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...

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