The National Ready Mix Concrete Association has updated its industry average environmental impacts for concrete.
The aim is to provide product transparency within green building standards. The second version of the NRMCA Industry-Wide (IW) Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) and Benchmark (Industry Average) Report discloses the environmental impacts of concrete manufacturing for a wide range of concrete products.
The updated document includes additional member companies, concrete plants, and concrete mixes. Similar to the original, the new NRMCA IW EPD lists impacts for concrete ranging compressive strengths from 2,500 psi through 8,000 psi, covering most concrete used in residential, commercial, and public construction.
A wide range of products are covered for each strength class; from 100% portland cement mixes to mixes with over 50% replacement with fly ash and slag cement. Lightweight concrete mix designs have also been added in the new version.
The IW EPD now includes 88 companies, 2,519 plants, and 72 mixes offering enhanced data for baselines and resulting in significant national coverage and production. LEED v4 includes a credit that encourages a project team to use building materials that have EPDs.
Related Stories
Wood | Jul 8, 2019
Campaign launched to promote ‘climate-smart wood’
The Forest Stewardship Council and other groups aim to help buyers understand and make it easier to locate lumber that meets sustainable forestry standards.
Urban Planning | Jul 8, 2019
U.S. cities experience ‘Doppler shift’ in walkable urban development
The walkability trend is spreading to urbanizing suburbs.
Codes and Standards | Jun 27, 2019
Construction workers need continuous skills upgrades
A report by Autodesk and Deloitte focuses on how workers can succeed in an automated world.
Codes and Standards | Jun 27, 2019
Updated standard for liquid applied flashing for exterior wall openings released
AAMA document establishes minimum performance requirements.
Codes and Standards | Jun 27, 2019
Public restrooms being used for changing clothes, phone conversations, and 'getting away'
About 60% of Americans use a public restroom one to five times a week, according to the latest annual hand washing survey conducted by Bradley Corporation.
Codes and Standards | Jun 21, 2019
Green Globes 2019 accepted as a revised American National Standard
Advances include language on resilience, life cycle cost analysis, moisture control analysis, health, and effectiveness.
Codes and Standards | Jun 14, 2019
Reports from Intl. Code Council focus on expanding use of shipping containers as building materials
Three companies show compliance for using containers for housing.
Codes and Standards | Jun 13, 2019
Report explores potential for rope-less and multidirectional elevators in tall buildings
Technology can enable cities to be more interconnected, efficient, and accessible.
Codes and Standards | Jun 12, 2019
USGBC-LA launches Net Zero Accelerator
Goal is to enable building tech market adoption for a net positive future.
Codes and Standards | Jun 11, 2019
BREEAM USA In-Use standard to be released this fall
Will expand to include residential and multifamily for assessment and certification.