Cement maker Holcim reports improved quarterly profit
(Zurich, Switzerland) -- Swiss cement giant Holcim reported a slight rise in net profit for the first quarter as demand grew for construction materials in North America, Africa and the Middle East. The world’s number two cement maker behind France’s Lafarge posted a 1.2 percent growth
Indian government investigates alleged favours to Jaiprakash Associates
(India) -- The Himachal Pradesh government is investigating the role of government officials in extending favours to Jaiprakash Associates Ltd. (JAL), which has been penalised by the high court for violating environmental norms. Chief Minister of Himachal Pradesh, Prem Kumar Dhumal, has charged the previous Congress
Experts explore use of concrete in road pavement in Nigeria
In its own presentation, titled Sustainable construction ; the necessity for concrete pavement alternative in Nigeria CMAN stated that flexible pavements are more economical for
Concrete canoes not dead weight in Canada, prove racers
Engineering students from Canadian universities were on Jones Lake in Moncton this weekend in unlikely vessels — canoes made of concrete. Teams from more than 10 universities raced for top honours in the Canadian National Concrete Canoe Competition, organized by the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering and the University of Moncton. Now in its
Development and Recycling of Tilt-up Concrete
Simplicity is the key to tilt-up concrete construction. Panels are cast as near to their final position as possible-the most convenient casting base is most often the concrete floor slab of the building. Wood or steel edge forms are prepared and positioned on the casting base. Reinforcing
Exploring cement-based option for sustainable road construction internationally
(Nigeria)? --? With only 20 percent of the well over 300,000 kilometres of road in Nigeria paved and in good motorable condition, the state of
China’s “instant buildings” to save on energy
As a crane lowered a steel and concrete slab onto support pillars, construction workers swarmed around to bolt it down - a choreography of mad-dash steps against a backdrop of firecrackers, and a sacrificed cow, to herald China’s latest “instant building”. The three-story structure, a workers’
New cement-making method could slash carbon emissions
(Washington, D.C.)? --? The proof-of-concept device concentrates sunlight to break apart limestone
More than 1,000 Indian workers held hostage for taking strike action
(India) -- One thousand-odd youths from Punjab, Haryana and many other states are stranded in Sumbe, Angola, and can't return home as their travel documents have allegedly been confiscated by the multinational company they work for. Uncertainty looms over the labourers' fate, who work in a
Introduction to Rice Husks Applied in Construction
As insulation, they have a number of useful properties. They resist mold and mildew and have very high insulation values. Some historic structures show evidence that earlier societies reused their rice hulls for this purpose, and the trend toward recycling in the 2000s is a
