Entries by Alison Clack

Is Cleaner Cement Production Possible?

World cement production is growing more rapidly than we thought it would just a few years ago. In 2012, researchers at Columbia University told us they expected production to reach between 3.7 billion and 4.4 billion tonnes by 2010. But with the figures for 2014 now available, we find that world production already totalled 4.3 […]

Zero-net Energy Transit Center

The John W. Olver Transit Center zero-net energy (ZNE) project is a high-performance building designed with reduced energy loads, passive design strategies, maximized efficiency of mechanical and electrical systems, and on-site power generation. Read more

First BONE Structure Set in Saskatoon

The BONE Structure concept was inspired from a combination of LEGO and Meccano — pieces are simply snapped together. The construction includes a lightweight, recycled steel frame, which enables homeowners to have a reconfigurable open-space concept, without intermediate beams or load-bearing walls. Electrical, plumbing, heating and ventilation systems are connected thanks to precut openings acting […]

How Slightly Better Concrete Could Save the Planet

Recent research suggests that when it comes to concrete, we can do better. Several universities and corporations have set up research partnerships to make concrete more sustainable. In 2014, engineers at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology reported that by tweaking the ratio of starting ingredients, they had created cement samples with twice the strength of […]

Preparing Cities for a Changing Climate

Rising sea levels, epic droughts, massive flooding: the effects of climate change are already here. How do we adapt? From the Netherlands to Manhattan’s Lower East Side, this article explores the cutting-edge engineering – and cultural shifts – that could help. Read more

PPO Looks Deeper at Benefit Plans

Prompt Payment Ontario (PPO) is undertaking a survey of multi-employer benefit plans to quantify the cost of damages stemming from delinquent payments, which will form part of the organization’s submission to the Construction Lien Act review. Read more