Sustainability continues to be a primary driver for material decisions in buildings, for good reason. Residential and commercial buildings account for a significant percentage of energy use and greenhouse gas emissions in the US, and manufacturers are taking steps to reduce their environmental impact. In particular, accounting for carbon emissions is becoming more important relative to sustainability goals, and there is heightened focus on reducing the amount of embodied carbon in the built environment.

Concrete masonry meets the needs of many decision-makers related to carbon reduction. CMU are made with dry-cast concrete (zero-slump) which uses less water and cement than wet-cast concrete, due to differences in manufacturing. The unique structure of dry-cast concrete enables increased rates of carbon dioxide sequestration and at a much faster rate when compared with wet-cast concrete. This presentation will explore carbon accounting for concrete masonry, based on recent research into carbon sequestration as well as Life Cycle Analysis (LCA) studies. These show that not only is the embodied carbon of concrete masonry less than other concrete products, it is equivalent to other types of structural systems.

Objectives:

1. Explore the differences between dry-cast (CMU) and wet-cast (ready-mix/pre-precast) concrete and how these differences contribute to CMU assemblies having lower embodied carbon, and increased carbon sequestration rates.
2. Investigate why concrete sequesters carbon dioxide by first looking at the larger geologic carbon cycle, then the cement production carbon cycle.
3. Compare the embodied carbon difference for several types of wall assemblies, and for CMU assemblies incorporating recent industry carbon sequestration test results.
4. Summarize several different strategies to lower the embodied carbon of dry-cast (CMU) structures at the design phase, cradle to gate stage, the use stage, and at the end of life (EOL).

Six-storey, wood-frame construction was incorporated to the National Building Code of Canada in 2015. The accredited presentation reviews…

Learning Objectives:

1. The differential movements that should be accounted for when integrating masonry elements into wood-frame construction and more specifically mid-rise wood-frame buildings using illustrative details.
2. Shelf angle design and brick tie design that accommodate these movement considerations to help prevent cracking of masonry veneers are also discussed.
3. The advantages of using masonry to construct critical elements in wood-frame buildings such as stairwells, elevator shafts, and 2-hour firewalls are also reviewed. The presentation closes with a discussion on meeting the current and future National Energy Code for Buildings (NECB) requirements with brick veneers.

While technical advancements in material manufacturing are on the horizon, significant carbon reductions can be achieved today through more “carbon efficient” design - yielding both environmental and cost benefits. We identify some surprisingly easy ways to dramatically reduce the environmental impact without compromising performance (or your budget).

This seminar provides everything you need to:

• nderstand and compare the embodied carbon of different masonry wall assemblies. Masonry assemblies are complicated and a mason doesn’t lay a cubic metre of mortar at a time. Discover how to use Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) data in a practical, easy to understand way.
• Learn how the masonry industry is innovating through research in partnership with Canadian Universities, exploring options that will shape manufacturing and construction over the next five years in alignment with 2030 climate objectives.
• Equip yourself with actionable strategies that can be used today to optimize masonry veneer design, demonstrating how improved project specifications and detailing. Modernize your stack of design tools, incorporating new resources that are available now and immediately reduce cost, construction time, and embodied carbon.
• Keep up to date with an overview of key updates to the CSA S304-24 design standard, and get early access to new design tools for veneers and carbon footprint calculations that will save you time, developed by the Canada Masonry Design Centre.

Join us to stay at the forefront of masonry’s transition to a lower-carbon future while enhancing the efficiency and sustainability of your designs.

From patios and driveways to roads, rooftops, and even ports and airports, segmental pavements provide a durable and beautiful pavement solution. Depending on site conditions, pavers and slabs can be installed on an aggregate base (both dense and open graded), over existing concrete/asphalt pads, or on pedestals/grates. To make it as simple as possible for you to design with our products, Oaks has over 100 different 2D AutoCAD design details available for you to drop into your tender drawings, hundreds of hatch patterns in CAD and PAT formats to texturize your site plans, and even a library of Sketchup files to create life like project renderings. The purpose of this presentation is to show attendees how to access our online library of design tools, and provide you with guidance on selecting the correct drawings/details based on your specific project conditions. Some of the key questions to be answered include:

1. Identifying appropriate product dimensions based on traffic conditions/loading.
2. When to use a Bituminous (asphalt) binder in the bedding sand.
3. When is HPB acceptable to use, is compaction required, and how to prevent material migration.
4. Determining base/subbase thickness based on site soils, traffic and wet days.
5. Proper methods of drainage, in particular over new/existing concrete or asphalt bases.

Hardscaping, the use of non-plant elements in landscaping such as stone, wood and concrete products, plays a crucial role in shaping modern outdoor spaces. Modern trends in hardscaping reflect shifting priorities in design, natural disaster safety, environmental concerns and technological advancements. Staff from the Concrete Masonry and Hardscape Association (CMHA) and Oaks will discuss hot topics in the hardscape industry from across North America as well as innovative research initiatives being conducted through CMHA. Examples of some of the topics to be covered include:

1. Use of Hardscapes in Firescaping
2. Sustainability through Carbon Sequestration
3. Alternative (recycled) backfill materials for Segmental Retaining Walls
4. Permeable Surfaces for Improved Drainage
5. Smart Outdoor Spaces (wireless power transfer in paver systems)
6. Living Walls and Pavements

Permeable hardscapes are frequently being adopted in residential and commercial site stormwater management plans due to their ability to filter water through them, reducing runoff, preventing erosion and promoting groundwater recharge. But like any other stormwater management device, their exposure to sediments and other debris requires regularly scheduled maintenance.

Speakers in this session include a leading researcher in stormwater management that has researched several new and advancing technologies for pavement maintenance, and the owner of The Ambrose Company out of Akron, OH that specializes in the maintenance of permeable pavement systems. The focus is on providing a clear expectation on the cost and effectiveness of maintenance practices.