Lytag Ltd News

The Construction News "Quality Award for Project over £50m" 2 July 2010

The Construction News “Quality Award for Project over £50m” goes to the project team of Balfour Beatty Civil Engineering for the Northern Ticket Hall, Kings Cross St Pancras underground station.

The new Northern Ticket Hall at Kings Cross and St Pancras Underground station was opened on the 2nd December 2009 The concrete slabs for the three storey concrete box / hall was designed and cast using a 40N/mm2 Lytag® Lightweight aggregate concrete, to reduce the overall concrete weight, with a U2 & F4 finish.

The 4000m2 hall significantly increases the station capacity and provides a boost to passenger movement between mainline services at Kings Cross and St Pancras international stations and the London Underground network. The hall opened within time and budget. Congratulations Balfour Beatty

 




LYTAG LTD ANNOUNCES NEW APPOINTMENT 10 June 2010

Leading lightweight aggregate supplier Lytag Ltd has appointed Simon Payne as Specification Sales Manager working across the North of England, Scotland, North Wales and Ireland. Simon will draw on his extensive experience as a structural engineer to provide technical advice on the use of LYTAG lightweight aggregate, and has responsibility for clients using the product to create lightweight ready mixed concrete, lightweight screeds, and lightweight drainage and horticultural aggregate products.

Gareth Moores, Executive Chairman of Lytag Ltd, comments: “Simon’s background in the industry and experience as a structural engineer mean he is well placed to bring specialist knowledge and a new dynamic to our team and our business. Simon’s appointment will support both our business plans in the UK and the expansion of the LYTAG brand in the Middle East.”
 
Simon moves to Lytag Ltd from Rolton Group. He has worked as a consulting engineer for 15 years throughout the UK on projects across a range of sectors including health, education, residential, civil and waste infrastructure. This experience gives Simon a comprehensive understanding of the needs and perspective of engineers and architects, enabling him to offer technical support and advise on how to take full advantage of the product’s unique qualities.
 
Simon comments: “I am delighted to have joined Lytag Ltd as the construction industry is looking to recovery.  LYTAG lightweight aggregate has been used to great effect by engineers and contractors in a number of iconic structures such as the Gherkin and the Hull Truck Theatre and this appointment presents me with an exciting opportunity to help further build this brand. I look forward to the new challenges that the position will offer, and to bringing my experience and enthusiasm to Lytag Ltd.”



Lytag® LWA screed at the Savoy 13 May 2010

The famous Art Deco doors of London’s Savoy Hotel were closed in December 2007 for the most expensive hotel renovation project in British history to date. The hotel will reopen this summer. 

The 120-years old building on The Strand has been completely stripped back and with such a huge restoration a series of small obstacles have had to be taken care of and corrected. This included the need for some lightweight floor screeds.
 
To aid with this part of the restoration project Lytag ltd supplied bagged lightweight aggregate in nominal 12.2kg bags, which is equivalent to approximately 25kg of normal weight aggregate.
 
The use of Lytag® lightweight aggregate (LWA) in screeds can reduce the dead weight by up to 50%. The weight reduction of the material in small bags also assists with manual handling.
The bags were supplied on pallets containing 59 bags. Each pallet produces approximately 1m3 of finished screed.
 
Lytag® LWA is widely used throughout the UK in floor and roof screeds giving lower densities, improved thermal and acoustic insulation and uses less cement than traditional cement sand screeds.



LYTAG now available in small bags 12 May 2010

LYTAG 4/8mm lightweight aggregate is now available on pallets in small bags. Pallets holding sufficient material to make around 1m3 of finished screed is now available. Each pallet has 59 bags, each bag weighing approximately 12.2kgs, and is shrink wrapped. 

Ideal for  those jobs with difficult access where material is to be handled, with each bag holding the same volume of material as a traditional 25kg bag but half the weight.

It is also ideal for filling small voids where access requires material to be moved by hand, such as on upper floors.

Further information is available from our sales office on 01904 727922




Success for LYTAG Ltd at the Civic Awards 2010. 19 March 2010

Launched in 1959, the Civic Trust Awards is one of the oldest built environment award schemes in Europe. The Civic Trust Awards are unique and recognise the best in the built environment. This year, as in 2009, Lytag Ltd are proud to have been associated with two winning projects.

 
A Civic Trust ‘Special Award’ goes to the Hull Truck Theatre.
Each year, a series of prestigious Special Awards are awarded to outstanding schemes. These are given to Award winning schemes which show excellence in a specific category or field.  The aspirational new Hull Truck Theatre building acknowledges the Theatre Company’s forty-plus-year cultural contribution to Hull.
The scheme comprises two main auditoria, public foyer and private back of house areas. Approximately 160m3 of 8:1 Lytag® LWA screed was installed
 
 
A Civic Trust Award ‘Commendation’ goes to 7-10 Old Bailey.
This contemporary, well designed building with a durably detailed exterior provides good quality workspace for its users. It is clear that accessibility and inclusive design has been considered and incorporated at an early stage of the design and development. Approximately 7,904m2 (8 floors) of Lytag® lightweight aggregate concrete with STRUX 90/40 structural fibres was placed on RLSD Holorib steel decking.



Eurocodes 23 February 2010

As the time approaches when the Structural Eurocodes will replace British Standards, many engineering practices are reluctant to embrace the new codes.

The Structural Eurocodes are a set of harmonized European standards for the design of buildings and civil engineering structures. They will replace existing British Standards, which are due to be withdrawn on 31 March 2010 when full implementation of the Eurocodes will take place.
 
The Lytag® Technical Manual has been updated to reflect the impending changes. Section 4 - Design Guidance for Lytag LWAC (concrete) was updated last year to ensure that the relevent information was available for those starting to use the new codes.
 
Used in conjunction with the Eurocodes, Lytag® lightweight aggregate concrete can be designed for structures meeting the new standards. To download section 4 follow the link below. You will need to register your details please before downloading the document.
 



The Heron Tower 22 February 2010

 The Heron Tower, also referred to as 110 Bishopsgate became, on February the 19th, the first building within the 2000 year history of the City of London, and only the second building in the United Kingdom to surpass and top out beyond the 200 metre threshold. It has surpassed the 183 meter high Tower 42 and stands at 202.5 metres. The steel frame structure contains Lytag® LWA concrete floors.

The building will be completed and habitable sometime during 2011 and support a yet to be constructed nearly fifty metre spire. The tower will then soar to 246 meters even beating the height of 1 Canada Square.



ODA Chairman John Armitt visits Lytag Ltd 12 February 2010

Lytag Ltd was visited this week by Mr John Armitt, Chairman of the Olympic Delivery Authority.

Mr Armitt visited Lytag Ltd to see for himself the processes used in supplying the London contract.

Lytag Ltd is one of many companies in Yorkshire that have secured contracts to deliver goods and services to the 2012 London Olympic and Paralympic Games. Lytag Ltd will supply main contractor Balfour Beatty with around 2000t of lightweight aggregate to the iconic Aquatics Centre in London.

 

Press releases

http://www.beverleyguardian.co.uk/739/Olympic-chairman-visits-winning-Yorkshire.6051838.jp

 

 

http://www.yorkshirepost.co.uk/businessnews/Olympic-mission-for-companies.6055102.jp




Civic Trust Shortlist contains Lytag® LWA 19 January 2010

The Civic Trust shortlist was unveiled by the Architect’s Journal on 18th of January.

Two projects containing Lytag® LWA have been shortlisted to receive either an award or commendation.
 
7-10 Old Bailey, London
Redevelopment of a site in the City of London adjacent and on the east boundary of the Central Criminal Courts within the Ludgate Hill Conservation Area.
Approximately 7,904m2 (8 floors) of Lytag® lightweight aggregate concrete with structural fibres was placed on Holorib steel decking.
 
The Hull Truck Theatre, Hull
The theatre on Ferensway has a main auditorium and smaller studio theatre. It also contains education spaces, large foyers and cafe-bars.
Lytag® 8:1 lightweight no fines screed was used to reduce the dead weight on the roof precast plank system.
 
The announcements will be made at the 2010 Civic Trust Awards Ceremony on Friday 12 March at St George’s Hall, Liverpool.
 
Good luck with your entries!



New RNLI life boat Station, Bembridge, Isle of White. 14 December 2009

The Bembridge RNLI lifeboat station is strategically situated in the Solent, home to one of the busiest shipping lanes in our waters used by over 100,000 commercial ships per annum. Since the station was first built in 1867, over 900 lives have been saved.

The all-weather lifeboat house originally constructed in 1922 survived until 2009 when it was demolished. The supporting stilts and walkway were old and crumbling away and waves could dangerously crash over the walkway and anyone on it.
The RNLI investigated the viability of further repairs and alterations to the station but it was found to be cheaper to build a new station. The new station is due for completion in 2010 and will cost approximately £10,000,000.

Lytag® lightweight aggregate was used to produce LC 45/50 lightweight precast concrete for the slipway and walkway units, suitable for use in a marine environment, in a value engineering exercise. The reduction in weight also helped with the crane lifting requirements.




New Kings Cross northern ticket hall 2 December 2009

The new Northern Ticket Hall at Kings Cross and St Pancras Underground station was opened on the 2nd December 2009 The concrete slab for the hall was designed and cast using a 40N/mm2 Lytag® Lightweight aggregate concrete, to reduce the overall concrete weight, with a U2 & F4 finish.

The 2000m2 hall significantly increases station capacity and provides a boost to passenger movement between mainline services at Kings Cross and St Pancras international stations and the London Underground network.

In addition to the new Hall, ten new escalators and five lifts were installed. 300m of new tunnels were also dug to link with the Northern, Victoria and Piccadilly platforms.




The world's largest Audi centre 20 November 2009

The world's largest Audi centre and probably the largest single car 'emporium' in Europe opened in October 2009. It is located on one of the UKs most prominent roadsite sites, on the A4 Great West Road between central London and Heathrow Airport.

The building contains 5 storeys above and 2 below ground with in excess of 17000 square metres of floor space, a sizeable proportion of which will be dedicated to sales. The basement floors include car parking and 32 service bays.

The building also features a mezzanine floor approximately 50m wide and fully suspended from a series of 12-degree raking rods supported from the first floor main beams.

Lytag® LWA was used in the readymixed concrete, reducing the hardened concrete weight, allowing thinner slabs and fewer supports in the design, providing a more versatile space.




Lytag® LWA moved by DISAB boom and snorkel system 4 November 2009

Lytag Ltd together with JK Environmental were asked by Balfour Beatty to demonstrate how Lytag® LWA could be moved over some distance. A demonstration was held using a DISAB suction unit. Material was moved using the boom and snorkel system and discharged using the ‘high tip’ and the ‘blowing system’ using the distribution box. The demonstration distance was set at 100 meters.  The trial was conducted successfully and demonstrates that Lytag® LWA can easily be moved over some distance by such a system.
 
For a video demonstation please follow the link.
 
 
 



Lytag® LWA used in Belvedere EFW plant 5 October 2009

The Riverside Resource Recovery energy-from-waste Facility in Belvedere, London is currently under construction by Costain.
 
Supplied ready mixed, concrete containing Lytag® LWA was supplied to reduce the deadweight on the office floor slabs, allowing a required increase in the overall slab thickness.
 
When completed the facility will be able to process 585 KT of waste per year and provide 66MW of electricity, sufficient to power around 66.000 homes making it one of the largest in the UK. Completion is expected mid 2011.



Lytag® Technical Manual updates 13 September 2009

Lytag® Ltd has updated a number of Sections in their Technical Manual.

Sections 1, 2, 4, 5 and 6 have been updated primarily to reflect changes in European and British Standards, and to update information for designers working to the new Eurocodes which are replacing such documents as BS 8110.

The updated sections are avialable in the Technical Info area of the website



Lytag® LWA used in flood defences 3 September 2009

Flood defences in the Cliffe area of Lewes are being strengthened and improved.
The town lies within the floodplains of the River Ouse which makes it vulnerable to flooding.
Lytag® LWA is utilised in the concrete on the project which includes the construction of several new flood protection walls. Lytag® LWA is specifically used to reduce the bearing pressure.
The project is expected to be completed late 2009.



The Institution of Structural Engineers shortlist for the 2009 Structural Awards 4 August 2009

The Institution of Structural Engineers shortlist for the 2009 Structural Awards has been announced. Three Lytag® LWA supplied projects are on this list.

201 Bishopsgate and the Broadgate Towers are entered for the Award for Commercial or Retail Structures category. Lytag® LWA was supplied for concrete.
 
The Darwin Centre Phase Two is entered in the Award for Arts or Entertainment Structures category. Lytag® LWA was supplied for lightweight screed.
 
The Wimbledon Centre Court Roof is entered for the Award for Sports or Leisure Structures. Lytag® LWA supplied for precast concrete and screed
 
Good luck with your entries!



The 35 storey ‘Broadgate Tower’ makes it one, two and three for LYTAG Ltd. 28 July 2009

The Broadgate Tower is the third tallest building in the City of London standing at 178m. It joins the tallest building in the City, the ‘Tower 42’ (formerly the Nat West Building) which is followed in second place by the ‘Swiss Re’ Building (30 St Mary Axe).

All three buildings contain Lytag® LWA concrete in their structures.
 
Currently the tallest building in London is the ‘One Canada Square’ building standing at 235m high. Here too Lytag® LWA concrete was employed in the structure.
 

For more information read the full Project Profile.




Ross swing Bridge Penzance 16 July 2009

The Ross Swing Bridge in Penzance which allows access to and from the dry dock has had the existing timber deck replaced with lightweight precast concrete panels using Lytag® lightweight aggregate.

 
Using lightweight concrete as opposed to timber will require less maintenance and reduce lifecycle costs.
 
For more information read the full Project Profile.



Lytag LWA used for undersea pipeline supports 7 July 2009

 A new underwater gas pipeline from Spain to Algeria required bridging supports. Lytag® lightweight course and fine aggregates were selected to manufacture 40N/mm² precast concrete cradles/supports which have now been placed in this aggressive marine environment.

The units were produced in Dundee and transported by road to Spain. The concrete supports were then taken offshore by an installation vessel and lowered to the seabed where they now rest at 1945m below see level. 

For more information read the full Project Profile




Construction News article on West Thames College 19 June 2009

Lytag Ltd are currently supplying Lytag® lightweight aggregate, to be used in the lightweight concrete, for the £52m redevelopment of West Thames College in London. The building was designed around a lightweight concrete frame by Structural Engineers Aecom.  The concrete is being supplied to Osbourne Construction, the main contractor, by London Concrete.

Construction News have published an article in their technical section on 18th June 2009. To read the full article follow the link below.

http://www.cnplus.co.uk/technical/projects/heavyweight-problem-lightweight-solution/5203457.article




New Lytag® Website Goes Live 11 May 2009

The Lytag® website has been significantly enhanced behind the scenes to allow us to provide you with the latest Project content and Technical documentation.

Would you like us to come and give you a presentation on Lytag® LWA? Then try our new Presentation Request Form.

The new website also has two new and interesting applications using Lytag® LWA introducing SUDS & Green Roofs.