High-performance coatings are a necessity when it comes to protecting building exteriors and restoring them after harsh weathering and UV degradation; the right coatings prolong a building exterior’s life span and divert materials from landfills. New PVDF coating systems provide superior protection while satisfying aesthetic and environmental considerations. Their various characteristics and benefits are explored, and application methods are discussed.

The selection of a wall system for a building envelope involves several key considerations. In this course, we evaluate the characteristics of pre-cast concrete, tilt-up concrete panels, insulated concrete forms, lightweight metal frame, pre-insulated masonry, and conventional masonry. We compare the performance of these wall systems on these considerations: (1) cost, (2) resilience, (3) sustainability (particularly global warming potential), (4) energy conservation, and (5) long term operating costs and environmental impacts.

Garages of the 21st century can make significant contributions to project aesthetics, durability and sustainability. Learn the basics of managing cost and schedule, how to design and detail key features, and how to incorporate innovative and proven technical developments - including carbon fiber reinforcement - that contribute to reliable and lasting performance of a precast parking structure.

This overview of concrete floor basics shows participants how to get the most from finished concrete floors. Along the way it discusses levels of finish, hardening-densifying and other aspects of finished concrete flooring not commonly known. The program also shows how to protect and maintain finished concrete flooring. It includes tips for protecting finished floors from damage during building construction.

This course discusses the keys to designing Multi-wythe (Cavity Wall) assemblies using Concrete Masonry, with a focus on moisture control, energy conservation, structural performance and aesthetic options.

Comprehensive site security design should balance managing traffic flow and preventing vehicular intrusion with enhancing the existing character of the site. This course presents FEMA’s guidance on risk assessment and layers of defense, vehicle impact test standards, bollard types, the precast concrete manufacturing process, barrier system design considerations, and incorporating precast concrete bollards and site furnishings into perimeter security design.

With this course, participants will be able to: Describe Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) and its components, identifying how these contribute to a durable, safe, energy-efficient, and sustainable building practices List the financial, environmental, and sustainable benefits of ICF construction and how ICF can contribute to LEED® points earned on a building project Explain how involving engineers and architects early in the design process contributes to a safe, structurally sound, cost-efficient building project Describe the ICF installation process, including two critical elements of field installation.

This session will provide an overview of the practices Heidelberg Materials is implementing in the Seattle area around construction and demolition debris and the production of recycled concrete aggregate. Additionally, Heidelberg Materials will highlight the steps being taken to reduce the carbon intensity of their cement and concrete products. The sustainable and low carbon benefits of these practices and details regarding the production and use of these materials will be explained. The presentation will also provide guidance for optimizing the use of recycled concrete and achieving carbon reductions with concrete, as well as best practices for specifying and procuring these products while meeting performance expectations.

This program is designed to give participants a general overview of building commercial buildings with Insulated Concrete Forms ICF and show the benefits that they can provide during the design and construction phase. The course will also highlight the benefits to the building occupants and owners.

A survey of types and causes of staining common to new masonry construction, with recommendations and guidelines for cleaning and product selection.

Concrete is a foundational building material in every industry – and on every project. Understanding the fundamentals of what concrete is, how it performs, and how to select the right mix for specific project applications is often taken for granted, but is critical to the success of every project. This course will introduce specifiers to the basics of concrete, including its manufacture, specifications, performance and applications. While the course is focused on bagged mixes ideal for small- to medium-sized construction and repairs, the insights will prove invaluable for pros working with large-scale pours like those seen in foundations, footings, columns, precast panels and more.

This fast-paced and informative webcast moves through three modules: 1) How our Engineered Insulation Products help builders solve their biggest problem - a shortage of skilled labor. 2) Graphite Polystyrene (GPS) - what it is and why we use it to make some of our key engineered insulation product lines. 3) Builder Success Stories - real world examples of our Engineered Insulation Products helping builders achieve their goals as they overcome jobsite and building science challenges.

Pre-Cast Concrete assemblies are often the design solution to tight timelines and practical installation. With the addition of insulation and a toolkit of accessories, designers can improve efficiency, quality, and aesthetic often beyond stick-built options. How do you integrate continuous insulation into walls made from a series of panels shipped across the country? Join us to find out! Real-world case studies will be used to compare and contrast with frame construction.

Pre-Cast Concrete assemblies are often the design solution to tight timelines and practical installation. With the addition of insulation and a toolkit of accessories, designers can improve efficiency, quality, and aesthetic often beyond stick-built options. How do you integrate continuous insulation into walls made from a series of panels shipped across the country? Join us to find out! Real-world case studies will be used to compare and contrast with frame construction.

This program is designed to give participants a general overview of building Educational structures with Insulated Concrete Forms ICF and show the benefits that they can provide during the design and construction phase. The course will also show how building with Insulated Concrete Forms will optimize energy performance, saving school boards on energy costs. The program also touches the health benefits that can be gained.

This session will provide an overview of the practices taken by Heidelberg Materials and other heavy building materials suppliers to reduce the carbon intensity of their cement and concrete products. The sustainable and low carbon benefits of these practices and details regarding the production and use of these materials will be explained. The presentation will also provide guidance for optimizing the use of recycled concrete and achieving carbon reductions with concrete, as well as best practices for specifying and procuring these products while meeting performance expectations.

An in-depth examination of the roles masonry walls and concrete floors play in building that improve occupant well-being; environmental performance and economic returns.

Learn about PROSOCO products, tools and resources to support the design, specification, training and implementation phases of your next project. From restoration, retrofit and adaptive reuse to LEED, WELL and Living Building qualifying builds, we have the products and the people to help you realize your vision.

An introduction to air and water-resistive barriers and how they work. The role of air leakage in causing mold in walls and high energy costs is explained. The program includes discussion of the different products on the market. It also explains why contemporary building envelopes need these products now more than ever before.

Large format modular concrete panels (LFMCP) offer a clean, simple to design solution for outdoor kitchens, planter boxes, firepits and more. Because of their size labor time is saved by speed of installation that uses stainless steel hardware. An overview of the outdoor living industry and options, installation, design options and project examples will be reviewed.

Take a journey with us as we look at history and the innovation of stucco and exterior insulated finish systems. Two façade options with varying performance characteristics. We will discuss these variances, energy efficiency considerations, and bust through the barriers and misconceptions.

This course addresses the resilience benefits of constructing buildings with concrete masonry. The course defines common resilience challenges for buildings constructed in the United States, how well different building materials are suited to meet these challenges, and focuses on how concrete masonry can be used as part of a resilient construction strategy.

This presentation will introduce the concept of using interlocking pavers in urban roadways as part of a new trend in American cities to create pathways and streets where pedestrians and vehicles share space. The European concept known as “woonerf” is a design principle that creates or retrofits low-speed roadways by incorporating traffic calming measures to create shared-space streets to reduce traffic speeds and promote the idea of the street as a public space where people can move freely from connected pathways, parking lots and buildings. The presentation addresses how paver systems work and can aid in defining use through creative colors and patterns. Issues related to public access, wheelchair comfort and safety are also addressed. Finally, the program concludes with an update on the latest industry research on the traffic calming benefits of concrete pavers.

Concrete masonry is an effective solution for the ever-changing design environment. Buildings and structures with resilient design and materials are not only better able to withstand and recover following disasters such as hurricanes and tornadoes, products such as concrete and masonry are durable, environmentally friendly and use less embodied energy. This course reviews the quality control practices and procedures of manufactured concrete products. During the virtual plant tour, attendees will follow the steps from the arrival of the aggregates, to the initial mixing stages and then will continue through the facility to demonstrate the final steps of the production process. Moreover, the tour will address the proper manufacturing techniques needed in order to meet the required fire resistance, energy efficiencies and overall sustainable qualities of CMU’s. The tour will ultimately validate how concrete masonry products contribute to the health, safety and welfare of the people.

Mortar used in the installation of commercial masonry projects must meet rigorous standards and precise requirements for use in the field. This presentation will discuss the composition of mortar and detail the different ASTM standards. For the architect and design professional, understanding the nuances of mortar as well ways to conduct a successful field test, is critical to a successful project completion which will help mitigate any potential challenges including water intrusion and wall strength.