By David Hindley
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1 April 2022, Build 189, Feature article
World-class research, award-winning designs and a new mindset are all helping New Zealand manufacturers, architects and designers take a fresh approach to those most fundamental of building materials – concrete, steel and timber.
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By Graeme Beattie
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1 December 2011, Build 127
Lessons from the Canterbury earthquakes mean that all concrete floor slabs must now be reinforced with steel bars or welded mesh with a reasonable degree of ductility.
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1 August 2013, Build 137
One of the keys to good-quality cured concrete is correct vibration after it’s poured. This compacts it and consolidates the mix by removing trapped air. But how do you get it right?
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By Neil Lee
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1 February 2006, Build 92, Feature article
Fresh concrete contains significiant water which evaporates over time. Installing floor coverings on the floor slab before it’s dry is a recipe for disaster, so how do you know if it’s dry enough?
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By Ian Cox-Smith
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1 December 2015, Build 151
Heating costs could be cut if we do as Americans and Europeans do and add perimeter edge insulation to heated concrete floor slabs.
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By Adam Leach
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1 August 2015, Build 149
Concrete is an ancient material, but new types are emerging as engineers develop self-healing, self-cleaning and even bendable and translucent versions.
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By Ian Cox-Smith
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1 June 2007, Build 100
BRANZ has been researching how to improve the insulation of concrete slab-on-ground floors and has found an alternative method which is practical and improves performance.
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By Des Molloy
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1 October 2010, Build 120
Many builders have had a concrete and formwork failure that they would rather forget. It’s an area of construction where listening to the wisdom of experienced tradespeople is vital, but the following pointers may also help.
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By Nigel Isaacs
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1 June 2008, Build 106
First invented in Roman times, cement has undergone a chemical revolution to deliver the Portland cement used extensively today.
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1 August 2005, Build 89
Concrete shrinks as it sets and will continue to shrink for at least 12 months after placing, depending on drying conditions. About 50% of the shrinkage occurs within the first 4 months.
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