The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) has transformed the construction industry with its Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) rating system, and the introduction of LEED Zero certification marks a significant step forward in the pursuit of net zero buildings. As climate goals become more aggressive and building owners seek verifiable pathways to carbon […]
Concrete is one of the most versatile construction materials available, capable of taking virtually any shape that its formwork dictates. However, achieving intricate, curved designs with thin cross-sections has historically been challenging due to the material’s weight and the complexity of traditional forming systems. Recent innovations from researchers at ETH Zurich have changed this paradigm
Wood has served as a primary window framing material for centuries, valued for its natural insulation, aesthetic warmth, and structural reliability. But researchers are now asking whether wood itself can become the transparent glazing material as well. A team from the Forest Products Laboratory (FPL), the University of Maryland, and the University of Colorado has
Concrete has served as the backbone of modern construction for centuries, prized for its compressive strength, durability, and affordability. Yet every builder and engineer knows its fatal flaw: concrete is brittle. When forces pull it apart rather than push it together, it cracks, spalls, and eventually fails. This inherent weakness in tensile strength has driven
The construction industry stands at the frontline of climate change, facing both unprecedented challenges and opportunities for innovation. Rising global temperatures, more frequent extreme weather events, and shifting regulatory landscapes are fundamentally altering how buildings are designed, constructed, and operated. For building professionals, understanding how climate change is affecting construction is no longer optional —
Building Information Modeling (BIM) continues to reshape how construction projects are designed, coordinated, and delivered. Recent industry surveys show that contractor BIM adoption rates have climbed steadily over the past five years, with roughly one in three contractors now using BIM on a regular basis. For project owners and construction firms evaluating their technology roadmaps,
Discover how BioMason uses bacteria to grow bricks and biocement at room temperature, cutting CO2 emissions by 85 percent. A deep dive into microbial construction technology.
Winter road maintenance is a persistent challenge for municipalities worldwide, costing billions of dollars annually in snow removal, chemical de-icers, and infrastructure repairs. Salt and chemical treatments, while effective in the short term, accelerate corrosion in vehicles and bridge decks, damage roadside vegetation, and contaminate groundwater. Engineers have long sought a more sustainable, long-term solution,
Cross-laminated timber (CLT) has emerged as one of the most transformative building materials in modern construction, offering a sustainable alternative to concrete and steel while delivering exceptional structural performance. Originally developed in Europe in the 1990s, CLT has gained remarkable traction across North America as architects, engineers, and builders seek lower-carbon solutions that do not
The World Of Concrete What Contractors Need To Know About The Annual Concrete Industry Show stands as the largest annual trade event dedicated to the concrete and masonry construction industry. Held each winter in Las Vegas, Nevada, the show brings together thousands of contractors, suppliers, engineers, and industry professionals from around the globe. For concrete
