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Concrete<br />
considerations<br />
for offsite<br />
construction<br />
7-8 JUNE 2016<br />
THE EVENT FOR ARCHITECTS,<br />
SPECIFIERS, CLIENTS AND SUPPLIERS.<br />
The versatility of concrete<br />
means that it can be<br />
designed and constructed to<br />
deliver high performance buildings<br />
through a spectrum of solutions<br />
ranging from onsite cast concrete,<br />
onsite build using factory made<br />
blocks, through to offsite manufactured two dimensional panels<br />
and volumetric units. When considering offsite solutions there<br />
are additional benefits offered by the use of precast concrete for<br />
offsite construction compared to other systems.<br />
The robustness of concrete, for example means that it can be<br />
delivered and erected without the need for wrappings and covers<br />
to protect it from the elements. Care is required when handling<br />
prefabricated elements made of any material to prevent damage,<br />
but with robustness comes less risk of damage. Quite apart from<br />
the resource and wastage saved, the structural integrity of<br />
concrete is not compromised by weather, a significant advantage<br />
for construction. Less durable structures will be particularly<br />
vulnerable to delayed installation of building enclosure.<br />
Another advantage during construction is concrete’s inherent<br />
resistance to fire, avoiding the need for special measures to be<br />
installed to reduce the risk of fire spreading during build<br />
programmes.<br />
WWW.VISIONLONDON.COM<br />
@VISIONLDN<br />
Precast concrete for housing in the UK historically suffered from<br />
an image problem, due in part to the poorly maintained ‘brutal<br />
aesthetic’ of much of the mass housing put up in the 60’s and 70’s.<br />
While new housing is still more likely to be built from concrete than<br />
any other material, the concrete is likely to be hidden on the inside<br />
of the building, with concrete constructed to higher structural and<br />
quality standards. The range of finishes available in concrete is<br />
very broad, so it is wise to establish the required standard of finish<br />
and tolerances required with manufacturers before tender in order<br />
to align the clients and designers expectations with the right<br />
product or specification.<br />
Improved thermal performance requirements have also lead to an<br />
evolution in the detailing of housing. To achieve the low air<br />
permeability required of current building regulations or passiv<br />
haus standard, designers and constructors now need to pay closer<br />
attention to the joints and junctions of a buildings enclosure. This<br />
is facilitated by the solid, straight edges of precast panels, around<br />
window openings for example. Windows can also be pre-installed<br />
and tested in the panels. Since concrete itself is effectively airtight<br />
a precast concrete inner leaf offers a simple and durable solution<br />
for long term airtightness.<br />
The Concrete Centre will be launching a new publication at<br />
Ecobuild this year, explaining the CO2 saving of concrete through<br />
every stage of construction, including manufacture and demolition.<br />
Using thermal mass is an excellent way to optimise the use of<br />
precast concrete for sustainable construction, but there are also<br />
other many sustainability issues worth considering. These include<br />
long life, climate change adaption, flood resilience, recyclability<br />
and recycled content, local manufacture and local, responsibly<br />
sourced materials.<br />
So concrete is a great starting point when considering material<br />
selection for new buildings. It provides advantages during<br />
construction as well as offering long term performance benefits<br />
for o<strong>cc</strong>upants and building owners.<br />
www.concretecentre.com<br />
ATTEND VISION AND ACCESS:<br />
• Over 200 cutting edge exhibitors<br />
• International Meeting Programme<br />
• Interactive Show Features<br />
• Networking Receptions<br />
• 100+ CPD A<strong>cc</strong>redited seminar sessions covering:<br />
- Future Materials<br />
- Building Health & Wellness<br />
- Offsite Construction<br />
- Technology of Today<br />
- Innovations in Architecture & Design<br />
- Smart Buildings<br />
- Building Information Modelling (BIM)<br />
Sponsored by<br />
Register your interest today at<br />
www.visionlondon.com<br />
New for 2016: 7th June -<br />
Extended opening hours 1000 - 2100<br />
<strong>MMC</strong> <strong>Feb</strong> 2016 45
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