photos by Apex Drone Photography

 

 

It sits across the street from 10 Degrees, a 135-metre-tall building also designed by HTA Design that previously claimed the title of tallest modular housing scheme.

HTA Design worked with developer Tide to complete the project and it was built from 1,725 volumetric modular units that were placed around a concrete core and above a concrete foundation.

HTA Design aimed to create a building that utilised modular construction, but has an appearance that was built on Croydon’s architectural heritage.

“The main concept for College Road is to take Croydon’s iconic mid-century modern heritage and reinvent it for 21st-century city living, using world leading volumetric technology and new housing typologies to address London’s housing shortage,” HTA Design partner Simon Toplis told Dezeen.

The shorter tower contains 120 affordable homes, while the taller one has 817 rental apartments and amenity spaces, including a podcast studio, spa with a sauna and steam room, gym, coworking space and a sky garden on the rooftop.

HTA collaborated with Tigg + Coll Architects on the interior design of College Road’s studio and one-bedroom apartments.

 

 

“College Road is the product of extensive research into successful models for high-density shared living and was the first project to be approved under the Greater London Authority’s co-living asset class policy,” said HTA Design managing director Simon Bayliss.

“Every aspect of the development was designed to offer residents the most liveable private space, while also having the free enjoyment of truly fantastic communal facilities.”

Source: Dezeen

© Luleå University of Technology and the Application of FRCM: © University of Nottingham

 

Researchers from the University of Nottingham are collaborating with Luleå University of Technology in Sweden for the first time, on a project that aims to improve the resilience of the world’s bridges – making them safer and more sustainable as traffic levels rise.

The recent 26-month closure of Hammersmith Bridge due to concerns about cracking in the infrastructure, as well as the ongoing RAAC concrete crisis demonstrate that much of the UK’s current infrastructure is nearing, or has exceeded, its expected design life. With temperatures soaring due to climate change, and traffic levels gradually rising again post-pandemic, the speed of this deterioration is only increasing.

When it comes to bridges, it’s not economically or environmentally possible to simply replace them, meaning the only viable solution is to repair and strengthen them. In the UK alone, the cost of repairing bridges due to corrosion damage is estimated to cost millions of pounds.

Non-corrosive Fibre-Reinforced Polymer (FRP) composites are excellent strengthening systems for corrosion-damaged concrete structures, but they come with their own drawbacks, such as high price, high environmental impact due to resin use, and poor fire resistance. As a result, a new generation of composites has been developed – Fibre-Reinforced Cementitious Mortar (FRCM). FRCMs are compatible with concrete, breathable, resistant to fire, applicable on wet surfaces, sustainable, reversible, low carbon, and cost-effective – being at least 30% cheaper than FRPs.

The main goal of the Climate Adaptation for REsilient Bridges (CARE) project is to find durable and sustainable solutions by investigating how different temperatures and accumulated damage caused by repeated load cycles affect the performance of FRCM composites when used in bridge strengthening.

Dr Georgia Thermou, Assistant Professor in Structural Engineering at the University of Nottingham, said:

“Although experimental evidence has demonstrated the efficiency of FRCMs when it comes to improving undamaged structures, it has not been tested on more complex structural systems with accumulated damage or that have been subject to seasonal temperature changes.

“Our experiments and simulations will generate new knowledge, which will benefit the construction and composites industries by providing a sustainable solution for strengthening bridges and creating a new market for composites respectively. Additionally, it will greatly benefit society by providing safe and sustainable infrastructure that will contribute towards a greener economy and, crucially, minimise bridge closures or even failures.”

The CARE project has been funded by the Royal Society as part of its International Exchanges scheme, which allows scientists across the UK to collaborate with leading institutions overseas.

Professor Gabriel Sas, Head of Subject at Department of Civil, Environmental and Natural Resources Engineering at Luleå University of Technology, said:

“Collaboration across borders is essential for tackling the global challenges we face in infrastructure and sustainability. This partnership with the University of Nottingham allows us to combine our expertise in structural engineering and material science to develop innovative solutions for bridge resilience.”

Dr Jaime Gonzalez-Libreros, Associate Senior Lecturer at Luleå University of Technology, who will be collaborating closely with Prof. Sas and Dr. Thermou in the project, added:

“Our aim is not just to extend the lifespan of existing structures but to do so in a way that is economically viable and environmentally responsible. This project is a step forward in creating a sustainable future for our communities.”

Dr Thermou added:

“Being able to establish connections and collaborate with other leading universities across the world is crucial when it comes to sharing knowledge and finding solutions that multiple countries can benefit from, so I’m looking forward to working with Professor Sas and his research group to see what we can learn together over the next two years. I would also like to acknowledge Royal Society for supporting this effort and enabling the project to take place.”

Building the Future: The Crucial Role of Structured Cabling in Modern Construction Access Points

In today’s rapidly evolving world of technology and connectivity, the infrastructure that underpins our modern constructions plays a pivotal role in shaping the future. However, it’s not just large smart cities and data centers reaping the benefits. Right here in Florida, structured cabling is transforming buildings of all sizes and enabling the digital demands of the future.

The global momentum towards hyper-connectivity and smart capabilities has raised expectations for modern buildings to seamlessly incorporate the latest technologies. Structured cabling provides the ideal foundation, allowing innovations to be smoothly integrated today and accommodating next-gen demands down the line. In this article, let’s explore the crucial role of structured cabling in modern construction access points.

The Evolution of Structured Cabling in Modern Construction

The construction industry has come a long way from the days of traditional, disorganized wiring methods. Structured cabling is the design and installation of an end-to-end cabling system that provides a comprehensive telecommunications infrastructure. This neat, orderly approach maximizes efficiency and minimizes errors.

With the structured cabling market size projected to double by 2029, reaching USD 21.48 billion, it’s evident that this technology is not just a passing trend. Its integration into the very fabric of our urban landscapes, particularly in the realm of smart cities, is a testament to its transformative power.

Here in Florida, structured cabling Fort Lauderdale has become a staple in modern construction projects, enabling buildings to fulfill the connectivity needs of today while readily adapting to the demands of tomorrow. The numerous benefits of structured cabling such as easy management, flexibility, redundancy, and future-proofing, highlight why this infrastructure is crucial for buildings across sectors.

Additionally, as per MarketsandMarkets, the global structured cabling market exhibited robust growth of 22% in 2022 to reach USD 13.24 billion, up from USD 10.85 billion in 2021. This upward trajectory is expected to continue with a projected CAGR of 9.2% from 2022 to 2029, indicating the rising prominence of structured cabling in modern construction and infrastructure projects worldwide.

The Integration of Structured Cabling in Smart Cities

Smart cities aim to improve infrastructure through digital transformation and connectivity. Structured cabling is pivotal in making this vision a reality across urban spaces.

For instance, in November 2021, the Indian government announced a massive investment of around USD 700 billion for smart city projects over the next decade. Structured cabling will be fundamental in supporting the IT infrastructure and offering seamless 5G, Wi-Fi 6, and IoT capabilities that are hallmarks of smart cities.

Additionally, in July 2022, the Thailand government planned to build USD 37 billion worth of smart cities near Bangkok. Global investments will flow into these futuristic landscapes, enabled by high-performance structured cabling systems meeting the demands of sustainability, mobility, and technology.

As urban areas continue to evolve, structured cabling will underpin their efforts to become more connected, responsive, and technologically advanced.

The Impact of Structured Cabling on Data Centers 

Data centers are the core hubs facilitating our digital world. Structured cabling is crucial in effectively meeting the connectivity and transmission needs of these mission-critical facilities.

The COVID-19 pandemic necessitated investments in stronger IT and telecom infrastructure worldwide. This resulted in an enormous demand for high-quality cabling.

In 2021, approximately 7.2 million data centers were established globally to meet rising digital requirements. Structured cabling enables seamless management and maintenance of the complex wiring in data centers. It also minimizes disruptions and enhances security.

This pie chart illustrates the breakdown of the global structured cabling market in 2021 based on application segments. Data centers hold the largest share at 24% of the total market, underlining their immense dependency on structured cabling for their communication networks and infrastructure.

LAN networks account for 22% market share, while wireless networks make up 18%. The remaining 36% share is attributed to other applications such as building automation, factory automation, and infrastructure for smart cities.

This chart clearly depicts how data centers are currently the biggest adopters of structured cabling solutions, followed by enterprise and telecom network applications. As data center construction booms worldwide, their share of the structured cabling market will continue to grow in the coming years. However, 5G and Wi-Fi 6 deployments will also necessitate advanced structured cabling systems, thereby increasing the share of wireless networks.

The Future of Structured Cabling: 5G and Beyond 

Connectivity needs are continuously evolving, and structured cabling solutions are keeping pace. The rising prominence of 5G and Wi-Fi 6 is creating colossal demand for cabling that can support fast, reliable wireless transmission across networks.

With 5G deployments growing globally, structured cabling systems are being enhanced to handle the massive bandwidth and ultra-low latency required. Solutions like shielded cabling, fiber optic cables, Category 6 and 6A cabling are emerging to address these needs.

As digital transformation accelerates worldwide, our cabling infrastructure must continuously evolve to support emerging demands. Structured cabling is the key to building future-ready networks and construction access points.

Frequently Asked Questions 

Why is structured cabling important?

A well-designed and perfectly installed structured cabling system provides a robust infrastructure that offers flexibility, maximizes system availability, ensures redundancy, and future-proofs the usability of the cabling system.

What is a structured cabling system?

Structured cabling is the design and installation of a cabling system that caters to modern and future cabling needs, ensuring that future hardware requirements are supported.

How does structured cabling work?

In a structured cabling system, patch panels and trunks are utilized to create a structure that allows hardware ports to connect to a patch panel at the top of a rack.

Final Thoughts

It’s evident that structured cabling is fundamentally transforming modern construction landscapes ranging from smart cities to data centers. With substantial investments and growth across the world, structured cabling will be integral to fulfilling the connectivity needs of tomorrow.

By taking an organized, forward-thinking approach, structured cabling minimizes errors, enhances efficiency, and ensures that our construction access points are ready for what the future brings. The incredible innovations on the horizon will all rely on the backbone provided by structured cabling solutions.

 

Source: Film Daily

 

 

Challenges from skills shortages around the globe, high levels of inflation and poor productivity has left the construction industry seeking new solutions and ways of working. Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) is a tool that, with the right consideration and intent, could help solve these delivery challenges.

Through the application of manufacturing processes and procedures, that challenge the traditional approach, a better balance can be achieved with greater standardisation and, where necessary, customisation to meet the specific unique requirements. By curating the ‘right mix’ of MMC, adopted with appropriate measurement frameworks, targeted benefits can be delivered to the ultimate customer.

Identification of this beneficiary will allow specific challenges to be mapped against MMC options to define a clear MMC strategy for clients.

This paper offers a framework for clients to evaluate and determine that right mix, with a common language that binds the adoption of MMC under an agreed set of principles and procedures. Through this delivery strategy, clients are better suited to ensure achievable target benefits following the implementation of their complex, capital programmes.

 

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD THE REPORT

Learn how crusher buckets are establishing the way for a more sustainable future in construction.

Introduction

A crusher bucket is a wonder of contemporary engineering and ground-breaking development in the realm of construction and excavation machinery. This ground-breaking attachment is intended to fundamentally alter how we handle crushing and recycling chores at construction sites. A crusher bucket enables construction professionals to easily convert vast amounts of inert materials into useful resources by combining smoothly with heavy equipment, such as excavators or loaders.

Its precisely constructed construction and robust design enable effective crushing and screening of various materials, from rocks and rubbish to concrete and asphalt. The crusher bucket is a symbol of technical advancement and environmentally friendly building methods at a time when sustainability and resource preservation are crucial. We will go into great detail about the crusher bucket in this article. Continue reading for more information!

How Does an Excavator Crusher Bucket Work?

Excavator crusher buckets are cutting-edge attachments for excavators, loaders, and crushers that serve as dedicated tools for recycling and garbage disposal. This modular equipment is created to crush efficiently and sort materials at construction and excavation locations. Its primary role is to reduce large bits of trash, boulders, or concrete into more satisfactory sizes for disposal or recycling. The excavator crusher bucket streamlines demolition techniques, minimizes waste, and crushes various materials, including concrete, asphalt, and natural stones, to enable sustainable building operations. It is crucial for advancing economical, effective, and environmentally responsible construction methods.

Why Is a Bucket Crusher Used?

A bucket crusher is a specialized attachment that is used with heavy equipment like excavators and loaders, that is widely used in the mining, construction, and demolition sectors. Its preliminary purpose is to concentrate and crush huge amounts of waste, including concrete, boulders, bricks, and other materials, into smaller, more manageable pieces. This process makes it more comfortable to dispose of, recycle, or reuse items, which decreases waste and operating costs. Because they speed up the material processing operation and improve job site productivity, bucket crushers are necessary tools for many applications, including area clearance, road building, and foundation work. They now play an important part in regular ways of demolition and building, which promote sustainability and aid in conservation.

What does a Bucket Crusher for an Excavator do?

Using a specialized accessory called a bucket crusher, excavators may be converted into efficient crushing machines. It is designed to effectively crush and treat a variety of materials at the building or demolition site, including garbage, rocks, and concrete. This attachment’s initial goal is to reduce bulky materials into smaller, more manageable bits so that they may be disposed of, recycled, or used for another purpose. This versatile instrument finds use in a variety of industries, such as construction, demolition, road building, and mining, where it significantly boosts productivity, lowers transportation costs, and encourages eco-friendly practices by reducing waste.

What is Bucket Rock Crusher’s Mechanism of Functioning?

A bucket rock crusher is a specialized add-on intended for large equipment like excavators and loaders, which is mostly employed in the mining and construction industries. Its main function is to smash large rocks and stones right where the activity is being done. With the help of this sturdy attachment, huge, cumbersome pebbles may be effectively reduced to smaller, more manageable sizes. Bucket rock crushers are widely utilized in projects including road building, excavation, quarrying, and landscaping. They speed up operations by doing away with the need to transport materials to distant crushing facilities, saving money and time while also making it easier to reuse or recycle usable materials in an environmentally sound manner.

Excavator Rock Crusher Bucket: What exactly is it?

Excavators, loaders, and other heavy equipment used in mining, construction, and quarrying activities can be equipped with a technological attachment called an excavator rock crusher bucket. Its main objective is to effectively crush and process the current materials at the project site, including huge boulders, stones, and other materials. Because there is no longer a need to carry materials to distant crushers, this versatile instrument considerably boosts production. It is extensively used in projects including excavation, site preparation, demolition, and road building. By enabling material recycling or reuse, the excavator rock crusher bucket improves job site security and efficiency, simplifies operations, lowers costs, and promotes environmentally beneficial ways.

How Does the Excavator Jaw Bucket Crusher Function?

An excavator jaw bucket crusher is a technical attachment designed for excavators, loaders, and heavy machinery utilized in construction, demolition, and mining enterprises. It features a jaw-like mechanism that can crush and process different materials directly at the job spot. This innovative attachment is used to reduce large rocks, concrete, and waste into smaller, more manageable sizes, reducing disposal, recycling, or repurposing of materials. Excavator jaw bucket crushers are important in applications such as road construction, floor work, and quarrying, as they increase efficiency, decrease transportation charges, and encourage environmentally endurable practices by minimizing waste and preserving useful resources.

Final Thoughts

In conclusion, crusher buckets represent a significant advancement in construction and excavation equipment, whether they are made for excavators, loaders, or more specialized uses like rock crushing or jaw crushing. The way we manage materials on construction sites has been completely transformed by these adjustable attachments, improving productivity, sustainability, and resource conservation. As we delve deeper into the intricate workings of these cutting-edge instruments, it becomes clear that they are crucial for modern construction methods, minimizing waste, lowering prices, and demonstrating a more ecologically responsible approach to building and destruction.

 

Source: Tech Bullion

A historic builders’ merchant is planning to open a new design centre in Birmingham.

EH Smith has lodged plans to renovate a derelict warehouse in the city’s Digbeth district to create a new hub for the construction industry.

It is eyeing a site at 312-314 Bradford Street currently occupied by a 20th-century warehouse.

The family-owned company wants to carry out a wholesale renovation of the vacant building which was once a tool-making workshop for the Birmingham Machine Tool Rebuilding Co.

The proposed new design centre and construction hub will have showroom space, workshops, displays of more than 1,000 brick types along with ceramics, terracotta, stone and masonry support systems.

The design centre will also contain mock-ups to demonstrate modern methods of construction and education and demonstration areas about how materials can be used in fields such as sustainability, fire safety and water conservation.

A newly submitted planning application proposes to retain and restore original features of the building such as its pitched roof and arched gateway alongside an original eight-tonne crane and supporting structure which will become a focal feature within the shed.

Mezzanines floors will provide flexible workspace for EH Smith staff and a new conference room on the second floor will provide space for larger meetings and collaborations.

EH Smith is working with Digbeth-based architecture practice Howells on the scheme and its design is inspired by its London Design Centre which opened in 2020.

Now headquartered in Shirley, EH Smith was founded in 1922 in Small Heath, Birmingham, and employs 450 staff and trades from 13 locations, the majority of which are in the Midlands.

Executive director John Cave said:

“I’m delighted to be able to share the plans we’ve developed with Howells for our new design centre in Digbeth.

“While emulating our Clerkenwell Design Centre in London, it will be distinctively Birmingham, offering a collaborative space for architects, contractors, clients, designers and construction professionals and those with an interest in the city to gain inspiration, share ideas and be educated on the latest materials.

Birmingham is our home town, the first branch of EH Smith opened a short distance from here 100 years ago. With the opening of this new facility, we’re excited to enhance our position as a leading player in the construction materials industry.”

Howells’ founder and partner Glenn Howells added:

“We are very pleased to be collaborating with EH Smith to create its new design centre next to our own offices in Digbeth.

“I am sure this new facility will be a huge success in not only showcasing the amazing range of construction products provided by EH Smith but also as a hub that will bring together designers, manufacturers and developers to explore better ways to create buildings that are beautiful and sustainable.

“I believe the new design centre will soon be seen as a national beacon of how we can achieve the best construction solutions through genuine collaboration.”

Source: Business-Live

Together has provided a £4.86m, 12-month bridging facility to St Arthur Homes to acquire 32 ultra low-carbon homes built on a 250-year-old military barracks site in Chatham, Kent.

The dwellings — built by modular construction group TopHat using modern methods of construction (MMC) — are located on the hillside on the site of Kitchener Barracks, which dates back to 1757.

The loan has enabled the registered social housing provider to purchase the apartments, in order to sell them as affordable properties for first-time buyers and shared ownership.

St Arthur Homes is selling its one-bedroom apartments for between £205,000 and £212,000 and its two-bedroom for between £290,000 and £297,000.

Under the shared ownership scheme, buyers will be able to purchase a percentage of the property while paying rent to the housing association on the remainder of its market value and being able to buy a greater share in the future.

Currently, more than two thirds of the affordable properties have been sold.

Alex Bodie, director of social housing at Together, said:

“The popularity of this development is not surprising at a time when first-time buyers or young couples are crying out for high-quality, affordable places to live.

“We have been St Arthur Homes’ finance partner on four previous schemes and have been consistently impressed with their vision to provide much-needed affordable housing in the areas where they’re most needed.

“Kitchener Barracks is an innovative and sustainable development and we’re proud that our finance has been used to meet St Arthur’s ambitions.”

Andrew Shepherd, managing director at TopHat, said:

“We are incredibly proud of the beautiful, green new homes we have built at Kitchener Barracks.

“Our homes are designed to be exceptionally energy efficient to run to benefit the people living in them as well as looking great inside and out and being ultra-low carbon to build.”

Source: Bridging & Commercial

Eco-friendly bamboo potential mainstream construction material after researchers make break through

Scientists at the University of Bristol have successfully used screws as connectors in bamboo without splitting the material.

The study, recently published in the journal Construction and Building Materials, proposes a safe yet efficient prediction model for a simple connection method for bamboo, which is commonly used in wooden structures.

Once bamboo is standardised, it can be carefully implemented in construction.

Bamboo has green qualities, absorbing carbon at greater rates than other woods.

Dominika Malkowska from Bristol’s School of Civil, Aerospace and Design Engineering explained:

“Bamboo can help to fight climate change by sequestering carbon from the atmosphere.

“Wood also does this but takes 30 years to mature for harvesting while bamboo only takes four-to-five years, so we can sequester carbon at a much faster rate if we use bamboo rather than timber.”

There are currently plantation trials in the south of Europe with the aim to establish which species can be grown in that climate. If these trials are successful, bamboo may be used as a construction material for houses in the UK in the future.

Companies are already building bamboo houses in other parts of the world such as the Philippines where this research has a potential to be directly applied now.

Dominika carried out over 200 experimental tests, testing various combinations of the parameters relevant to the connection: screw material, count, spacing, diameter of screw, wall thickness of bamboo, steel plate thickness.

 

She explained:

“The most interesting finding is that the screws are in fact good candidates for connectors in bamboo, as they do not cause splitting as it was widely thought, as long as the connection is well designed.

“It also has several benefits over the conventionally used bolted connection with cement mortar infill to the inside of the bamboo pole, such as potential reduction in carbon footprint, easy disassembly on site and superior stiffness and ductility, to name a few.

“Bamboo in general is susceptible to cracking due to its material characteristics, such as fibres running in one direction only, unlike in wood where fibres have the tendency to grow in a spiral around the tree trunk, so screws may not seem appropriate as there is no spiral fibre to stop the fracture from happening. But this study proved that this is not the case as long as the connection is well designed.”

The method can be implemented straight away in simple low-loaded connections. It can also be further developed to increase the number of screws as only a limited count of screws was tested resulting in low capacity, to validate it for higher loaded scenarios.

Now Dominika plans to investigate a higher number of screws per connection to match it to the typical capacity of the conventional bolted connection, and to investigate the behaviour in an actual structure such as in shear walls.

Dominika concluded: “Bamboo connections do not need to be complex. Knowledge of timber has its use in bamboo.”

Six companies have been selected to advance in the Small Modular Reactor (SMR) competition.

Among the chosen contenders are industry giants like EDF, Rolls Royce and GE-Hitachi Nuclear Energy International LLC.

The SMR competition aligns with the government’s strategic plan to revitalise nuclear power.

The government’s ambition is to have up to a quarter of all UK electricity generated from nuclear power by 2050.

What sets SMRs apart from conventional nuclear reactors is their smaller size and factory-based production.

Experts say this technology has the potential to revolutionise power station construction by making it faster and more cost-effective.

The government and Great British Nuclear, a government-backed entity driving nuclear projects, believe that the designs chosen in this phase exhibit the highest capability to deliver operational SMRs by the mid-2030s.

The next stage of the competition will be launched promptly, enabling successful companies to bid for government contracts.

The goal is to announce government-supported companies in Spring 2024, with contracts awarded by Summer 2024.

The government is also investing in large-scale projects like Sizewell C, closely resembling Hinkley Point C, the first nuclear plant constructed in over a generation.

Energy Security Secretary Claire Coutinho said:

“Small Modular Reactors will help the UK rapidly expand nuclear power and deliver cheaper, cleaner and more secure energy for British families and businesses, create well-paid, high-skilled jobs and grow the economy.

“This competition has attracted designs from around the world and puts the UK at the front of the global race to develop this exciting, cutting-edge technology and cement our position as a world leader in nuclear innovation.”

Source: Energy Live

Solar Energy UK has stated that “planning rules have become uneven and unfair” for installing solar panels.

A statement released by the organisation highlights an altercation that occurred in Derbyshire when a local resident installed solar panels on her roof. According to the BBC, it is alleged that Mary Smail, of Ashbourne, Derbyshire, applied to her local council to gain planning permission to install solar panels.

However, the council replied stating that there was “no chance of it being granted due to the historic nature of the area”. It is then believed that “she installed them anyway while the council was considering her application and applied retrospectively for permission, which was refused”.

Derbyshire Dales District Council obtained a court injunction to remove the solar panels alongside threats that she could be jailed for two years if she did not comply. The solar panels are now in the process of being taken down, Solar Energy UK said.

Solar Energy UK stated: “The root of the issue is that Ms Smail’s home is both in a conservation area and is a Grade II listed building. Under current rules, both listed building consent and planning permission would be needed to make the installation lawful, though this does not apply everywhere.”

Chris Hewett, chief executive of Solar Energy UK provided his verdict on the situation. He said: “While Ms Smail’s actions were unwise, the rules that led to this situation make not a jot of sense and offer no public benefit.

“We strongly encourage the government to implement recently proposed reforms to permitted development rights, so that people like Ms Smail will be able to enjoy the same benefits that solar now gives to over 1.2 million UK households: cutting bills, cutting emissions and avoiding burdens on over-stretched planning departments.”

 

Source: Solar Power Portal