| Eurocodes
| 23 February 2010
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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 They will replace existing British Standards, which are due to be withdrawn on 31 March 2010 when full implementation of the Eurocodes will take place.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.
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| The Heron Tower
| 22 February 2010
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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.
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| Civic Trust Shortlist contains Lytag® LWA
| 19 January 2010
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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!
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| New RNLI life boat Station, Bembridge, Isle of White.
| 14 December 2009
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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.
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| New Kings Cross northern ticket hall
| 2 December 2009
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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.
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| The world's largest Audi centre
| 20 November 2009
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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.
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| Lytag® LWA moved by DISAB boom and snorkel system
| 4 November 2009
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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. |
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| Lytag® LWA used in Belvedere EFW plant
| 5 October 2009
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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.
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| Lytag® Technical Manual updates
| 13 September 2009
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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
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| Lytag® LWA used in flood defences
| 3 September 2009
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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.
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| The Institution of Structural Engineers shortlist for the 2009 Structural Awards
| 4 August 2009
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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!
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| The 35 storey Broadgate Tower makes it one, two and three for LYTAG Ltd.
| 28 July 2009
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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.
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| Ross swing Bridge Penzance
| 16 July 2009
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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.
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| Lytag LWA used for undersea pipeline supports
| 7 July 2009
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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
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| Construction News article on West Thames College
| 19 June 2009
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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
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| LYTAG lightweight aggregate now available in the Middle East
| 3 June 2009
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Lytag Ltd has signed an agreement with Bulk Materials International (BMI) for the merchanting of LYTAG lightweight aggregate in the Middle East. BMI Middle East will market LYTAG lightweight aggregate in Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates and the Yemen. BMI will also manage sales of the product and provide technical support for its use across these regions. To read the full press release please click here
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| New Lytag® Website Goes Live
| 11 May 2009
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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.
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