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Article questions safety of construction methods and codes following Joplin, Mo., tornado The Kansas City Star Share    
A recent article in The Kansas City Star titled "Experts challenge Home Depot building design, codes after Joplin tornado" takes an in depth look at the structural failure of the Home Depot store in Joplin, Mo., after the EF-5 tornado ravaged the town. Some engineers interviewed by The Star said building codes for big-box stores need to be strengthened, or the stores should have internal storm shelters when they're built. The article also compares the structural performance of the Home Depot to that of the Walmart building located across the street and praises the Walmart for having an interior reinforced block safe area where approximately 200 people safely rode out the storm. More
2011 NCMA Midyear Meeting NCMA Share
Join us Aug. 24 - 28 at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver Hotel in Vancouver, Canada. NCMA and ICPI coordinated their schedules to allow for attendees of both meetings to participate in as many events as possible between the two organizations. To view the most current schedule, please click here. NCMA has reserved a block of rooms, starting at $174 single/double, at the Hyatt Regency Vancouver, situated in downtown Vancouver; you can stroll through Stanley Park, explore the fascinating streets of Chinatown or shop until you drop on Robson Street. For more information on the hotel and information on reservations, please click here. You must have a valid passport or alternate approved travel document to enter or depart the United States. This process can take time, so if you do not have a passport or alternate approved travel document, please apply now so that you are prepared to travel at the time of the meeting. For more information on traveling between the United States and Canada, please click here. Next NCMA Crash Course — Do You Know Your ABCs About Using ACBs? NCMA Share
The next Crash Course will be held at 1 p.m. Aug. 3 EDT. Gabriela Mariscal, NCMA geotechnical engineer will explain the benefits of Articulating Concrete Blocks and how they provide excellent erosion protection when properly designed. The course will also teach designers how to use new ACB design spreadsheet, based on the current ACB design methodologies, to design ACBs and also use the riprap module to compare side-by-side both systems. Cost: $20.00 Register NCMA education NCMA Share
Concrete block construction buttresses school against tornadoes The Anniston Star Share
The Alabama public school system is turning to concrete to buttress its buildings against tornadoes. A July 2010 law mandated that new public schools be built with an Alabama Building Commission-approved safe space or hallway. Clay County's new high school features a "concrete shell." Grout-filled concrete blocks make up the first-floor walls — which are able to withstand winds of 250 mph. More Despite a challenging economy, homeownership still ranks high National Association of Home Builders Share
A recent survey conducted by the National Association of Homebuilders, in conjunction with renowned pollsters, Public Opinion Strategies of Alexandria, Va., and Lake Research Partners of Washington, D.C., found that even with the drop in home values and the recession, homeownership is an essential component of the American dream. More Sustainability E-News The Masonry Society Share
This issue of Sustainability E-News includes information pertaining to all aspects of sustainable building. This issue highlights some of the green measurement tools available as well as other building product news. The Sustainability E-News is published by The Masonry Society. Full issue
National Association of Manufacturers weekly economic report National Association of Manufacturers Share
A number of the manufacturing reports showed rebounds in new orders and production, including the Institute for Supply Management's Purchasing Managers Index. New data on factory orders nationally and manufacturing output in California will probably continue that trend. With this in mind, it's expected that manufacturers resumed hiring in June and will continue to do so over the coming months. In addition, new data on factory orders and manufacturing output in California will be released. More May's higher inflation rate in Canada can only be called 'rude' Reed Construction Data Share
Canada's inflation rate in May rose to the highest level since March 2003, according to Statistics Canada. The year-over-year change in the all-items Consumer Price Index was 3.7-plus percent. April's price advance had been 3.3-plus percent. The latest inflation-rate figure was even higher than during the commodity-induced price binge in mid-2008. Globe oil prices rose to their highest all-time level, U.S. $144 per barrel, in July 2008. More
Life-cycle language inserted into appropriations bill NCMA Share
The U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittee on Financial Services and General Government FY2012 Appropriations bill that was recently approved by the House Appropriations Committee includes life-cycle report language that may ultimately greatly benefit the concrete construction industry. According to Appropriations Committee Staff, this is an unprecedented step and the first time directive Office of Management and Budget language has been included in this appropriations bill. Under this provision, the committee "expects OMB's review and modernization of Circular A-94 to emphasize the importance of incorporating life-cycle cost analysis. Moreover, this analysis should be as accurate, complete and reflective of the real costs and lifespans of materials as possible." The language is comprehensive and applies to all major infrastructure projects and all agencies across the federal government. In addition, a letter from the subcommittee chair, Rep. Jo Ann Emerson, R-Mo., will be sent to the director of OMB urging him to begin this analysis immediately. The legislation will be considered soon by the full House of Represntatives. |
 
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