The Mount Vernon, IA-based Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) is inviting project submissions to be considered for a new Top 10 list highlighting the "Most Recycled Concrete content" on a project.
The list was initiated in response to the market's interest in sustainable solutions. "The use of tilt-up concrete goes a long way in achieving sustainability, thanks in large part to its durability," says Jim Baty, TCA's technical director. "Structures built with concrete tend to last two to three times longer than buildings constructed with other common building materials. In addition, the same qualities that make concrete a viable green material, such as thermal mass and reflectivity, also help make concrete structures sustainable by providing constant energy efficiency throughout the building's life-cycle."
According to Baty, buildings seeking LEED certification can benefit greatly from the material and resource opportunities afforded by tilt-up construction, particularly when it's used in conjunction with recycled-content concrete. Materials such as reinforcing steel bars and concrete mixtures containing fly ash, ground granulated blast-furnace slag (GGBF), or possibly silica fume, aid in certification, as does the use of materials that are produced within a 500-mile radius from the building.
Such was the case for the Enterprise Park project in Denver, which currently tops the list as the greatest use of recycled aggregates for a tilt-up structure, with 2,305 tons of recycled content used in the wall and foundation mixes. The 441,000-square-foot office park project is part of the redevelopment of Denver's former Stapleton Intl. Airport, and the recycled aggregates used were drawn from 6.5 million tons of material that once comprised the airport's runways. Not only did the proximity of the recycled material give the project an extra environmental boost toward LEED certification, but it also helped keep costs low. In addition, the use of recycled material allowed the concrete admixtures to be tailored to the needs of each part of the project. The foundation mix for the Enterprise Park project incorporated 620 tons of recycled aggregate and 115 tons of fly ash, while the tilt-up walls featured 1,570 tons of recycled aggregate.
The completed Stapleton Enterprise Park will house three industrial-office buildings with office, showroom, research, assembly, and warehouse space, featuring 10-foot-tall glass windows and a host of energy-efficient features. The office park is conveniently located with access to the city's major transportation sites and corridors, including Interstates 70 and 25, and the Denver Intl. Airport.
Those interested in their project being considered for the TCA's Top 10 list highlighting the "Most Recycled Concrete content" on a project should contact Baty at [email protected] or call TCA at (319) 895-6911.
For more information about the TCA, visit www.tilt-up.org, call 319-895-6911 or e-mail [email protected].
