Technical Resources

Technical Resources

Technical Resources

Technical Committee Meeting, Latest Industry Trends in Concrete

Feb 18, 2021, Technical Committee Meeting
Latest Industry Trends in Concrete presented by Lisa Barnard

Concrete is the material of choice for the tallest buildings in the world and infrastructure designed to last centuries. To meet demands for these cutting-edge projects, concrete must be stronger, more durable and more workable than ever before. During our meeting we explored how new products, manufacturing methods and research are developing innovative concretes to meet these new challenges. Bendable concrete, smog eating concrete and carbon capture are just a few examples of new technologies enhancing a product that is nearly 5,000 years in development.

We reviewed

Quality Assurance Field Testing Pitfalls, designing and installing fenestration products to meet design performance criteria

CSI Phoenix, Technical Committee
Mike Bourassa, Manager for Heitmann & Associates Southwest Region

Mike is Building Envelope Consultant specializing in building science waterproofing consulting, approaching (40) forty years in the construction industry. His building projects are on the forefront of current wall technology meeting today's challenging cost and performance outcomes. He is a leader his field with an emphasis on building design/performance; internal weatherproofing & air barrier integration with interfacing façade cladding systems. Mike is a CSI Phoenix member and member of the Technical committee. His contact number can be found on the presentation notes.

The Move Toward Embodied Carbon Targets for Building Materials

CSI Phoenix, Technical Committee
Lisa Barnard, CSI, LEED AP O+M, WELL AP. Account Manager, Concrete & Verifi

Extreme weather events around the world are spurring more communities to become concerned about the growing consequences of climate change. This is driving an increased focus on reducing embodied carbon, which represents a large part of the emissions produced in the building industry. The carbon footprint of a building consists of the embodied carbon from construction and the energy the structure consumes once it's completed. In the case of concrete, the embodied carbon is what is emitted by taking the raw materials out of the ground, processing them, and delivering them.

Information from Technical Services Information Bureau (TSIB)

The Technical Services Information Bureau (TSIB) which is the technical department for the Western Wall and Ceiling Contractors Association (WWCCA). The TSIB provides education and technical support to the design community, code officials, and the signatory union contractors for the wall and ceiling industry.

TSIB Mission Statement:

To serve and improve the wall and ceiling industry in the southwestern United States. Support the fundamental core that apprenticeship and training of craft workers is a benefit to everyone. To provide unbiased information to designers, code authorities and honest evaluation of materials, systems and workmanship. To be a leader in establishing best practices for the wall and ceiling industry.

Concrete, admixtures and sustainability

CSI Phoenix, Technical Committee
Lisa Barnard, CSI, LEED AP O+M, WELL AP. Account Manager, Concrete & Verifi

Environmentally friendly concrete is a topic that has come up quite often on projects with questions ranging across the AEC value chain from ready mix producers to designers and specifiers. Given those questions and the fact that Oct 30, 2019 is our Phoenix Chapter US Green Building Council’s 8th Annual State Conference I wanted to share a couple resources on measuring sustainability and how admixtures aid in sustainable concrete design.

https://usgbc-la.org/blog/environmental-product-declarations-101/

 Applying the Building Code

Applying the Building Code: Step-by-Step Guidance for Design and Building Professionals (Building Codes Illustrated)

No other resource—not even the building code—presents the exact code information you need, when you need it at design stage

The International Building Code (IBC) is a model building code developed by the International Code Council (ICC). The IBC and its complementary codes provide design and construction professionals with a complete set of comprehensive, coordinated building safety and fire prevention regulations in order to safeguard the public health and general welfare of the occupants of new and existing buildings and structures. Adopted throughout most of the United States and its territories, it is referenced by federal agencies, such as the General Services Administration, National Park Service, Department of State, U.S. Forest Service, and the Department of Defense. For architects and other design and construction professionals, it is particularly important that they understand how to apply the IBC and how code officials view buildings, so that they integrate code-required provisions in the earliest design stages of any project.

Buy Now

CSI Southwest Region

CSI Insitute