Stairs are often a prominent feature or even the focal point of an architectural design project and play a vital role in creating an aesthetically pleasing interior atmosphere, or an exterior welcoming point to a residential, commercial, or industrial building. This course provides an overview of the many benefits of installing precast concrete stair treads and landings, how to detail and specify them, and how to address related building code, design, and construction requirements.

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Since ancient times, concrete mixes and carved natural stone have combined to create substance, beauty, and longevity in our architecture. Glass fiber reinforced concrete (GFRC) was created to ensure that the attributes of concrete and stone continue to be enjoyed but with the efficiency in application that is expected in today’s world of design. This course covers the evolution of GFRC, its applications and how it is custom-created, its advantages, and how GFRC compares to other types of architectural concrete.

Few aspects of the design process are conducted in “silos” that are as disassociated from one another as the approach many projects take to interior concrete slab specifications and subsequent flooring specification sections. This is not done intentionally but is rather a by-product of lack of coordination and a fundamental misunderstanding between those involved with the structural elements and those involved with the aesthetic and finishing elements. This presentation discusses sustainability and what it means, drawing the reader into a clear discussion of how sustainability relates to LEED®, lean construction, green building, and process improvement. Inconsistencies are exposed between the tenets of sustainability and current specification processes related to concrete moisture, with clear recommendations given as to how the specifying professional can resolve those disconnects.

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Falls are responsible for more open wounds, fractures, and brain injuries than any other cause of injury. Photoluminescent (PL) exit path markers have proven to provide safe and quick egress in all light conditions for occupants and fail-safe guidance to first responders entering unfamiliar surroundings in the event of an emergency. This course discusses the benefits of PL safety products and the codes and testing standards related to PL way-finding systems.

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Fluid-applied resinous coatings have the ability to meet the performance demands of spaces as varied as aircraft hangars, surgical suites, and high-end restaurants. Selecting the proper coating type that meets all project needs calls for an understanding of coating components, substrate requirements, and the wide variety of performance characteristics of each type. This course introduces high-performance resinous coatings, providing you with the information to be able to make an informed selection to best meet clients’ needs and expectations for durability, safety, hygiene, and aesthetics.

Building materials and construction account for approximately 11% of annual global CO₂ emissions. In order to shrink the carbon footprint of new buildings, embodied carbon must be reduced. This course presents an overview of global emissions challenges, reviews the carbon reduction goals of green building programs, and discusses how the cement and concrete industry can use innovative CO₂ mineralization technology to reduce embodied carbon while increasing performance.

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Critical to concrete waterproofing are the products used in combination to create a system that ensures complete control of moisture migration. Presented here are effective concrete waterproofing technologies and how they improve the durability and lifespan of structures. Discussions include water penetration, system selection, membrane protection, and cementitious waterproofing.

Building systems can be enhanced by incorporating reflective insulation or radiant barriers into the building envelope. With effective insulation, heat transfer is reduced, resulting in less summer heat gain, and less winter heat loss. This course explains common and effective uses for reflective insulation and radiant barriers in a wide range of construction and building applications and demonstrates how these systems reduce energy usage, increase the lifespan of the mechanical equipment for heating and cooling, and reduce maintenance requirements and frequency of replacement.

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ICF construction is cost effective and sustainable, and is a superior way to build stronger, quieter, healthier, and more energy-efficient commercial structures. This course explores insulated concrete form (ICF) construction, describing the forms themselves and their construction, performance, and sustainable benefits. Also presented are design guidelines, the installation process, flooring systems, and commercial project applications.

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Floor coating systems are designed to protect surfaces in many different service environments. A coating's ability to increase durability, mitigate abrasion, and utilize antislip properties to improve occupant safety is critical in today's building climate. This course reviews coating system basics, including surface preparation and proper installation techniques. Selection criteria for floor coating systems in various applications are also discussed.

Typically specified for pavements because of its strength, durability, and life-cycle value, concrete is increasingly being specified for a variety of exterior and interior projects because of its aesthetic potential. This course explores colored concrete including coloring methods, pigments, color consistency, and maintenance. It examines the specification considerations of cast-in-place and precast concrete and looks at a range of interior applications and concrete finishes.

It is an expectation that today’s buildings have to be more than just aesthetically pleasing: they have to provide measurable environmental benefits. This course outlines how insulated concrete forms (ICFs) help meet sustainable design objectives and examines the advantages that ICFs and ICF technology have over conventional construction materials for building envelopes in all building types.

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Color is often used functionally across many design elements; this can also be done with concrete by simply dosing standard concrete mix designs with pigment. Using pigment, concrete can be transformed from a plain, common material into a beautiful, sustainable, and enduring building element. Adding pigments to concrete elevates a project's quality and impact. This course presents basic knowledge of how concrete pigments are manufactured and how they are measured and dispensed to produce the desired color hue and intensity capable of elevating a project to the next level.

Concrete is one of the most widely used building materials throughout the world, and as such, it is in everyone’s best interest to consider more sustainable options. This course provides an overview of the properties of slag cement. Discussion topics include benefits, effects on plastics and hardened concrete, environmental profile including life cycle analysis (LCA) and environmental product declarations (EPDs), and various slag cement applications.

There is a growing realization that the buildings we live and work in play an important role in the health and wellbeing of building occupants. Green building rating systems are starting to incorporate health and wellbeing criteria and this course will look specifically at how products and materials can help meet the health and wellbeing requirements across these systems.

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Water intrusion creates a variety of problems for masonry structures, including freeze-thaw damage, chemical- and pollution-based attacks, efflorescence, calcium carbonate stains, and mold. This course reviews the application and specification considerations related to water repellents and how they can help to prevent these problems.

Concrete is a popular, versatile, and durable construction material, and it has the potential to be very beautiful as well. Graphically imaged precast concrete is a creative, inspiring technology that can be used by architects and designers to create visually impactful building façades and other concrete surfaces. Discussed are the fabrication process, design possibilities, and budgeting considerations. Global case studies present a range of applications of both stock and unique designs.

Segmented pavers have been successfully used for roads, courtyards, and paths for hundreds of years. Durability of materials being one of the key reasons for their lasting popularity. These days modern pavers offer up a wide variety of newer performance capabilities and finishes. In this course, we’ll take a look at the unique technologies of segmental concrete paver systems, the types, finishes, and their design considerations.

Provides an overview of the noise issues associated with floor/ceiling assemblies of multi-family dwellings, as well as the factors that affect acoustical performance. Also presented is a review of the acoustical solutions that are available with a focus on sound mats with poured underlayment (SMPU) systems.

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Detectable warning surfaces are surfaces designed to warn the visually impaired of hazards in the path of travel. The Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) and Architectural Barriers Act (ABA) accessibility guidelines require detectable warning surfaces at public rights-of-way locations. The state of California is a leader in its requirements for detectable warning surfaces. This course introduces the current guidelines and regulations regarding detectable warning surfaces, as well as the different types of surface systems and installation methods.

Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world, second only to water. Over time, as a result of the build-up of atmospheric compounds in the surrounding environment, concrete will become discolored, stained, dirty, and dingy. This course examines photocatalytic technology which accelerates self-cleaning and fights air pollution while maintaining the mechanical and physical properties of traditional concrete.

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Moisture infiltration through a building envelope can cause widespread damage to building elements and construction materials. In some cases, it can threaten or destroy a building’s structural integrity. The components of today’s waterproofing systems for above- and below-grade floors and walls or plaza decks are designed to work together to provide tight, durable, and complete protection against not just water but also all other environmental contaminants. This course discusses the fundamentals of waterproofing design, the types of materials used, and the considerations for selecting a waterproofing system to meet the requirements of a building project.

Concrete is often the substrate for both new and existing floors. Transforming the surface into a finished floor is far more sustainable than consuming additional flooring materials, adhesives, and transportation-related energy to install a floor covering. This course discusses the stages and options of the concrete polishing process, recognizes benefits of recent advances in concrete densification chemistry, and provides an overview of the limitations and possibilities for concrete floor finishes.

The materials we use have a significant impact on the environment, our communities, and our health. Consequently, material transparency—wherein manufacturers disclose vital sustainability information about their products—is an increasingly necessary element of modern life. This course examines the tools and resources that are available for both manufacturers and the A&D community that effectively communicate transparency information and optimization of building products. Also reviewed are the benefits of the new-generation insulated metal panels (IMPs) designed to achieve a trusted range of health and wellness certifications.

Although known for being a strong and versatile building material, there are a number of factors that affect the sustainability of concrete, and a variety of measures that can be taken to increase its durability and extend its service life, thus protecting the health, safety, and welfare of the users. This course discusses the environmental impact of concrete and some of the main causes of concrete deterioration, and examines how crystalline waterproofing technology can be employed to increase the durability and sustainability of concrete.

 This course is part of one or more "Course Collections". Click here to view the details...