https://t.co/bQHfLUIC9u thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor
— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) May 31, 2017
from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk
May 31, 2017 at 02:50PM
Wednesday, May 31, 2017
https://t.co/bQHfLUIC9u thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor
from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk
May 31, 2017 at 02:50PM
Developer joins forces with Uber to ditch parking spaces
Private rented sector specialist Moda is linking up with taxi app Uber to cut the number of car parking places in its city centre developments.
Residents will receive up to £100 in Uber credits each month if they agree not to have a car parking space.
Moda will swap the space previously used for car parking for greater amenities within the developments like fitness centres and media rooms.
Moda, backed by Apache Capital Partners, is delivering more than 6,000 apartments across the UK with major city centre developments in London, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Leeds, Liverpool, and Birmingham.
Its first scheme, Angel Gardens in Manchester’s NOMA neighbourhood, is currently under construction and will house close to 900 residents when it completes in 2019.
Moda’s buildings are created only for rent, and include shared areas that mimic a high-end hotel.
Jo Bertram, regional general manager of Uber in the UK, said: “Cars are one of the most expensive assets most people own, but they’re used just five per cent of the time.
“Our mission is for everybody to have a reliable ride at the touch of a button so they don’t need their own car.
“These plans for what will be a unique partnership with Moda Living is a big step forward in making that a reality.
“By getting more people to ditch their own vehicles we can put some of the space wasted on parking to much better use.”
Johnny Caddick, managing director of Moda Living, said: “Our apartments are for rent rather than for sale so we need to consider how our customers will live in cities in the future.
“Embracing future technology is vital from day one and these plans for a partnership with Uber would not only give our customers an affordable ride at the touch of a button – it would also enable us to design better buildings with more space for social interaction.”
The post Developer joins forces with Uber to ditch parking spaces appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk
Tuesday, May 30, 2017
CONCRETE CONDITION CHECK KEY TO STRUCTURAL WELLBEING
In older reinforced concrete structures, particularly those in coastal locations with a prevalence of salty air, or ones exposed long-term to pollutants in towns and cities, some form of corrosion is inevitable. However, the visual signs of carbonisation and chlorides, such as cracks or spalling, can take months, possibly even years before appearing. By then, of course, serious damage could be done and repairs could prove costly.
Sika is in the process of launching an investigation service. In conjunction with our partner, Vector, the survey will identify the most appropriate corrosion management system to employ. This offering further demonstrates our all-round commitment to quality concrete refurbishment.
A survey could include the following depending on the structure and condition of the concrete:
Visual inspection: This offers a flexible and powerful form of testing. It can provide an immediate assessment of a concrete structure’s condition and identify causes of stress or other debilitating conditions. A visual inspection, however, is dependent on the competence and experience of the survey team carrying it out, therefore surveys of this kind should only be made by those qualified and experienced to do so.
Hammer testing: A hammer test identifies hollow or spalled areas of concrete by assessing the sound difference using either a hammer or chain.
Carbonation: A solution called Phenolphthalein is used to indicate levels of alkalinity which triggers the corrosion process. The substance, which is spray-applied, turns pink when it contacts alkaline in conc
Break out: Break out testing sees areas of concrete broken away to assess the condition of the steel. This test acts as a validation measure against the other tests such as carbonation, chloride and half-cell measurements.
Concrete cover: A cover meter survey identifies and records the minimum and average depths of concrete cover to the embedded steel to help determine the risk of corrosion. It is also used to identify where the steel is.
Chloride analysis: This involves collecting concrete dust samples to test for the presence of chlorides.
Half-cell potential mapping: Corrosion of reinforcing steel is an electro-chemical process and the deterioration of the steel can be assessed by measuring its half-cell potential. The greater the potential, the higher the risk that corrosion is taking place.
Corrosion rate measurement: An electrochemical test carried out on the surface of the corroding metal to assess the causes of corrosion and predict the rate it will occur.
Once a survey has taken place, results will determine the most suitable corrosion management system to employ. For example, where high levels of chlorides are detected within the concrete, the Sika® Galvashield® system, comprising embedded galvanic anodes, is recommended. The sacrificial anodes prevent the formation of new corrosion sites either adjacent to the refurbished concrete or to concre
This simple, innovative anode system involves a small, circular-shaped cementitious shell encasing a zinc core which is quickly and easily fastened to exposed steel reinforcement. Once installed, the anode’s zinc core corrodes sacrificially to the surrounding rebar to therefore protect it.
A concrete conditioning survey can help identify a potential problem before it takes hold, tying-in with the well-known saying, ‘prevention is better than cure’. The good news is, with the launch of our investigation service, alongside our existing Total Corrosion Management System, Sika has the means to provide both the prevention and a long-term cure.
The post CONCRETE CONDITION CHECK KEY TO STRUCTURAL WELLBEING appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk
Friday, May 26, 2017
Wolf Paving Q&A on Mr. Fix-It - Damaged Asphalt Driveways to Recycling
Wolf Paving was once again featured in WTMJ’s “Mr. Fit-It” radio show to share some asphalt expertise in an interview lead by Milwaukee’s Tom Feiza. This program gives weekly advice on home improvements, repairs and do-it-yourself projects.
We’ve divided up the interview into three sections so you can quickly find the answers to your pavement questions! Click the radio clips to get in depth answers these common questions or check out our summary for an informative on-the-go response.
Click Here to Listen to Part 1 of the Radio Interview!
Q&A Highlights For Part 1:
What can a snow plow do to damage asphalt?
If your pavement is already damaged, a plow can make it worse. If you have alligator cracks, that’s a sign that your asphalt is having problems. The base underneath is failing, and the structure that’s holding up the asphalt is starting to disintegrate which makes it lose strength. When the snowplows come through they catch the edges and that can tear things up. We have a checklist that’s important to go through in the fall to prepare your parking lot or driveway for winter so that you don’t hook those edges. Some crack filling and preventative maintenance will help to not let the snow plow wreck it over the winter.
I’m looking to redo my driveway, it’s currently asphalt but I’ve heard about this green asphalt, is that something I’d use in a residential? And is it something I should be considering?
Green asphalt is a term we use in the industry for asphalt with recycled products in it. We recycle the old asphalt that comes out of driveways and parking lots, taking that back to our plant and process it down then add it back into the new mix. We also take roofing shingles, grind those down, and turn them into a powder. We add that back into the new asphalt as well. Once we put all these recycled products into the mix it becomes Green Asphalt. It’s got a lot of benefits. Asphalt oxidizes over time which makes it a little harder, the oils we recover from the roofing shingles and the old asphalt are already oxidized and it adds a little bit of strength to it. So, it’s a better product that virgin asphalt and it diverts a lot of material out of the landfills
I have a question about alligator cracking, is there a way to fix it without replacing the whole driveway? Like a crack filler?
Sure, depending on how severe it’s getting I would definitely suggest crack filling right away. The biggest problem that destroys a driveway is water getting underneath it, so you wanna keep that water out. Especially in the winter time, it will freeze and start pushing up. I would crack fill it immediately and try and to get that area to dry out because it’s gonna get real soft underneath when it gets wet.
True or False: is sealing a driveway good or bad?
It depends on what you’re trying to accomplish. Driveway sealing works great for UV ray protection. It also protects from gas spills or oil that drips from your car. The problem is people apply asphalt sealer too often, it’s almost like getting too many layers of paint on your house. When it gets too thick it will start flaking off. You need to wait about every other year, or maybe even every 3rd year, before you can put another coat on.
In general, what’s the best sealer (latex base, water base, oil base)?
Our industry is going to a latex based sealer. It’s the most environmentally friendly, and it’s easy to apply. You mix in a little water in with the asphalt, emulsifying it. That water will dry away in a latex sealer and you’ll be left with nothing but the asphalt.
If you don’t have the right surface drainage around the edges that can destroy your driveway, asphalt or concrete. We have a spring checklist and a fall checklist to show you how catch those trouble signs.
Click Here to Listen to Part 2 of the Radio Interview!
Q&A Highlights For Part 2:
I’ve got a nasty driveway, blacktop, more pieces are coming out than staying in. I wanna have it redone, does all of that have to be dug out or do they just put a new layer on top of the ugly layer?When it starts to get to that point it needs to be removed. When it comes to anything that’s coming apart that bad, trying to cover it up it will reflect right back through the top. If it’s really coming apart that bad you’re probably having some base problems underneath it. Asphalt is a flexible product, it gets its strength from what it’s sitting on so you must have a good gravel base.
I’ve got a cracked concrete driveway, could I put an inch of asphalt over it?
You could, but what’s gonna happen is that the concrete underneath is gonna move as one piece. And when it moves over the winter you’re gonna have a crack at every joint in that concrete. Any cracks that are in that concrete now are gonna reflect through. It’s not something we recommend. Have we done it? Yes, if we have to fix a drainage problem for a short-term basis but in the long run it’s not a good way to go.
We are looking to replace our driveway, it’s in decent shape, what do you think about tearing it all up and getting a new base vs shaving off the top and paving over the existing base?
Taking a bit off the top is called milling process, we have a milling machine that will grind an inch or two inches of asphalt off. If your driveway is in pretty good shape, and there aren’t a lot of cracks in it, it’s a possibility that can be done. Those milling machines are very heavy. Driveways aren’t built like roads are built to hold that machine up, generally we do a lot of milling on roadways and parking lots. You might be able to get away with it, but that mill might just push through the asphalt that’s left and brake through to that gravel base. If you have a lot of cracks now, milling and paving over will lead to those cracks still reflecting in the new asphalt.
Click Here to Listen to Part 3 of the Radio Interview!
Q&A Highlights For Part 3:
What’s the average life of asphalt sealant?
That’s a tough one. It depends on exposure to the sun, rain and everything else but you wanna let that sealer wear off before you apply another coat. It depends on how it was applied in the first place, you could be looking at some dry areas after a year or you could be waiting three years to apply your next coat. But you really want to let it wear down because you don’t want it to build up too thick by reapplying it.
When you do a base is it one kind of rock or stone?
It depends what we’re doing. If you’re going through a really wet area we might put some construction fabric down. Maybe a three-inch clear stone over that to get it to lock together, and then probably finish it off with an inch and a quarter crushed fine gravel. There are other times if you got a good base you could just put down the ¾ inch gravel,
You manufacture the product, is part of that recycling?
We probably recycle about 40,000 tons of roofing shingles a year. And you’re probably looking at 100,000 tons of concrete and asphalt combined. We’re probably creeping up on 250 or 300 thousand tons of material recycles a year.
The post Wolf Paving Q&A on Mr. Fix-It - Damaged Asphalt Driveways to Recycling appeared first on https://www.wolfpaving.com/blog
Thursday, May 25, 2017
BREEAM’S SUCCESS FOUNDED ON COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT
The importance and usefulness of evidence cannot be underestimated. Without it, we can have no confidence in the effectiveness of our past activities or future strategies. Used correctly, however, evidence can be used as a solid bedrock on which to build all our plans upon.
As a product of the BRE, it comes as no surprise that independent research and sound scientific evidence are fundamental ingredients of the BREEAM Standard. What’s possibly less commonly recognised is the ongoing role cutting-edge research plays in the continual development of BREEAM, keeping the Standard at the very forefront of the latest green building thinking and helping to drive excellence in sustainability across the globe.
Since its launch in 1990, BREEAM has expanded its reach to 78 countries with 2,626,873 registered buildings and 561,191 certificates issued worldwide to date. With an 80% market share, BREEAM dominates the European green building market. And with the recent launch of BREEAM USA, we’re hoping to replicate this success in North America.
We believe one of the main keys to the growth of BREEAM is in its flexibility and ongoing development. BREEAM has been adapted for individual markets across the globe to enable the assessment and certification of various built environment projects, including new builds, refurbishments, wider masterplanning projects, infrastructure and even the current operational sustainability of a functional building.
The methodology is constantly adapted to stay ahead of best practice within the industry, meaning those undertaking the Standard can always be sure their asset is certified against the most rigorous sustainability criteria. In-depth research – freely available through our website – is central to this endeavour.
The second factor driving BREEAM’s uptake both in the UK and overseas is the ever-deeper understanding of the business case for green buildings.
Earlier this month, in a report by edie.net, the Chief Executive of the US Green Building Council Mahesh Ramanujam urged European businesses to invest in certifications such as BREEAM stating “there is value in certification and it is important to pursue to generate validation from the external markets”.
A recent study found the global market will respond accordingly. The World Green Building Trends predicts a near 100% rise in the number of green buildings by 2018 – at which time it estimates that 37% of companies will have the majority of their estate certified sustainable, up from 18% when the report was published last year.
By generating the latest, leading thinking on all aspects of sustainable development and incorporating it into the Standard, BRE is focused on ensuring BREEAM is able to meet this demand. Using the latest research to continuously amend and adapt the BREEAM criteria, companies and communities utilising the Standard worldwide will be able achieve the very best green results possible.
We understand the importance of evidence and the effect it can have on a person or organisation’s thinking and the strategies they put in place. This is why we take such care with the evidence we publish in our research, such as included in our recent Value of BREEAM to Retail in the UK report.
Through the publication of such research, we hope to give companies across the globe the confidence to invest further in sustainable development and assurance that BREEAM can help them on their journey to a greener way of working.
For more information on BREEAM visit: www.breeam.com
The post BREEAM’S SUCCESS FOUNDED ON COMMITMENT TO RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk
Tuesday, May 23, 2017
https://t.co/L6umPdLTHO thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #pavingcontractor
https://t.co/L6umPdLTHO thanks for following us! Have a great day :) #driveways #pavingcontractor
— Driveway Contractor (@drivewaysuk) May 23, 2017
from Twitter https://twitter.com/drivewaysuk
May 23, 2017 at 11:23AM
Monday, May 22, 2017
The Future Of London’s Skyline
Over the next few years, London’s skyline will change dramatically, so we thought we’d take a look at some of the new buildings that are about to pop up in the nation’s capital as well as showing you where exactly they’ll be developed and outline some of the concerns made by locals who are keen to keep the skyline as it is.
The Future Of London’s Skyline by Rubber Bond.
The post The Future Of London’s Skyline appeared first on http://ukconstructionblog.co.uk
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