination with certain types of aggregate, there is an alkali-silica reaction (ASR) that can eat away at the concrete, causing it to break down and crumble over time.
Additional considerations for the material
So what about the other issues with concrete, such as the heat island effect or concrete as a solid waste? Critics say the heat capacity and thermal conductivity of materials like concrete and asphalt allow for the absorption of more solar heat, leading to higher temperatures — which is not necessarily a positive in cities where the climate is already warm to begin with.
"Even materials that have a high production burden can have a low environmental impact"
Brown and Gregory also said concrete plays a critical role in protecting people and property during natural disasters. Concrete's durability and strength has the potential to reduce loss of life and limit the need for repairs post-event. Gregory said it takes a little more money to ensure that a building can withstand all types of natural disasters over the course of its life, but there are fewer costs in the long run in the way of rebuilding.

What's next for concrete?

Times are changing, and the industry is making efforts to reduce dependency on traditional cement, Brown said. For example, she said the new World Trade Center used 72% non-cement products during construction, which saved 1.77 million gallons of gasoline for cement production and delivery.
While Gregory acknowledges that there is room for improvement in the concrete and cement production processes, when it comes to sustainability, he said materials like concrete need to be judged on their performance over the entire building lifecycle. "Even materials that have a high production burden can have a low environmental impact if they enable energy efficiency and durability," he said.


Architectural Design with Current Trends

Advanced-architecture

As the others form of art, fashion design is painting, music and architecture is dependent on the current trend. The progress of the latest and greatest in architecture that includes people, you may want to its structure, regardless of the taste of classic reserve, in what it displays, hold the year. Technologies and concepts, and then advanced architecture. There are several architectures have become more popular wherein, the current trend is:

Green

This content belongs to maxalconstruction.com
We live in a world that is environmentally friendly than ever before. In order to protect nature, this desire extends to architecture. It will include products that are more environmentally friendly design, including the selection of materials that do not have integrated much carbon dioxide emissions, these elements are:

1.       Efficient use of land and energy
2.       Of storm water filtration
3.       Product of waste reduction
4.       The use of scenery
5.       Minimal disturbance of habitat
Design sound, connection air quality indoor environment healthy they are comfortable and with the outside world, to improve the structure occupied sounding better, for the day, the architect, to provide more resources you can.

Honesty

It was a reaction to the recession, maybe homeowners are looking to include their homes and simplify their lives. The glitz and glamor, while it used to be. It have a focus on the natural surface decoration and function exactly like the popular architectural architecture honest, clean lines and the shape of the interior design, with little or Architecture “good faith” is to expand the size of a house. Inflate in a big house, homeowners are very popular medium among many buyers of the user, and have chosen something a little less than.

Think

Modern architecture, the final result we present is not just good looks like it, it comes, a new way of thinking. While achieving building architect can be carried out by applying scientific methodology and analysis. In this manner, they are reflected century house will be able to design complex technical problems 20. In all aspects of development, it is to present something that is not just about beautiful, of course.
Keeping in mind anything you want from your new home, that you should include an element of modern design it, it must also be timeless. Structure we want to be permanent, you will decide not only the trend of the “latest and greatest”. Because this is the house where you was able to improve your family, make sure that it is something that you can enjoy, and that is what you can do as an architect all lived in there you want to work.

Wednesday, September 28, 2016

AIA: Residential trends point to practicality as demand for design services slows

Dive Brief:

Residential trends point to practicality as demand for design services slows
The American Institute of Architects released the results of its second-quarter Home Design Trends Survey highlighting the most popular home features and systems.
Homeowners moved away from home theaters and exercise rooms in order to embrace more practical "special function" rooms like outdoor living rooms (58%), mud rooms (43%), home offices (37%) and in-law suites (31%).
Despite slowing demand for design services, billings remained in positive territory during the second quarter with a mark of 54 on the AIA Home Design Survey Index, as did new project inquiries (56). The Midwest led the four U.S. regions surveyed by the Index with a score of 62.5 while the South was the only one to dip below 50. Scores below 50 indicate a contraction.

Dive Insight:

Demand for accessibility continues, particularly as members of the baby boomer generation adapt their homes to allow for continued use. Among the features called out in the survey were first-floor master bedrooms, ramps or elevators and grade-level entries, mostly through renovations. As an increasing number of new homes are built with aging-in-place in mind, the demand for those renovations will level off, according to the AIA. Energy-management and low-maintenance features, in addition to smart thermostats, also ranked high on the Index.
Although not included in this residential report, the AIA has also turned its attention to the health and well-being of building occupants in both residential and commercial projects by promoting the WELL Building Standard, developed by the International WELL Building Institute to complement green building standards focusing on structural sustainability with metrics to measure occupant health and well being.
In September 2014, the AIA launched its Design and Health Research Consortium and, in April of this year, announced its partnership with the IWBI. The AIA said it would work with the IWBI to train AIA members on the most recent health and design research and practices and give members a path to WELL accreditation. Earlier this month, Dodge Data & Analytics reported that almost 75% of U.S. architects are paying more attention to building health during the design phase. Thermal comfort, acoustics, social spaces and lighting are the features garnering the most attention.

On the heels of its mostly positive residential design trends survey, the AIA reported earlier this month that August billings at U.S. architecture firms dropped to a score of 49.7, slightly below the 50 benchmark, indicating a contraction in activity. This is only the second time this year that the ABI has dropped below 50. As part of the release, however, the AIA said that the number of inquiries and contracts were on the upswing, which should result in growth in design services, billings and construction spending in the future.

5 Reasons to adopt cloud-based construction document sharing

As tablets continue to replace jobsite laptops and as smart devices shrink to fit even the smallest shirt pockets, project teams have reached unprecedented levels of mobility and interconnectivity. For nearly a decade, mobile phones have been providing far more than just voice dial connections, offering functionality that rivals most desktop computers; file sharing, email exchange and internet access, to name a few.

5 Reasons to adopt cloud-based construction document sharing
Despite astonishing advancements in mobile technology, however, the built environment remains committed to traditional practices to meet project objectives.

No workflow seems to exemplify this more than project communication, where hand-written journals, printed drawings and binder-laden shelves typify most construction sites. Justifiably, physical documentation will always play a prominent role in construction, still, wholly forgoing virtual solutions can be riskier and more expensive than the long-standing methodologies may suggest.

With this in mind, I want to offer 5 reasons constructionprofessionals should adopt a cloud-based document sharing platform for project communication.

Why Cloud-based Construction Document Management?

#1 – Cost


Since cost is often the largest and most difficult barrier for technology adoption (and the first excuse used by contractors to avoid the topic altogether), many product vendors offer document-sharing solutions for free. And depending on how many documents users need to share amongst their project team, some of these products may never cost a penny.

#2 – Accessibility


Generally, new technology replaces its obsolete predecessors. Mobile technology is no exception. Just as cellular flip-phones replaced landlines, smartphones have replaced cellular flip-phones. Use this proliferation of handheld technology to your advantage. Since many on-site personnel already have access to smartphones, adding a document sharing application is a minimal request that garners big results. Pertinent project details such as design drawings, submittals and safety logs can now be carried in the pockets of every fieldworker, and accessed at any time.

#3 – Real-Time Collaboration


Requiring only a few seconds, site supervisors can publish the latest project information to every smartphone, tablet and computer across the project site. The process is simple; upload project documents to the file-sharing application and grant access to those who need the information. Photos, design drawings, submittals (and countless more file types and sizes) can be transmitted and updated instantaneously.

No more…

Email notifications with attachments
Hard-copy printouts for distribution
Guessing whether project personnel have the latest information
Regardless of location and internet connection, site supervisors can be confident that relevant mission-critical information is in the hands of responsible site personnel.

#4 – Storage Size


Oftentimes, the biggest limitation to sharing project documents is file size; attachments are too large to email, there are too many pages to print, or jobsite cameras are “low on memory”. Conversely, with a document-sharing solution, capacity becomes nearly limitless. For example, some platforms have enough memory to house and share roughly 85 million pages of documents while never occupying space on your mobile device. That’s about 8,000 filing cabinets of project information on each handheld tablet.

#5 – Profitability



One of the biggest advantages of using a document-sharing solution is reducing time, money and risk. Everybody on the project team has the latest jobsite information, nobody is building off out-of-date drawings, and the risks resulting from poor communication or errant document distribution is drastically reduced, if not eliminated altogether.

Tuesday, September 27, 2016

Technical Education The Urgent Need Of The Hour



The purpose of education in engineering is to provide the learning required by students to become successful engineers – with technical expertise, social awareness, and a bias toward innovation.

This combined set of knowledge, skills, and attitudes is essential for strengthening productivity, entrepreneurship, and excellence in an environment that is increasingly based on technologically complex and sustainable products, processes, and systems. Simply put, it is imperative that we improve the quality and nature of undergraduate engineering education.
The answer could be buttressed through a combination of efforts by the student and the educational institution, with a more holistic approach in preparing the student to meet and match the employable skill sets demanded by the industry. There must be a clear comprehension of the purpose of higher education and employability. The institution should take an active role in nurturing the transformation that the student undergoes from school to undergraduate studies with a positive bias towards soft skills and the requirements of industry.


Taking cues from new age university skill-building methodologies, every student should make a 52 week plan each year – 10 -12 hours during each day and meticulously work on the schedules thus planned. It is mandatory that the student should self-introspect the plan vs achievement on a day-to-day basis and seek help from mentor and other good samaritans who could nurture and positively shape the student career.
Let us review a typical situation by getting into the shoes of a student:
Barring a few hours of classroom training the student is most often free and left to manage aimlessly the free hours.

Understanding the real purpose of going to college, it would be a good idea for the student to peep into the industry window – understand the industry demand and constantly prepare oneself to score ahead of peers, with superior skill building in technical knowledge, communication, presentation, and train to think creatively and innovate.

To conclude, learning is an everyday process, change remaining the only constant.
The ability to think in one’s shoes and endeavour in offering innovative solutions would be the key to scale the ladder.

Monday, September 26, 2016

Global smart building market to reach $25B by 2021

Global smart building market to reach $25B by 2021 year



•             A Markets and Markets report predicted the global smart building market will grow from $5.73 billion in 2016 to $24.73 billion by 2021, increasing at a compound annual growth rate of 34% over the period.
•             Major demand drivers cited in the report include a growing interest in energy-efficient buildings and CO2 emission reduction, increased adoption of Internet of Things (IoT) platforms, government initiatives that encourage construction of smart buildings, and growing demand for integrated security systems.




•             Smart city initiatives will give Europe the largest smart buildings market share, while the system integration and deployment services segment is expected to grow at the highest CAGR during the forecast period to satisfy an accelerated rate of adoption, according to Markets and Markets.

Saturday, September 24, 2016

Famous Architecture World Wide

20 Examples of Famous Architecture of the word

Beijing National Stadium
13. Beijing National StadiumAlso known as Bird’s Nest, this phenomenal stadium was built for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games. The idea for this amazing structure was the result of cooperation of Chinese and international architects and artists. As soon as man realized he is in the need of a shelter, architecture started developing. Over a long course of human history the art of building has conjured up many grand, beautiful and astounding structures, monuments to the perfect marriage of science and art. Each historic period is marked by one or more world famous architectural achievements, special because of their scale, engineering, materials or ornaments. Whether these architectural landmarks are dedicated to religious or secular purpose does not impact their value, while they stand proud as epitomes of human intellect and spirit.
Our list of 20 monuments of the world is assembled in the attempt to bring you closer the historical and the modern traits of what makes the famous architecture.

1. Eiffel Tower 


Eiffel TowerParis, France - Constructed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous structures in the world. It’s named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel and it was build as the entrance arch for the World Expo of 1889. The tower is 324 meters high, approximately as an 81 storey building. Today, the tower attracts millions of visitors every year. Pin It1. Eiffel Tower – Paris, FranceConstructed in 1889, the Eiffel Tower is one of the most famous structures in the world. It’s named after the engineer Gustave Eiffel and it was build as the entrance arch for the World Expo of 1889. The tower is 324 meters high, approximately as an 81 storey building. Today, the tower attracts millions of visitors every year.

2. The Burj al Arab 


Dubai - Built on an artificial island 280 meters away from the coast, the Burj al Arab in Dubai is one of the most luxurious and the fourth tallest hotel in the world. It’s 321 meters high and it represents one of the wonders of contemporary engineering. The building is designed by Tom Wright of WKK architects and its shape emulates shape of the sail of a ship. Pin It2. The Burj al Arab – DubaiBuilt on an artificial island 280 meters away from the coast, the Burj al Arab in Dubai is one of the most luxurious and the fourth tallest hotel in the world. It’s 321 meters high and it represents one of the wonders of contemporary engineering. The building is designed by Tom Wright of WKK architects and its shape emulates shape of the sail of a ship.

3. Parthenon

Athens, Greece - The most famous and the best preserved temple of ancient Greece had a lot of influence on the architecture, art and aesthetics of the western world. It was built in the 5th century BC, dedicated to the goddess Athena Parthenos, the patron of Athens. Its sculptures, ornaments and friezes are today considered the finest examples of Classical Greek art. Its supervising architect, Phidias is still known by name as one of the best sculptors and builders of the ancient times. Pin It

 Barcelona, Spain

One of the most elaborate churches in history, with a construction that has taken the most of the 20th century. Designed by one of the greatest minds of modern architecture, Antonio Gaudi, the cathedral represents the fantastic fusion of gothic influences and singular art nouveau ideas. It’s construction started in 1882, lasting through decades until the Spanish Civil War and the World War II, when it stopped. Resuming the building in the 1950s, the process is not over yet. Although the church has been consecrated in 2010, the final completion is planned for 2026, the year of 100 years anniversary of Gaudi’s death. Although unfinished, this building is huge and breathtaking with myriads of ornaments adorning its constructive elements, making it one of the most recognizable symbols of the city.

5. Angkor Wat – Cambodia  

At first Hindu, then Buddhist, Angkor Wat was the most mysterious temple and the largest religious complex in the world. It was built in the 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman, intended to be the state temple and then his mausoleum. After Hinduist traditions were abandoned, Angkor Wat was dedicated to the Buddhist deity Vishnu. The complex is the symbol of Cambodia and it found its place on the Cambodian national flag. Vast and impressive, this brilliant example of Khmer architecture is captivating in its beauty and strong in its traditional structure.Pin It5. Angkor Wat – CambodiaAt first Hindu, then Buddhist, Angkor Wat was the most mysterious temple and the largest religious complex in the world. It was built in the 12th century by the Khmer King Suryavarman, intended to be the state temple and then his mausoleum. After Hinduist traditions were abandoned, Angkor Wat was dedicated to the Buddhist deity Vishnu. The complex is the symbol of Cambodia and it found its place on the Cambodian national flag. Vast and impressive, this brilliant example of Khmer architecture is captivating in its beauty and strong in its traditional structure.

6. Saint Peter’s Basilica – Vatican, Rome, Italy



Probably the most famous Catholic church in the world, Saint Peter’s in Rome was designed by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gianlorenzo Bernini, respectively, with smaller additions by other prominent architects. It’s an elaborate basilica, and the most revered building of Renaissance architecture. Pin It6. Saint Peter’s Basilica – Vatican, Rome, ItalyProbably the most famous Catholic church in the world, Saint Peter’s in Rome was designed by Donato Bramante, Michelangelo, Carlo Maderno and Gianlorenzo Bernini, respectively, with smaller additions by other prominent architects. It’s an elaborate basilica, and the most revered building of Renaissance architecture.


7. Sydney Opera House - 


One of the most famous opera houses in the world, because of its building. It was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who was celebrated for the groundbreaking modern design. Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973, staging large theatrical productions. Pin It7. Sydney Opera HouseOne of the most famous opera houses in the world, because of its building. It was designed by Danish architect Jorn Utzon, who was celebrated for the groundbreaking modern design. Sydney Opera House was opened in 1973, staging large theatrical productions.

8. Colosseum -



This ancient Roman amphitheatre is considered one of the greatest achievements of Roman architecture. It was constructed in 70-80 AD, and it’s one of the first buildings in history where concrete was used for construction.Pin It8. ColosseumThis ancient Roman amphitheatre is considered one of the greatest achievements of Roman architecture. It was constructed in 70-80 AD, and it’s one of the first buildings in history where concrete was used for construction.

9. Tower Bridge London - 


The symbol of London and a pearl of the 19th century architecture, Tower Bridge was built as a combination of bascule bridge and suspension bridge in 1886 – 1894. Pin It9. Tower Bridge LondonThe symbol of London and a pearl of the 19th century architecture, Tower Bridge was built as a combination of bascule bridge and suspension bridge in 1886 – 1894.


10. Hagia Sophia Istanbul - A monumental church


, then mosque and today a museum. It’s a singular testimony to the grandeur and the genius of Byzantine architecture. It was built in 6th century AD, during the reign of Emperor Justinian. Pin It10. Hagia Sophia IstanbulA monumental church, then mosque and today a museum. It’s a singular testimony to the grandeur and the genius of Byzantine architecture. It was built in 6th century AD, during the reign of Emperor Justinian.

11. Kremlin - Moscow Kremlin




is a large fortified complex set in the bosom of Moscow. It was built in 15th century and the fortress spans over almost 28 hectares of land, with its impressive red walls, towers and buildings. It’s the seat of Russian government. Pin It11. KremlinMoscow Kremlin is a large fortified complex set in the bosom of Moscow. It was built in 15th century and the fortress spans over almost 28 hectares of land, with its impressive red walls, towers and buildings. It’s the seat of Russian government.

12. Empire State Building 


Rarely a person travels to New York without planning to visit the Empire State Building. It is the symbol of the city and the pioneering skyscraper, with its 103 stories. This 381 meters high structure was designed by William F. Lamb and completed in 1931, becoming one of the first skyline creators of the Big Apple. Pin It12. Empire State BuildingRarely a person travels to New York without planning to visit the Empire State Building. It is the symbol of the city and the pioneering skyscraper, with its 103 stories. This 381 meters high structure was designed by William F. Lamb and completed in 1931, becoming one of the first skyline creators of the Big Apple.

14. Petronas Towers Kuala Lumpur - 



These twin towers were the tallest buildings in the world in the period from 1998 to 2004, and still are the tallest twin buildings in the world. Their complex and supermodern design initiated the construction of the post-modern Kuala Lumpur. Pin It14. Petronas Towers Kuala LumpurThese twin towers were the tallest buildings in the world in the period from 1998 to 2004, and still are the tallest twin buildings in the world. Their complex and supermodern design initiated the construction of the post-modern Kuala Lumpur.


15. Leaning Tower Pisa - 


The campanile of the cathedral of Pisa, Tuscany is world famous for its leaning position. Started in the 12th, the tower was completed in the second half of the 14th century, and it is the iconic building of the late Italian Romanesque style. Pin It15. Leaning Tower PisaThe campanile of the cathedral of Pisa, Tuscany is world famous for its leaning position. Started in the 12th, the tower was completed in the second half of the 14th century, and it is the iconic building of the late Italian Romanesque style.

16. Taj Mahal - Mughal emperor 


Shah Jahan built the most fantastic and the most beautiful monument to love, for his early deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. The entire building is covered in white marble, depicting architecturally the ideal vision of heaven. Constructed in the 17th century, it is located in Agra, in the Indian region Uttar Pradesh. Pin It16. Taj MahalMughal emperor Shah Jahan built the most fantastic and the most beautiful monument to love, for his early deceased wife Mumtaz Mahal. The entire building is covered in white marble, depicting architecturally the ideal vision of heaven. Constructed in the 17th century, it is located in Agra, in the Indian region Uttar Pradesh.

17. Guggenheim Museum Bilbao - 


There was no better choice for the contemporary art museum architect, but the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao designer – the amazing Frank Gehry. The building is the fantastic creation, covered in shiny sheets of metal, transferring the visitor into another dimension. The museum was inaugurated in 1997. Pin It17. Guggenheim Museum BilbaoThere was no better choice for the contemporary art museum architect, but the Guggenheim Museum Bilbao designer – the amazing Frank Gehry. The building is the fantastic creation, covered in shiny sheets of metal, transferring the visitor into another dimension. The museum was inaugurated in 1997.

18. Flatiron Building 


A groundbreaking triangular solution of early modern architecture. The Flatiron Building was designed by Daniel Burnham and completed in 1902. This New York landmark was the tallest building in the world at the time it was completed. Pin It18. Flatiron BuildingA groundbreaking triangular solution of early modern architecture. The Flatiron Building was designed by Daniel Burnham and completed in 1902. This New York landmark was the tallest building in the world at the time it was completed.

19. Villa Savoye


One of the most renowned modernist villas, built by the modern architecture pioneer Le Corbusier in Poissy, near Paris. The villa was constructed after the emblematic “Five Points” the famous architect relied on, while conjuring up the modern style. Pin It19. Villa SavoyeOne of the most renowned modernist villas, built by the modern architecture pioneer Le Corbusier in Poissy, near Paris. The villa was constructed after the emblematic “Five Points” the famous architect relied on, while conjuring up the modern style.


20. Kauffman Residence or Fallingwater 



One of the most renowned modernist villas, built by the modern architecture pioneer Le Corbusier in Poissy, near Paris. The villa was constructed after the emblematic “Five Points” the famous architect relied on, while conjuring up the modern style. Pin It20. Kauffman Residence or FallingwaterOne of the most admired buildings designed by Frank Lloyd Wright, built in 1935 near Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania. The modern house is set above a natural waterfall, fusing the artificial and the natural in perfect harmony. Fallingwater was proclaimed “best all time work of American architecture” by the American Institute of Architects in 1991.

What we see through an ‘H.R.lens’ for a budding Civil Engineer? - Invite forum for discussions

Skills Building industry


A status audit:
The increasing gap between academics and industry requirements has been a challenge much recognized by the protagonist, yet seldom solved. While there is a certain transformation in the aspirant from campus to employment, many skill sets required in today’s work environment is missing.
Some of the key skills that industry looks for in an aspirant are:
1.       Technical Knowledge
2.       Project Management Skills
3.       Visualization
4.       Creative thinking
5.       Communication Skills
6.       Leadership skills
7.       Ability to work in a team
The life of a student at college is filled with tight schedules of completing the curricula and examinations. There is a lack of much needed industry exposure and hands on experience to garner modern day technology skills. In order to hone skills in project management, the institution has to provide avenues for the student through industry interface.

Visualization and creative thinking can develop only if autonomy is given to the student during the learning phase at the college. New age universities are trying to create the right environment for the student to acquire skills beyond academics. By creating an ambiance for innovation, the individual becomes a well rounded person and enjoys a higher rate of success at the workplace.

A large number of engineering constructions aspirants come from a rural back ground with little or no exposure to English, creating road blocks in basic communications. They lack in presentation techniques and other modern day tools to emote with the industry on an intellectual platform. These characteristics make the aspirant an introvert reducing his chances of employ ability considerably. It is common knowledge that industry has to re-skill the individual to bring him to speed on industry related skills.
The very same issues plague the aspirant when it comes to leadership qualities and his ability to work effectively as a member of a project team. Education institutions would do well to take note of these modern day workplace issues and correct the situation sooner than later.

In fact, it would be healthy to create forums between the education giants and industry fraternity to collaborate and find suitable prescriptions to deal with the challenge daunting us all - can we come together to conquer and provide a Win-Win solution for all?





Friday, September 23, 2016

Digital Revolution in Construction Management

Digital Revolution in Construction Management

Digital Revolution in Construction Management
When the Internet was introduced during the last mile of the 19th Century, no one really knew that complete industries, cultures, governments and businesses would be transformed by this ground breaking platform for sharing information, learning and transacting. Nevertheless, what started out as a novelty of sorts has since grown into a 5 billion-strong Web that’s accessible via the desktop computer to a couple of ounce mobile phone and everything in between.
The digital revolution continues to evolve, with cloud, social and mobile applications gaining ground as infrastructure components, such as wireless broadband, improve and help expand Internet access around the globe. To say that everything and everyone is now “connected” would almost be an understatement, based on the sheer prowess and strength of the global, interconnected web.
Thanks to ubiquitous digital connectivity, cloud computing and “big data,” the E&C industry is undergoing a historic transformation of engineering, architecture, fabrication, construction and other related disciplines, undoing a century old expansive industry fragmentation.
The yester generation, had to rely on a physical visit irrespective of geographies to take stock of site happenings, upward delegate for directions to rectify snags etc that would involve project over runs, push costs up, insane travel among others.
The digital divide today with its latest applications connects the site to the think tank instantly for reviews and directions at the touch of the button. Further, multiple sites can be handled concurrently at ease helping to reduce communication costs significantly and deliver projects as per committed deadlines.
Prudent organisations with a futuristic vision should develop the Learning and development needs through  proper documentation and illustrations that can develop a huge repository of knowledge bank that could archived at will for training the captive manpower and leap frog in knowledge sharing hitherto not done in academics.

Wednesday, September 21, 2016

3-D printed house debuts in China

Dive Brief:

  • A 3-D-printed, single-family house in China's Shandong Province joins the growing number of freestanding structures created using additive manufacturing technology, according to 3DPrint.com, evidencing its potential for residential and commercial construction.
  • The concrete structure, which took two months to build using 3-D printers measuring 20 meters (66 feet) wide and 6 meters (20 feet) tall, is the first phase of an "ongoing park project," according to its developers.
  • The project team estimates construction costs at roughly 5,000 yuan ($750) per square meter, and it expects that figure to drop as the technology improves.

Dive Insight:

3-D printed house debuts in China

3-D printing for construction is gaining in popularity in China, in particular, where builders have also constructed a six-story apartment building using the technology. While advances in 3-D printing stateside offer architects and developers an interesting, vertically integrated design and production tool, the technology has yet to achieve wide-spread adoption in construction projects, instead focusing mostly on parts and components.
Cost is a primary reason for the small-scale focus, and questions of job site supply logistics and general assembly labor will likely need to be addressed for 3-D printing to be seriously considered in any kind of production builder or commercial construction capacity. How close do 3-D printers need to be to the job site in order to be useful? Who will operate them, and how might they impact project management decisions? Those questions are only beginning to be explored.
Modular construction is one opportunity for 3-D printing to scale up. Last year, architectural firm Skidmore, Owings & Merrill partnered with the U.S. Department of Energy's Oak Ridge National Laboratory, housing manufacturer Clayton Homes, and the College of Architecture and Design at the University of Tennessee to create a panelized enclosure and companion vehicle, both 3-D printed, that share and store renewable energy to stay off-grid during periods of peak demand.
Proof of concept isn't necessarily a proof of economics, however, and it may be that 3-D printing will offer more value to the construction industry — and thus experience greater investment — by providing machining and parts manufacturing to support crews and equipment during traditional building processes.

Tuesday, September 20, 2016

9 innovations for construction essential Concrete solutions

These are the  9 Innovations for Construction essential Concrete solutions,which are helpful to build a building to better way(This article  Referral from http://www.bdcnetwork.com/)

1. Underlayment System Designed To Save Time, Money on Slab Work

Swedish Hospital and Medical Office Building, Issaquah, Wash., is a 600,000-sf campus developed by Hammes Company, with architect Collins Woerman and contractor Sellen Construction leading the Building Team. The project was completed ahead of schedule and nearly $35 million under budget through a combination of methods, including heavy use of Lean principles, BIM, and integrated delivery. One result of the teamwork was the choice of the SUPERCAP system to cap the concrete base slab, instead of using a traditional trowel-applied finish. The system combines a Greenguard-certified, low-alkali, self-leveling cement-base technology with a computer-controlled pump truck. At Swedish Hospital, the system eliminated concerns about flatness inherent to concrete slab work with structural steel buildings. Sellen placed about 20,000 sf/day of concrete, compared with 15,000 sf/day using conventional troweling. LATICRETE


2. Texas Students Move In Faster With Rapid-Drying Concrete

The original schedule for Billy Earl Dade Middle School, a replacement school for the Dallas Independent School District, called for a 14-month construction period. When officials asked that the schedule be cut to 10 months so students could move in for the fall 2013 term, the Building Team knew concrete drying posed a potential problem. Aridus Rapid Drying Concrete, a ready-mix formulated to help prevent moisture-related flooring failures, was selected for its combination of fast drying time, high early strength, compressive strength, and low permeability. The project required 20,000 cubic yards of concrete, including 5,000 cubic yards of Aridus used to cover 120,000 sf of floors. Crews were able to install final flooring 21 days after the concrete was poured, compared with a typical drying time of at least four months. On the Building Team: Satterfield & Pontikes Construction (GC), Redi-Mix Concrete (concrete supplier), and KAI Texas (architect). U.S. Concrete

3. Thermal Insulation System Tailored To Poured Concrete Wall Construction

ThermaEZE thermal insulation works with poured concrete walls—including foundation walls—for better insulation than conventional poured concrete, according to the manufacturer. The system consists of panels of expanded polystyrene foam, placed within the wall forms before the pour and held in place by a patented web structure that becomes embedded in the concrete. The resulting walls thus consist of a concrete layer and an attached insulation panel, with fastening strips on the exposed face to facilitate application of drywall or other finish materials. Depending on the thickness of the concrete, R-values range from 9.6 to 11.7. Panels are termite-resistant, odor-free, and contain no CFCs, HCFCs, HFCs, or formaldehyde. The UL-approved system is IECC code-compliant for foundation walls, and meets ASTM C578 Type 1 and ICC-ES EG239 requirements for below-grade use. North American Specialty Products

4. Optimization Service Adds Green Spin to One World Trade Center Construction

In addition to sending a symbolic message of strength and freedom, One World Trade Center in New York City was designed to be an example of sustainability. The Port Authority of New York/New Jersey imposed strict requirements, including replacing a high percentage of portland cement with recycled materials. BASF Construction Chemicals’ Green Sense optimization service helped the Building Team, including concrete contractor Collavino Construction and concrete producer Eastern Concrete Materials, create mixes with appropriate compressive strength for the 1,776-foot skyscraper. The mix replaced 71% of the portland cement that would have been required in a conventional mix with recycled materials, non-cementitious fillers, and specialized admixtures to exceed performance targets specified by the stakeholders. The first 40 floors required 38,000 cubic yards of a special mix, providing compressive strength of at least 12,000 psi. BASF estimates that 25.4 million in kWh savings will be produced over the project’s life cycle in connection with the mix, as well as reductions in fossil fuel and greenhouse gas production, rain acidification potential, water, and solid waste. BASF Corporation

5. Bio-Based Composite Combines Hemp And Lime For High Performance

Tradical Hemcrete, developed in the U.K. by Lime Technology, incorporates hemp shiv (the woody core of industrial hemp) and a lime-based binder, Tradical HB. The resulting composite exhibits good thermal insulation and excellent thermal inertia, according to the manufacturer, creating environments that need minimal heating or cooling. The material has negative embodied carbon because CO2 that is captured by hemp as it grows is ultimately sequestered within the Hemcrete. Several design and construction methods are appropriate, including direct application to timber-framed structures and use with a rainscreen system. Because proper on-site drying can be tricky, the company recently developed systems that incorporate the material in factory-made panels, including Hembuild (for low-rise buildings) and Hemclad (for large-scale buildings with a primary structural frame). American Lime Technology

6. Drying Time for Concrete Reduced By Polyaspartic Coatings

Rapid-curing polyaspartic coatings using raw materials from Bayer Material Science are designed for faster productivity without sacrificing high performance or durability. Usable for both metal and concrete surfaces, the coatings resist damage from ultraviolet light, chemical spills, and abrasion. They have ultra-low VOC emissions and high color stability and clean ability, according to the manufacturer. Formulations offer a fast curing time, with a typical start-to-finish cycle that fits within an eight-hour work day. Coatings made with polyaspartic esters can be applied at temperatures below 50°F and in high-humidity environments, extending the application season. The coatings can be applied over stains for attractive effects. Appropriate commercial projects include hotels, restaurants, retail space, healthcare, and other facilities with concrete floors. Bayer Material Science

7. Concrete Roof Tiles Eat Smog, Courtesy Of Bonded Titanium Dioxide

BoralPure Smog-Eating Tile, recipient of Popular Mechanics’ Breakthrough Award, removes nitrogen oxides from the atmosphere to improve environmental quality. The tiles include the photocatalyst titanium dioxide, which oxidizes with vehicle-emitted NOx and removes it from the atmosphere. The benign precipitate resulting from the chemical reaction washes away in the rain. The technology also uses naturally occurring UV light to help break down organic substances that can occur on roofs, such as mold and algae. Additional benefits cited by the manufacturer include high thermal mass, emissivity, and reflectivity, and an insulating air space between the tile and the roof deck. At the end of their service life, the tiles can be recycled for new structures or roadways. Boral Roofing

8. Primer-Patch Combo Solves Water Problem At Auburn Stadium

Auburn University’s Jordan-Hare stadium, home of the football Tigers, needed repairs recently when settling of precast concrete risers caused cyclical flooding. Water pooled on the floors of the risers every time it rained, increasing the risk of concrete damage and forcing fans to cope with the puddles. Contractor Southeast Restoration & Fireproofing applied ProSpec Level Set Epoxy Primer with sand broadcast to address the water problem in hard-to-bond areas where the existing coating could not be removed. This created a strong bonding surface for a mix of ProSpec Vinyl Concrete Patch and B-730 Mortar/Acrylic Additive. The product was feather-edge sloped over the concrete flooring to fill in areas where pooling had typically occurred. The fix will help improve the longevity of the stadium and keep patrons’ feet drier during games. ProSpec / Bonsal American

9. Treatments Improve Density While Making Surfaces More Attractive


Two products in PROSOCO’s Consolideck line are designed to improve the density and surface appearance of concrete. Consolideck LS features a lower viscosity and more highly reactive silicates than conventional sodium or potassium silicate hardeners. These characteristics help the formula penetrate more deeply into the surface. Higher reactivity aids hardening without the aggressive scrubbing and rinsing needed with conventional hardeners, according to the manufacturer. Consolideck LSGuard is a high-gloss sealer, hardener, and densifier that further increases sheen, hardness, and stain resistance of floors treated with Consolideck LS. It produces a high-gloss finish that maximizes light reflectance, eliminating the need for floor waxes, liquid polishers, and conventional resin coatings. PROSOCO (Image: Chris Robertson Photography)

Saturday, September 17, 2016

12 Facts about Interior Designers Everyone Thinks Are True

 1. Interior Designers Do the Same Thing as Interior Architects

A lot of people are confused by the many different job titles there are in the design industry. However, a very common mistake is to think that interior designers and interior architects do the same job. The reality is that these professions can involve many different things which are more often than not, very far apart. Generally speaking, interior design has more to do with the art of the building, while interior architecture is more concerned with the science behind it.Now a day's lot of people have dream to build their house or home as latest model just like villa,So there is lot facts to design  home interiors,these are the 12 factors of interior designs should follow now.
 below 12 facts we refferal from idesigni.co.uk

12 Facts about Interior Designers Everyone Thinks Are True 2. Interior Design Is All About Décor

Interior design involves much more than just a good knowledge of décor. As we’ve mentioned in our previous article on the topic, the practice of interior architecture requires designers to consider pretty much everything to do with the building of an interior space that will affect human habitation, including materials, finishes, electrical requirements, plumbing, lighting, ventilation, ergonomics, and intelligent use of space. Interior designers with training in interior architecture will usually be present at, and have an important say during all stages of the construction process, from the initial plans right through to the finishing touches.interior decoration

3. Hiring an Interior Designer Is Very Costly

Depending on the scale of the project, the budget and the time frame you have in mind for finishing it, the price of hiring a professional interior designer can vary dramatically. In most cases, interior designers charge very reasonable fees and the value you get for your money will be worth paying for. If you’re not sure how much your interior design project would cost, you can simply enquire and decide if you are ready to pay for it.

4. Interior Designers Only Work With Very Expensive Materials

As every other professional, interior designers can work with both expensive and cheap materials and products. More importantly, they will work within the limits of the budget and requirements you give them as their client. You have to remember that the price of materials is not always crucial to getting the end result you desire. If you’re working with an experienced interior designer, they should be able to recommend you the best quality products at the most reasonable price there is.expensive fabrics

5. You Don’t Need To Have an Education to Become an Interior Designer

There are many people out there that claim that they are interior designers, without having any formal education. However, as explained in some of the other points above, interior design is a very challenging and exciting profession that includes a variety of tasks and requires a great deal of skills and knowledge. The only way you can ensure that you have all these on board when applying for a job, even at an intern level, will be to obtain a formal qualification from a recognized organization. A career in interior architecture and design can be difficult to get started and an accredited course in the subject will give you a head start by providing you the knowledge, skills, and qualifications you need to succeed.

6. Interior Designers Make All The Decisions For You

Don’t expect that all decisions on an interior design project would be made by the designer you have hired. He or she will have a lot of recommendations on the way ideas can be implemented, but the final decisions will lie with you.

7. Interior Designers Can’t Work With Existing Structures, Materials And Objects – They Always Want To Throw Everything Old Away

The truth is that interior designers always work towards achieving the goals in an interior design plan. If this plan involves the stripping of a building to its bare bones they would definitely need to throw everything old away. This is not always necessary and you can keep as much of your old stuff in your new house or space as you want.

8. “I Don’t Need an Interior Designer – I Can Do It on My Own”

As we outlined earlier in the article, interior design is a very complex job. You can try and do some of its components on your own, but unless you have the training and understanding of interior design concepts, we think you shouldn’t start any project, small or big without a professional eye. There are so many examples of terrible design decisions that show that it is not worth risking your dream project, if you can leave it to the professionals. At the end of the day, you wouldn’t operate on somebody if you’re a doctor, right?
Amateur design plan
Photo by Alan Levine licensed under CC BY-SA 2.0

9. Interior Designers Always Want To Be Trendy

Interior designers always strive to be aware of the new trends in their profession. However, they wouldn’t force you to do something on your project if you don’t like it or you think it doesn’t suit your needs. Trends are interesting to follow, but they are not something every interior designer tries to implement in their work.

10. Interior Designers Don’t Need A Plan For Their Projects

Interior designers can’t work without a plan for their project. They need to think about every single detail and plan in appropriate time for it. A good plan means that as a customer you will get an idea on the cost involved as well as the deadline for completion of each stage. Planning is a crucial part of the job of the interior designer.

11. Interior Design Doesn’t Require a Lot of Time.

Interior design projects can take a lot of time and this usually happens because the whole process requires the attention, skills and knowledge of the many other specialists who work with the interior designer. The designer needs to be able to speak everyone else’s language – from the plumber to the conservation officer, to be able to make the project plan work. This doesn’t mean that all interior design projects take years to complete – a complex, but very well organised job on a residential property, for example, can take around five months from start to finish.

12. Interior Designers Don’t Need To Work towards a Budget


A good plan always comes with a clear idea of the budget the client has for it. There’s no such thing as “open budget” – interior designers should know what is affordable and what is not, because this can help them make some very important decisions. Give your interior designer a budget to work with and leave the magic touch to them!

Thursday, September 15, 2016

Construction industry slow to adopt new technology 2016

Dive Brief:

  • The construction industry isn't taking full advantage of new technologies for workflow management and building performance monitoring, including advanced data and analytics, automation, robotics and mobility, according to consulting firm KPMG's annual report, "Building a technology advantage — Global Construction Survey 2016."
  • Two-thirds of the 200-plus construction and engineering executives and major-project owners surveyed said they don't use advanced data analytics to monitor project-related estimation and performance.
  • Meanwhile, while project-related risk is increasing, fewer than 20% of respondents said they are rethinking their business models to incorporate new technology in response.
    Construction industry slow to adopt new technology 2016

Dive Insight:

Although the construction industry is well-positioned for technological disruption, a mindset shift among practitioners remains the biggest challenge. In its survey, KPMG found that most construction firms are waiting for competitors to take the first step toward the adoption of technologies to streamline their workflows and improve their data collection — including integrated project management information systems, earned value management, remote monitoring, smart sensors, and robotics and automation.
Yet even the simplest commercial building project today requires a multitude of non-integrated software programs connecting stakeholders. And as projects become larger and more complex — consider the forthcoming $500 million Gramercy District "smart city" in Virginia and the expansive $3 billion Los Angeles Rams football stadium and entertainment district — precision and speed of information delivery and data collection are essential.
What's holding the industry back from taking on tech? Cost, scale, and a lack of existing-use cases are a few of the factors keeping construction executives from investing in new technology.
One example is the promise of small unmanned aerial vehicles, or drones, hovering over job sites for tasks such as aerial photography, site monitoring, and even material transportation. A lack of clear regulations has kept many AEC firms from formally incorporating the equipment into their workflow, but those that have used the technology experimentally have confirmed its game-changing potential. Last month, the Federal Aviation Authority put its much-anticipated commercial drone rules into effect, giving businesses clear guidelines on how they could and couldn't use the technology for commercial purposes. Four in 10 respondents to KPGM's report said they have used drones to monitor the progress of a job.
Getting augmented and virtual reality technology into the field will likely face similar challenges. The tools offer significant potential for safety training and concept design, but concerns remain around the practicality of putting on an AR or VR headset and walking around a job site — particularly one that's unfinished.