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
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
When French artist Benedetto Bufalino covered a standard concrete mixer truck in mirrored tiles and turned it into a disco ball on wheels, the construction world stopped to smile. The sight of a spinning concrete drum reflecting beams of light across a jobsite was not just a viral video moment. It was a reminder of
Hot weather presents serious challenges for concrete contractors. When ambient temperatures climb above 77 degrees Fahrenheit, concrete behavior changes in ways that affect workability, strength, and long-term durability. The Portland Cement Association notes that for every 20 degrees Fahrenheit increase in ambient temperature, curing time can be reduced by as much as half, putting crews
On June 26, 2017, just before 11 am, firefighters rushed to an under-construction residential building in Queens, New York after concrete scaffolding and formwork collapsed during a wet concrete pour. Six workers were injured in what became one of the most discussed construction safety incidents that year. This event underscores the critical importance of formwork
In September 2016, demolition engineers achieved a historic milestone: the controlled implosion of an 801-foot concrete chimney, the tallest ever demolished by explosives on British soil. The Grain Power Station chimney in Kent weighed 44,000 tons and had stood as a coastal landmark since 1979. When the power station shut down in 2012, the tower
