All Things Concrete

Checkout our latest blog content

Mixer Trucks

July 22, 2021

XPrize Winners Focus on Concrete & Carbon Removal

In 2015, XPrize announced a five-year, $20 million carbon removal competition. It sought to spur innovative technologies that reduce atmospheric carbon. In April, 2021, XPrize announced two winners. CarbonBuilt and CarbonCure would split the $15 million first place money. Semifinalists shared in the remaining $5 million.

King Res 1 1

July 08, 2021

ICF Homes: Antidote to Rising Lumber Prices

Soaring lumber prices drive new interest in insulated concrete form (ICF) construction. architects and designers take a closer look at ICFs for residential construction. They specify ICFs for below-grade foundations, above-grade exterior walls and interior walls.

Slide bg

June 24, 2021

Omnibus Spending Bill a Boon to Carbon Capture

More than a decade ago, the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act gave a boost to wind and solar. Now, relevant provisions of the 2020 Omnibus Spending Bill may help to do the same for carbon capture.

Image11

June 10, 2021

House of Tomorrow: Concrete’s Low Carbon Potential

Two decades into the 21st century, almost everyone in the construction industry looks for ways to be more sustainable. Demonstration projects focus attention on what is possible. One example is a new low-carbon "House of Tomorrow" in France. This project shows how to reduce carbon emissions throughout the structure’s lifecycle.

Pic 4

May 27, 2021

LC3 Concrete: A More Sustainable Alternative

LC3 is a low-carbon alternative to ordinary Portland cement (OPC). It is also an increasingly practical option. In LC3, calcined clay (CC) and limestone reduce the reliance on energy-intensive clinker.

Shikellamy MS 3

May 13, 2021

ICF Schools Win Accolades in 2021

School districts have chosen ICF construction for more than two decades. They look to insulated concrete forms for energy savings, resilience and more. Now, two ICF school projects are among the recipients of the 2021 ICF Builder Awards. They are Granbury High School in Texas and Roy Junior High School in Utah.

Pictures 027

April 29, 2021

ICFs and Residential Real Estate: Recent Projects

Residential projects remain a large part of the ICF global market. In 2018, residential construction accounted for 64.3 percent of total ICF revenue.

IMG 8690

April 15, 2021

Performance of Recycled Concrete Aggregates: A New Study

It is a basic axiom of environmental stewardship. When possible, use old stuff to make new stuff. The same is true with concrete aggregates. Mixes are more sustainable when recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) replaces natural aggregates, at least to a degree.

View from east side of 7th street bridge w800 h600

April 01, 2021

Concrete and Carbon Capture: Latest Developments

Since 1990, global concrete industry emissions are down 19.2 percent per ton. This is according to the Global Cement and Concrete Association. Its 2050 “Climate Ambition” seeks carbon-neutral concrete.

Clearview Full front elevation

March 18, 2021

More School Districts Eye ICF Construction

ICF schools deliver a unique combination of structural strength and construction efficiency. Exterior ICF walls deliver code-compliant drainage planes and air sealing. They save copious amounts of energy via continuous insulation, thermal mass and no thermal bridging. ICFs are also fire resistant and mold resistant. As if all that is not enough, ICFs minimize sound transmission as well.

Adobe Stock 465164163

PACA's Online e-Learning Center

The program is delivered in one (1) module and it should take approximately 30 minutes to complete.  You will receive a certificate of completion once you pass the quiz. The bookmarking feature will allow you to leave the course and resume where you left off when you return.

The Pennsylvania Aggregates and Concrete Association (PACA) is the industry’s unified voice, representing more than 200 member companies across the state.