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Sustainability E-News
Resource Efficiency
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September 30, 2018
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Volume 10, Number 18
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SPONSORED EDITION
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From the Editor
One important aspect of sustainable design is about utilizing materials in an efficient manner. Oftentimes resource efficiency is a second-tier thought, but I would argue that reducing use of resources by using them efficiently should be a primary concern. One of the key points in the article below is how to use a material (in this case masonry) efficiently. Or as I like to say, get the most bang for your buck!
Christine "Tina" Subasic, PE, LEED AP
CSubasicPE@aol.com
NOTE: Inclusion in this newsletter is not an endorsement of the products and materials featured, nor have these products been evaluated by TMS or the editor. Furthermore, the views expressed in the articles featured are those of the article authors.
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GREEN BUILDING NEWS
One of the challenges with resiliency is how to define it. Its complex nature means that people define it differently. The American Concrete Institute (ACI) is trying to address a related area of design by developing standards to define a 100-year service life building. Read more in the link below.
~Tina
What Non-Engineers Need to Know About Structural Masonry
THE CONSTRUCTION SPECIFIER
Structural masonry saves time and money while providing a durable solution for building design. Masonry has outstanding load carrying and transfer capabilities but is too often relegated to veneer, infill, or over-designed structural elements. This creates an inefficient construction delivery system and misuse of material, which can negatively impact cost, schedule, and space. All parties in the design and construction process benefit from understanding the basic and advanced principles of structural masonry and how they are applied. This article discusses efficient uses of masonry systems.
ASCE, Pankow Foundation Encourage Structural Fire Safety
ENGINEERING NEWS-RECORD
The American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) Structural Engineering Institute and the Charles Pankow Foundation have started a $230,000 research initiative to support structural engineering fire safety. The goal is to create guidelines for structural engineers in the US, and a final document could be completed in 2019. Read more here.
ACI Task Force to Develop Standards for 100-Year Service Life
CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION
An American Concrete Institute (ACI) task force plans to create design and construction standards for buildings with a 100-year service life. It wants to form consensus around the term "service life" to give more meaning and credence to the standard. Read more.
Wellness-Focused Office Buildings Aim For Design That Boosts Productivity
NEW YORK TIMES
Designing buildings to promote employee wellness is a growing trend, bolstered by new certification programs such as the Well Building Standard introduced by Delos in 2014. The company's new office in Manhattan uses sensors to keep tabs on air quality, has standing desks for employees and features a wide oak staircase to encourage people to avoid the elevator. Read more.
Big NYC Landlords Join Plan to Cut Energy Use 20% by 2030
BLOOMBERG.COM
Last year, Urban Green brought together more than 40 leading building and energy stakeholders under the 80x50 Buildings Partnership, recognizing the need for extensive dialogue to develop impactful and thoughtful policy. The group's first report, the Blueprint for Efficiency, a groundbreaking, 21-point framework to cut carbon in New York City's large buildings is featured in this article.
Lessons on Resiliency
NEW YORK TIMES
New Process Can Estimate Building's Emissions During Design Stage
MIT NEWS OFFICE
An MIT-developed process detailed in the journal Building and Environment means no longer waiting for a building's design to be finished to gauge its full environmental impact. The researchers found ways to decrease emissions from a new building without compromising the design process by incorporating an "entropy" version of a life cycle analysis at the outset. Read more.
GREEN PRODUCT NEWS
The innovative concrete masonry unit featured in the article below brings a unique form to a traditional construction material. ~Tina
Innovative Block Wins ARCHITECT R+D Award
ARCHITECT MAGAZINE
MineralBuilt is a new concrete masonry unit designed by architects. In searching for a product with the strength of concrete but flexibility of wood framing, Francisco Gomes and Dabney Staub created their own building block. The resulting configuration offers benefits and increased efficiencies in manufacturing, shipping, and construction as well. Gomes said that the blocks use one-third less cement and aggregate than conventional blocks, and can be made 50 percent faster-all on standard CMU production equipment. Instead of the two hollow openings of a conventional CMU, MineralBuilt blocks create an open cavity on the inboard wall face, with the piers working as supports on which to hang drywall or other finishes. AIA's magazine, ARCHITECT, was impressed enough to recognize the invention with a citation award in its 12th Annual R+D Awards. Read more.
Researchers Discover Waste Plastic Could be Used in Concrete
THE CONSTRUCTION INDEX (UK)
Researchers from the UK's University of Bath and Goa Engineering College in India have discovered that 10% of sand in concrete could be replaced with ground-up plastic for more sustainable construction. According to this article, the approach could help reduce plastic waste and help deal with India's national sand shortage by saving an estimated 820 million metric tons each year.
EDUCATIONAL NEWS
The TMS Annual Meeting is just around the corner, October 3-6th. Register now before it's too late! ~Tina
TMS Annual Meeting - October 3 - 6th in Cleveland
MASONRYSOCIETY.ORG
The Masonry Society's Annual Meeting is rapidly approaching. Join us for presentations on the
Changing Landscape of Green Codes and more! For more information on the schedule, educational opportunities, registration and more,
click here.
TMS Webinar Fall Series Begins October 11th
MASONRYSOCIETY.ORG
The Masonry Society's 2018/2019 2nd-Thursday-of-the-Month Webinar Series are easy ways to learn more about various masonry topics while earning 1 hour of continuing education. Topics include:
- October 11, 2018 - Specifying the Right Mortar and Grout for your Projects, Jamie Farny, Portland Cement Association
- November 8, 2018 - Design of Movement and Control Joints for Masonry, Sam Rubenzer, FORSE Consulting
- December 13, 2018 - Masonry Façade Inspections - Best Practices and Tips, Pamela Jergenson, INSPEC and Michael Schuller, Atkinson-Noland & Associates
- January 10, 2019 - Rational Design of Masonry Veneers & Shelf Angle Supports, W. Mark McGinley, University of Louisville
Webinars will begin at 1 pm ET. For more information and to register for these seminars, visit the
TMS website.
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