Experts

Brief  In this article, ACI Fellow Kim Basham outlines best practices for evaluating cracks in concrete before designing or conducting repairs. Critical evaluation factors include crack width, dormancy and reinforcement materials.   Insight Cracks may represent...

Brief  Researchers in Italy say they have improved the performance of concrete by replacing 5% of the cement with recycled concrete powder. They also found concrete with 75% recycled materials also displayed good mechanical performance, durability and water...

Brief Crews used 3,726 prefabricated concrete modular units to cut nine months off the construction time for an apartment building in Hong Kong, according to study at the University of Hong Kong. Building authorities in Hong Kong hope to use the method for additional...

Brief  industry, but data management poses a challenge, writes Bill Vellante of Infor. Vellante reviews seven steps toward better management, beginning with leveraging technology that quickly sorts through data and identifies items for immediate action.   Insight...

Brief Researchers at Purdue University are testing a robotic system with an end effector that lets construction materials be placed and fastened in the same operation with the same arm. The system relies on computer vision algorithms to detect building elements and...

Brief Sensors, advanced filtration technology and preventive maintenance can help buildings address health concerns during the COVID-19 pandemic and beyond, Tim King and Ray Mans write. Sensors and analytics can be used to monitor building occupancy, provide contact...

Brief The nearly instantaneous speeds offered by 5G technology can be transformative for construction sites, offering real-time, cable-free digital connections and access to highly data-intensive applications. Cradlepoint's James Bristow explores how Taylor...

Brief An engineer must take into account when choosing between balanced concrete, under-reinforced concrete or over-reinforced concrete for a beam to support a building. "In most circumstances, under-reinforced section concrete beams are generally preferred to either...

Brief Construction firms will focus on standardizing prefabrication materials and processes as builds become more complex in 2021, Kenny Ingram writes. Other trends to watch include a growing emphasis on total asset lifecycle responsibility and the use of enterprise...