Lightweight Concrete Masonry
November 16, 2009
Outline
Properties and Benefits of Lightweight Concrete MasonryLightweight Concrete Masonry Markets Market share Lightweight Opportunities
The Future
LW-CMU Properties
Fire rated Energy efficient – higher R value, makes insulation more efficientSound absorption – 2X NW CMUHigh strengthLow shrinkageLow absorptionSharp edges and corners
Benefits of LW CMU
Designer benefitsOwner benefitsMason contractor benefits
Designer Benefits
Fire resistanceHigh strength to weight ratioEnergy efficiencySustainable design
Sustainable Development
Lightweight Concrete Masonry and Green BuildingsLEED Certification with Lightweight CMU LEED Credits can be earned in 3
categories Materials and Resources Energy and Atmosphere Innovation and Design
Owner Benefits
Higher qualityLower installed costLower life-cycle cost
Higher Quality
Better fire resistanceGreater energy-efficiencyMore design flexibility Fewer shear walls More and larger openings
Greater comfort and safety for occupantsIncreased worker productivity
Initial Wall Costs
Heavy Weight SmartWall Systems
Block
Direct Labor
Fixed Labor Overhead
Block Delivery
Total Initial Wall Cost
Paint & Waterproofing
Medium WeightLightweight
Total Life Cycle Wall Costs
Heavy Weight SmartWall Systems
LCC Energy Savings
Total Wall Cost
Structural Efficiency
Improved Fire Resistance
Initial Wall Cost
“Typ.” Lightweight Lightweight
Mason Contractor Benefits
Lighter weightIncreased efficiencyMore production with less effortImproved competitiveness for masonryMore jobs
Why is this man smiling?
Lightweight Concrete Masonry
QualityValueEnergy EfficientFire SafeLabor-friendly
Concrete Masonry Units
ASTM C90Classification
Light-weight
Medium Weight
Normal Weight
Density <105 pcf 105-125
>125 pcf
8X8X1612X8X16
<30 lb<40 lb
32-35 lb44-48 lb
36-38 lb50-54 lb
Productivity vs. Weight
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)
Lower Weight
Benefit – increased efficiencyExample – 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!
Labor Savings
Productivity MeansFaster Completion >> Quicker
OccupancyLower Direct Labor CostsLower Contractor Overhead Costs
Better Ergonomics w/ Lighter UnitsLess Fatigue & Fewer InjuriesLower Workman’s Compensation
Increased Productivity
Does NOT mean working FASTERDOES 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
Improved Competitiveness
Installed wall cost is driven by labor cost 3:1 Labor:block cost
As block weight is reduced, installed cost is reducedSome of the cost saving goes to lower bid pricesLower bids make masonry more competitive vs. other wall systems
More Jobs
Lower bid prices mean more projects for masonryMore projects mean more jobs!
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
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
The Future
For more information...
www.bigriverind.com
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