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New Cements

The specification of concrete code BS 8500 is being amended this summer to include three-part blends of cement such as Portland cement, GGBS and limestone fines or Portland cement, fly ash and limestone fines. These are low carbon cements which will improve the range of options available to designers, specifiers and producers.

Vibration control

Research by Arup found that concrete solutions can be designed to meet stringent vibration criteria and are the most efficient in doing so, with the smallest increases in depth and material required and with minimal additional cost.

Sustainability Summer School (London)

Consultation of the concrete industry sustainable construction strategy to 2020 is already underway. This year's summer school for the cement and concrete industry, will provide the first feedback from this process as well as an opportunity to discuss the impact of sustainability in your aspect of the supply chain. The third in a series of one-day briefings, this event will cover the following topics: Responsible sourcing BREEAM 2011 Achieving zero carbon homes Thermal performance to building regs: Part L Carbon calculator for buildings Specifying sustainable concrete Communicating the sustainability credentials of concrete

Low Carbon Residential Solutions (Manchester)

This free CPD evening seminar comprises three presentations covering sustainable high and low rise housing solutions in concrete and masonry. The presentations will discuss the change in Building Regulations: Part L1A 2010 and provide zero carbon solutions for heavyweight low rise housing, informed by a recent study published in The Concrete Centre document Thermal Performance. This will be contrasted with a high-rise residential case study from the designers of the 36-storey student accommodation project which, when completed in 2012, will be the second tallest building in Manchester. An update on specifying sustainable concrete, as well as information on the improving sustainablity performance of the concrete industry and the responsible sourcing of concrete, will also be provided.

Delivering Housing that is Resilient to Fire and Climate Change

A forthcoming conference, Resilient Housing, a collaboration between Modern Masonry, Brick Development and The Concrete Centre will be providing the latest guidance and technical expertise to enable the design and delivery of long-lasting and high-performance homes.

Mint Hotel, London

A key requirement for the Mint Hotel was for all walls between rooms to be concrete, which provides high levels of inherent thermal efficiency, fire resistance and sound insulation.

Marshall Building, London

From rotated grids to huge trunk-like columns and post-tensioned cantilevers, the structure is the star at the LSE’s extraordinary Marshall Building, writes Tony Whitehead

Colne Valley Viaduct, London

HS2 trains will only spend a minute or so above ground between the tunnels that take them out of London and through the Chiltern Hills – but a lot happens in that minute.

Government Bans Combustible Materials in External Walls of Tall Buildings

The Concrete Centre’s principal structural engineer and expert on fire, Tony Jones, clarifies the Government’s combustible materials ban and its impact on construction. 

On 29 November the Government announced details of the changes to the Building Regulations, and associated guidance, that bans the use of combustible materials in the external walls of the relevant buildings.

Oversimplifying the overheating issue

Tom De Saulles, The Concrete Centre's advisor on Building Physics expresses concerns that elements of new MHCLG proposals represent a backward step on addressing overheating in new homes.