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Lightweight Concrete Masonry: Properties, Benefits, and Future Opportunities

This document outlines the properties and benefits of lightweight concrete masonry (LW-CMU) including fire resistance, energy efficiency, and high strength. It discusses the benefits for designers, owners, and mason contractors, as well as the future prospects and opportunities for LW-CMU in the market. The text emphasizes how LW-CMU offers higher quality, lower costs, sustainability, and productivity advantages. Learn about the benefits of LW-CMU in sustainable development, LEED certification, and improved competitiveness in the construction industry.

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Lightweight Concrete Masonry: Properties, Benefits, and Future Opportunities

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  1. Lightweight Concrete Masonry November 16, 2009

  2. Outline • Properties and Benefits of Lightweight Concrete Masonry • Lightweight Concrete Masonry Markets • Market share • Lightweight Opportunities • The Future

  3. LW-CMU Properties • Fire rated • Energy efficient – higher R value, makes insulation more efficient • Sound absorption – 2X NW CMU • High strength • Low shrinkage • Low absorption • Sharp edges and corners

  4. Benefits of LW CMU • Designer benefits • Owner benefits • Mason contractor benefits

  5. Designer Benefits • Fire resistance • High strength to weight ratio • Energy efficiency • Sustainable design

  6. Sustainable Development • Lightweight Concrete Masonry and Green Buildings • LEED Certification with Lightweight CMU • LEED Credits can be earned in 3 categories • Materials and Resources • Energy and Atmosphere • Innovation and Design

  7. Owner Benefits • Higher quality • Lower installed cost • Lower life-cycle cost

  8. Higher Quality • Better fire resistance • Greater energy-efficiency • More design flexibility • Fewer shear walls • More and larger openings • Greater comfort and safety for occupants • Increased worker productivity

  9. Initial Wall Costs Lightweight Medium Weight

  10. Total Life Cycle Wall Costs “Typ.” Lightweight Lightweight

  11. Mason Contractor Benefits • Lighter weight • Increased efficiency • More production with less effort • Improved competitiveness for masonry • More jobs

  12. Why is this man smiling?

  13. Lightweight Concrete Masonry • Quality • Value • Energy Efficient • Fire Safe • Labor-friendly

  14. Concrete Masonry Units

  15. Productivity vs. Weight

  16. Lower Weight • Benefit – less effort • Example – 200 units/day • MW (32 lb) - 6400 lb. • LW (27 lb) - 5400 lb. (1000 lb. less / day) (16% reduction)

  17. Lower Weight • Benefit – increased efficiency • Example – 200 units/day + 15% increase, or 230 units/day • MW - 6400 lb. (@ 200 units/day) • LW - 6210 lb. (190 lb. less / day) (3% reduction) • More production with less effort!

  18. Labor Savings • Productivity Means • Faster Completion >> Quicker Occupancy • Lower Direct Labor Costs • Lower Contractor Overhead Costs • Better Ergonomics w/ Lighter Units • Less Fatigue & Fewer Injuries • Lower Workman’s Compensation

  19. Increased Productivity • Does NOT mean working FASTER • DOES mean less fatigue permits the mason to maintain his/her NORMAL pace longer • Result: More production with less effort • Benefits are even more significant with 10-inch and 12-inch units

  20. Improved Competitiveness • Installed wall cost is driven by labor cost • 3:1 Labor:block cost • As block weight is reduced, installed cost is reduced • Some of the cost saving goes to lower bid prices • Lower bids make masonry more competitive vs. other wall systems

  21. More Jobs • Lower bid prices mean more projects for masonry • More projects mean more jobs!

  22. Opportunities • Mason Contractors • Will recognize productivity benefits • Will recognize safety benefits • Examples • Minneapolis, MN • Atlanta, GA • Lansing, MI • Should reflect reality in bids and Wall Cost Guides

  23. Opportunities • Architects • Will specify lightweight to get the benefits • Will allow lightweight substitution • Will look for promised cost savings • Examples • Minneapolis, MN • Atlanta, GA • Lansing, MI

  24. The Future

  25. For more information... www.bigriverind.com

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