"New Developments in Concrete Construction," by C.C. Sullivan and Barbara Horwitz-Bennett, Building Design + Construction, January 2012
Concrete has long been a reliable building material for commercial and institutional projects. Yet recent trends, including the growth in hospitality and urban rental projects starts, as well as mixed-use towers and transit-oriented developments (TODs), have made concrete an even more valuable structural solution.
A number of macro-level changes in the building industry have added impetus to specifiers and contractors who regularly work with concrete. One is the emergence of sustainability certifications and green building codes that make concrete an even better material choice than in the past. The second is the use of technology to enhance concrete system designs and enhance their constructability or longevity. Third, better concrete mixes and finishing techniques are creating new uses for the material.
Fourth, new techniques for forming and pouring concrete -- in concert with these unique mixes and finishes -- are making inroads on job sites around the country. They add such benefits as cost effectiveness and enhanced durability to a material that is already known for both of these qualities.