Article 6

Self- compacting concrete benefits Leeds Echo 2 project

- The benefits of using self compacting concrete (SCC) have been widely known for many years yet it only counts for 5-6% in today’s construction projects. Rather a large percentage is taken by the pre-cast concrete sector.

- Reasons for SCC not being used: Cost – considerably higher than conventional concrete due to the increased volume of raw materials used. Production and investment costs are also higher. Lack of knowledge and awareness of this construction method. Issues with product consistency. Has been regarded as a niche product for reputable architectural designs.

- The difference in cost, however, has reduced substantially making it more feasible for contractors to consider.

- A case study was taken in 2007 in the UK. Echo 1 building was to be built solely using conventional concrete construction, and Echo 2 using SCC.

- Results from case study: due to the fluidity of SCC the quality of formwork needed to be of a high standard to ensure a clean finish. The overall standard was extremely high reducing the need for ‘bagging.’ Here savings were made of Echo 1. Concrete pours for SCC do not need to start early morning so that the finishing team could come in later afternoon. As a result SCC was a more efficient use of time.

- ‘Another significant benefit of SCC is the ability to tweak the mix to suit specific site requirements.’

- SCC requires careful scheduling and a detailed understanding of the on-site processes to ensure continuity of supply.

Article 5

‘Quality in ready-mixed concrete’

- The vast majority of concrete produced in the UK is now ready-mixed. It is convenient, economical and fast. The reliability of ready mixed concrete is very important to productivity. Assurance in quality can not be given or legally documented by the providing concrete manufacturer creating disputes over consistency.

- In the UK an independent third-party called the Quality Scheme for Ready Mixed Concrete (QSRMC) was developed to regulate and monitor the production of ready mixed concrete.

- This means rigorous production criteria and meticulous assessment procedures by a body of clients, specifiers, purchasers and ready mixed concrete producers.

- Representatives of the board include; civil engineers, structural engineers, the concrete society, the national build council, consulting engineers and contractors.

- Compliance with the QSRMC means lower costs by reducing risks and getting concrete right the first time.

Article 4

‘Mega steel structure amasses modern art’

Queensland Gallery of Modern Art:

- Steel construction

- Architects: Lindsay and Kerry Clare.

- The structures distinctive cantilevered roof provides shade to extensive steel framed glazing from the sub-tropical sun.

- Complex hip connection geometry was modeling using AutoCAD.

- The structural design for each corner of the roof required complex steel fabrication and erection methodology.

- ‘We trial-assembled each corner structure of the roof off-site, so they correctly aligned when erected on-site’

- ‘The site boasts one of the longest columns on a building in Brisbane. The impressive 23-metre high external column, constructed from OneSteel 300PLUS, was designed to have no lateral support

- Hidden connections using ‘shee-bolts’ in the steelwork produced a clean looking façade.

- Standard drainage pipes weren’t an option, an innovative system whereby all pipes were installed in the roof cavity was developed. Thus, there are no visible pipes.

- Tower cranes were used instead of multiple 100tonne and 50tonne mobile cranes, cutting erection by ten weeks

- The sequencing of scheduling was monitored very carefully to eliminate double handling and paint damage.

‘Steel Australia’ – March 2007 Volume 20 No.1

Article 3

‘Energy – efficient house opens in Nottingham’

- ‘The project aims to stimulate sustainable design ideas and promote new ways of providing affordable, environmentally sustainable house that are innovative in their design.’

- A low carbon emissions target has been set for the house. Energy-efficient products are being used to create a thermally-efficient home and renewable fuel will be used for heating.

- The aim is to build an energy-efficient house that balances with the benefits of its efficiency in-terms of its cost.

- The design relies on passive solar to keep costs down. Walls are highly insulated with limited openings except for the south façade.

- The south façade features opening and closing glazed screens which can adjust heating and cooling.

- Expanded polystyrene blocks were used: This reduces the carbon footprint by up to 12% on normal concrete as less natural aggregates are used.

- These blocks also increase the thermal and acoustic qualities.

Article 2

‘Creating a concrete classic’

- One of UK’s most popular retail destinations is being built from bespoke precast concrete.

- Precast solution chosen for both its aesthetic qualities and long-lasting maintenance-free solutions.

- Precast also meets the requirements for sustainability, durability, strength, fire resistance and thermal efficiency.

- Off-site manufacture helped to ensure the consistency in colour and quality required for the flagship development.

- High quality finish materials required meticulous organization to ensure they could be fitted immediately and accurately rather than being delivered and stored on-site.

Article 1

‘Barcode becomes a landmark’

- This unique industrial warehouse has become a landmark to Sydney’s west.

- BlueScope Lysaght has supplied 21,000 square metres of its wide cover Lysaght Integrity 820 cladding to form the pattern of black and white stripes to the north, south and roof facades.

- Recall the client deals with document management solutions including the storage and physical documents and auido0visual materials as well as secure information destruction.

- ‘Barcodes are the centre of everything which recall does’ Architects statement about the design.

- The Integrity cladding system provides the benefits of long spanning, pierced-fix cladding, with waterproofing characteristics of a concealed-fix profile.

- The design is particularly strong as Recall demands that all its buildings be structurally designed to withstand earthquakes and other natural disasters.

http://www.bluescopesteel.com.au/go/case-study/barcode-becomes-a-landmark#