Think Concrete Blog

• Lessons Learned From Superstorm Sandy

  Posted On: December 03, 2012

  As we continue to deal with the aftermath of Superstorm Sandy, a bill now before Congress will help us take a common sense approach to rebuilding after a disaster.

  The Disaster Savings and Resilient Construction Act of 2012 (H.R. 5839) provides an incentive for builders and contractors who use resilient ...

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  Category: Resilience

• Urge Congress to Avoid Fiscal Cliff and Preserve Jobs

  Posted On: November 20, 2012

  Contact your federal elected officials and urge them to take immediate action to avoid the pending “fiscal cliff,” a $500 billion hit to the U.S. economy due to take effect at year’s end, barring congressional action.

   As the construction industry attempts to recover from the steepest economic downturn since the ...

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  Category: Legislation

• "Fiscal Cliff" Could Derail Construction Growth

  Posted On: October 02, 2012

  Although PCA expects cement consumption to grow modestly in 2012 and 2013 (6.9 percent and 5.7 percent, respectively), there is high risk attached to the forecast if Congress fails to avert the “fiscal cliff," according to a report issued by PCA last week.

  Tax increases of $400 billion, coupled with $200 billion ...

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  Category: Market Intelligence

• Joplin to Think Harder about Building Options

  Posted On: September 27, 2012

  Local professionals dedicated to rebuilding a strong and sustainable Joplin will offer a free fair to provide area residents an opportunity to learn more about green and resilient building.

  On May 22, 2011, a devastating F5 tornado cleared a one mile wide by 14 mile long path of destruction through Joplin, ...

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  Category: Resilience

• Hey Einstein, Part 2: Doing the Math on Concrete vs. Asphalt Costs

  Posted On: September 25, 2012

  A recent post referenced a Nebraska paving project in which the concrete alternative was cheaper than the asphalt options on the basis of initial construction costs.

  Not to mention the savings over the lifetime of the project as calculated in a life-cycle cost analysis.

  The conclusion:   "Hey Einstein: It ...

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  Category: Paving Projects

• "Forget Everything You Thought You Knew About Concrete vs. Asphalt Costs"

  Posted On: September 21, 2012

  Earlier this week we discussed a recent project in Nebraska in which concrete beat asphalt on a first cost basis. We used it as an example of how the use of alternative design/alternative bid levels the playing field for concrete and allows it to compete with asphalt options. (See September ...

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  Category: Paving Projects

• MIT Finds a More Accurate Way to Measure Life-Cycle Costs of Roads

  Posted On: September 19, 2012

  Life-cycle cost analysis (LCCA)  is emerging as one of the most important tools available for making informed choices on paving materials.  Recommended by the Federal Highway Administration, this process has allowed several states to save taxpayers millions of dollars, improve roadway performance, and make decision-making a far more transparent process....

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  Category: Sustainability

• Energy Outook Could Fuel Long-Term Growth for Cement

  Posted On: September 18, 2012

  The recession has obviously had a deep and lasting impact on the cement industry. From a peak in 2005 of 128 million tons, cement use in the U.S.  declined to 70 million tons in 2010.

  We are seeing some improvement this year. And longer term, population growth during the next 25 years ...

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  Category: Market Intelligence

• ADAB Fosters More Competitive Bidding Process

  Posted On: September 17, 2012

  For decades, concrete paving cost significantly more than asphalt paving in terms of initial construction costs.

  Yet because concrete lasts for decades with little maintenance, it was often the more economical choice when costs were analyzed over the useful life of the road.

  Now, with petroleum-based asphalt prices rising, concrete ...

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  Category: Paving Projects

• MIT Researchers Embrace Four I's of Sustainable Change

  Posted On: September 14, 2012

  On Thursday, September 27, researchers from the Massachusets Institute of Technology Concrete Sustainability Hub will bring industry stakeholders up to date on  their latest research findings and progress.

  The theme of this year’s event is “Research With An I4 Sustainable Change": Invest, Innovate, Invigorate, and Implement.

  MIT researchers have developed ...

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  Category: Sustainability

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