Category: Concrete
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When False Knowledge Fails Trench and Excavation Projects
There’s a famous saying, “It ain’t what you don’t know that gets you into trouble. It’s what you know for sure that just ain’t so.” It’s commonly accredited to Mark Twain, but likely it’s one of those quotes that change as people say it and eventually collapses upon itself over time. No matter where the…
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Understanding DOI Measurements for Polished Concrete Floors
Maintaining the aesthetic appeal of polished concrete floors is crucial, as according to a Forbes.com article, you only have seven seconds to make a good impression. If a customer walks in and sees damaged or dull floors, they may conclude that the overall business is not well-kept. Traditionally, gloss measurements were the standard for assessing…
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$1.248 Trillion was Spent in Nonresidential Construction in January
According to an analysis by the Associated Builders and Contractors of published data from the U.S. Census Bureau, national nonresidential construction spending increased 0.1% in January. On a seasonally adjusted annualized basis, nonresidential spending totaled $1.248 trillion. However, their economist expresses some concern. 12 of the 16 nonresidential subcategories, spending was up on a monthly…
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How AI Agents are Leading the Future of Construction
Envision your future job site: autonomous bots doing layout, material staging and installations; drones conducting inspections; and office staff using virtual reality to interact with a digital twin comparing the plans to the as-built. For leaders of most construction firms, that future state for the field is not something they expect to see this decade.…
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What the Steel and Aluminum Tariff Could Mean for Construction
In an effort to protect America’s steel and aluminum industries, on February 11, President Trump signed proclamations to close loopholes, restoring a “true” 25 percent tariff on steel, raising the tariff from 10 to 25 percent on aluminum. As quickly as President Trump addressed these tariffs on what are vitally imported construction materials, it didn’t…
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Working with alternative concrete binders: BSI’s new guidance
Traditional Portland cement, a major ingredient in conventional concrete, plays a huge role in global CO2 emissions. This is because its production requires a lot of energy. In the UK alone, according to the European Ready Mixed Concrete Organisation, about 11.7 million tonnes of Portland cement are used annually. This results in millions of tonnes…
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Precision pouring: how digital surveillance boosts concrete quality
New digital surveillance technology is proving its worth in improving concrete quality assurance, as well as advancing safety and sustainability, writes Mott MacDonald’s Sudarshan Srinivasan. A wide range of digital technologies such as sensors, data acquisition systems, data analysis and decision-making tools are being implemented in large infrastructure projects. However, there are challenges to be…
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Tracking Leased Concrete Equipment | For Construction Pros
In the concrete and construction sectors, leased equipment is vital to project success. From concrete mixers to cranes, leasing enables companies to leverage high-performance machinery in a much more cost-effective way than through outright ownership. Effective management of these leased assets is challenging and can directly impact profitability, compliance, and operational efficiency. Asset management software…
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Construction Experts Unite to Bring Tech to the Industry, Built by Builders Q&A
In the consumerism industry, products are constantly being updated and changed to better suit the consumer. In the construction industry, it can be hard to find the perfect product that tackles the problems that contractors are actually dealing with. When the producer has personal experience with your field of expertise, the products are more likely…
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Could graphene be the future of concrete?
Graphene was discovered by researchers at the University of Manchester in 2004, a super-strong material that is just one atom thick. Its strength and thermal conductivity mean that its potential applications seem almost endless, with applications in electronics, composites and coatings, biomedicine, energy and sensors to name but a few. But there are many versions…