Advances in cement

Excellent article today in the New York Times about technological advances in cement production and use in concrete. Of course, concrete reinforcing has also been advancing with the use of carbon fiber grid.

Carbon accounting methods

Here's a good article from Architectural Record about efforts to "place more emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and mitigating global warming" in the various building rating systems worldwide. A unified worldwide standard is not imminent, but the cooperation will likely lead to some consistency in objectives, measurement and language.

Innovative precast research

Dr. Sami Rizkalla -- one of the technical advisors to AltusGroup -- is heavily involved with precast concrete research. A release from North Carolina State University explains spandrel designs that use less reinforcing steel. In coming weeks, Dr. Rizkalla will conduct research for AltusGroup on a new wall panel design that will offer additional insulation properties in a strong but lightweight configuration.