Thereare manychallengesfacingtoday's constructionindustry.Demandfor everfaster andmorecost effectiveconstructionmustbe answeredwith solutionsthat ensurehighievels of long-termperformanceandsustainability.ln additionto meetingthesegenericchallenges, constructionmustmeetthe speci1icdemands of particularprajects.Thesemayrange fram meetingthe deadlinesandfulfillingthe aspirationsof the 2012 Olympicsto confranting the harshenvironmentimposeduponsea defences,or fram ensuringthat homesremaincomfortableinthe face of the globalwarmingto allowinghomesto float abovethe dangerof flooding.
As a constructionmaterial,the versatilityof concretewithits unmatchedintrinsicbene1its- suchas Inherent1ire thermalefficiency,soundinsulationandlong-termr - meansthat it is weilplacedto meetailthesechallenges.
demonstratedby the projectsexaminedin this year'sNew Engineeringsupplement.Theseencompassa formidablerange of challengesfrom buildingthe structuresfor the London Gamesto prajectswhicharefocusedon solvinga particular suchasthe provisionof safevehicularrestrainton our motorwaysor the fast constructionof roadandrail bridges.
Thechallengesfacedby constructiontodaymaynet necessarilybe the sameas thosein the future.However,anongoingprogramme.
of innovationandproductdevelopmentmeansthat concreteshould continueto pravidecost effectivesolutionsthat are ableto turna challengeinto anopportunity.
lan Cox
chief executive
The Concrete Centre'"
NEW CONCRETE ENGINEERING 151RoseberyAvenue,LondonECIR4GB.
EDITORIAL tel:(020)75056666 fax:(020)75056667
emailnceedit@constructemap.com EDITEDBY
RubyKitching PRODUCTION AndrewBolton,GregPitcher ARTEDITOR
Matt Reynolds
NEWCONCRETEENGINEERINGis produced by
New Civil Engineer,publishedweeklyby EmapConstruct Ltd. a part of Emap Communications.
REPROGRAPHICS
WyndehamGraphics,Sidcup,Kent Printer
Polestar,Colchester,Essex
NCENEWCONCRt:TEENGINEERINGSUPPLEMENTSEPTEMBER2006
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5 News
Therise of Hemcrete;readymix on the Undergroundandmore.
10 Blackpool sea detences Howa.f66Mprojectis net just protectingthe townfram floodingbut aisechangingits appearance.
13 Pretabricated hotel Theconstructionof a 166 bedraomhotelin 12 weeks.
14 Libeskind interview TheGroundZeroredevelopment architecton concrete.
16 Precast bridges Choosingthe bestmaterialfor bridgesspanning15mto 50m.
17 Lightweight aggregate It couldslashthe cost of bridges - so whyis it net usedmore?
18 Olympie build
Concrete's use in Premiership stadiums stands the material in good stead for 2012.
20 Sustainable homes Which building materials are best for keeping down electricity bills?
22 Soil solidification Replacing'dig anddump'as a wayof dealingwithwastesoil.
24 Energy trom waste Howslipforf]lingwasusedon a 32m deepbunkerat Colnbrook.
27 Crash barriers Testing concrete barriers ta separate motorway lanes.
28 Floating houses A Dutchsolutionto buildingin flood zones.
30 Block paving
Pavementsthattackleflooding andpollution.
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