Saw Cutting Concrete Requires More Than Just An Eye On Safety

Modern engineering produces amazing results.  You can see these on the roads, the homes and buildings, the utility poles, and the vehicles going to and from your community. These are all products of people’s efforts and the tools in their hands.

bioluminescent bridge

Even though most will not know how these are built, the beauty of it is that consumers don’t really need to know that.

But behind the mystery and marvel, those in the know of the concrete saw cutting, understand that architecture and structural engineering still boil down to basics like people using hammers and nails and doing cutting with the use of a saw to come up with the needed materials.

The use of saw to cut is typically associated with nature and with sawing wood for campfires, make-shift shelters, walking sticks, concrete and shelters.

concrete saw cutting

But besides these, saw cutting is a must in several industries. For instance, there is metal saw cutting which is done from the framing of vehicles and automobiles to creating the mesh rebar that is used in the paving of many roads.

Concrete Saw Cutting

Concrete saw cutting is also done to deconstruct things. Law enforcement agents sometimes need to cut through fences or even vehicles. Power saw cutting is used to get past locks of rental storage units so that the abandoned goods inside can be taken and auctioned off.

RELATED: What is Concrete Cutting?

But no matter the purpose, remember that using a saw is dangerous. If used improperly, it can damage what is being cut and hurt or even kill people. Safety goggles are a must with any power saw, and the person handling the saw must have the proper training.

RELATED: Tips on Safe and Efficient Concrete Cutting

Given the risks, a person must know how to use the saw safely. Good thing that this skill, coupled with experience can be useful and profitable.

Note that working with concrete is an art form and there’s definitely a market for concrete furniture,  carvings, and other products.

Besides this, you’ll also have employment opportunities in the construction industry, particularly if you know how to saw cutting a concrete.

RELATED: Detailed Concrete Cutting Pros and Cons

Ways to Cut Down your Construction Expenses

ways to cut down your construction expenses

No one wants to overspend on construction, whether it’s on a commercial or residential property. Regrettably though, only a few people know how to cut costs on construction projects. This has resulted in unnecessary expenses and money wasted.

But there are ways to stick to your project’s budget while not sacrificing its quality.   Here’s what you have to do.

 

Confirm the status of utilities and infrastructure before buying your lot

Watch out for budget building lots. The most affordable lots might cost more in the long run. Hence, you don’t want a lot that requires workers to blast through rock, provide extensive drainage, or clear away trees, just to mention a few.

clear away trees area

Such hurdles make your overhead cost soar. To prevent this, make sure the lot you’re  interested in has good access to electricity and public water lines, lest you’re left to shoulder the cost of installing public utilities and services.

 

Collaborate with a friend or family and buy a large lot

You might not need a large parcel of land, but remember that some of the largest properties have the most attractive price tags. If it’s too large for what you can afford, the smart thing to do would be to find a friend or family member with whom you can split the parcel into two smaller lots.

Just be sure that the person with whom you are sharing the land is someone you don’t mind having around as a neighbor.

 

Go for a bay or canal lot if you need a waterfront site

The idea is to get your waterfront experience at less cost. Go for a bay or canal adjacent property, which cost less than an ocean or lakefront property.

waterfront site

Besides access to water, a bay or canal waterfront can shelter you against intemperate weather.

 

Purchase low-maintenance building materials

Construction materials such as metal for roofing and vinyl for siding can be particularly expensive to install. However, they will save you from repair or replacement costs for a long time.

 

Monitor your building allowances while construction is ongoing

Don’t leave everything in the hands of the contractor. Keep an eye on the ongoing building process to be sure you’re getting value for your money.

Make sure that the structural elements to decorative details are what you agreed on so that you can also stick to your set budget.

This also applies to the brand and quality of materials. Certain brands or qualities may be cheap at purchase, only to bring in regular maintenance expenses. Switching brands should merit the additional cost.  

 

Build compact

Sometimes it’s way cheaper to construct a two to three storied building instead of a single story house covering a wide area. A multi-story building is more compact but gives you the same amount of living space yet with a much smaller foundation and roof.

multi-story building

With it, you’ll have more affordable options for ventilation and plumbing, even though the initial cost and/or future maintenance may be higher because of the need for special equipment. However, you may find that a taller building is a more cost effective alternative.

 

Work with qualified professionals with a solid reputation

A certified general contractor will help you save money. They have an extensive experience thus can provide invaluable cost-benefit analysis.

certified general contractor

Further, a professional who has been in the industry has established ties with suppliers and subcontractors. With this, you can possibly benefit in the form of discounts.

 

Reduce site preparation charges

You’ll save money if you can avoid site preparation costs such as grading charges, in-fill dirt hauling fees, the cost of clearing trees or blasting rocks. To avoid these, make sure you have bought the best site and have a plan that naturally fits that chosen site.

 

Avoid change orders

Know what you want right off the bat. Once you start, remember that any change in blueprints or materials will translate to additional costs and time, and will also cause frustration among people involved in the project.

Make sure things run smoothly by having an exact plan and structure beforehand so that the building work can be erected without any midway interruptions.

 

Conclusion

Whether you are building a new home or just doing a home renovation, it is always great when you can cut back on some overheads on your construction project. Fortunately, these ideas will ensure that you get value for your money and cash does not just fly off the window.

 

Related Articles:

10 Green Construction Practices That Boost Your Profits and Save Resources

Concrete Recycling: Mega Saw’s Contribution to a Greener Environment

 

Vibrations: How Harmful Can These Be for Construction Workers

vibrations how harmful can these be

Every town or urban setup owes its stature to its outstanding infrastructure — buildings, bridges, roads and railways among other structures. Looking at their beauty, it’s hard to think of the difficulty people had in building these super structures.

And it’s even harder to picture how the tasks affect the health of construction workers. Part of the routine of these workers is the use of machines that produce vibrations that are detrimental to their health. Know what are the effects of vibration on the human body and how to prevent them.

 

So, where exactly does vibration come from?

There are two types of vibrations — hand-arm and whole body vibration.

Hand-arm vibration (HAV) is transmitted to your hands and arms while you are operating hand-guided equipment and hand-held power tools. Vibrations that hands and arms feel when holding materials being processed by machines also fall under this category.

construction worker using a jackhammer 

Hand-arm vibration is felt by workers who frequently use jackhammers, grinders, chainsaws, drills, impact wrenches and riveters.

Harmful whole body vibration (WBV), on the other hand, comes from vehicle activity, engine vibration and rough surface conditions or bumpy roads and resistance forces.

These can be amplified by road construction activity, vehicle design, vehicle condition, vehicle suspension systems maintenance, vehicle speed, driver awareness and skills and work organisation can increase or decrease exposure to WBV.

Moreover, things like tool characteristics, work organisation and individual characteristics and skills can increase or decrease exposure to HAV.

 

Types of construction activities that generate vibration

These  construction activities generate vibrations:

Road Construction is done using heavy equipment and machinery.

Machine operators experience vibrations at virtually every stage of the construction process. For starters, the laying of sub grade involves digging up the sub-soil and thoroughly compacting the sub-grade. In this, you use rollers weighing up to 8 tonnes.

These rollers are used to compact different layers. They make rapid humming movements which register as whole body vibrations on the operator.

Machines used in creation of curbs and other concrete materials also produce vibrations.  

worker using a extractor

And when you are installing new valves, pipes, fittings and manholes, you need to drill and do excavation. These drillers and excavators frequently generate a lot  of vibration.  

Moreover, hand-arm vibration is produced in concrete removal, brought about by hammers and jackhammers.and tools used to shape building stones.

stone-chipping tool

But it’s not only in construction site that vibrations can be observed.  Construction workers in quarries also experience both hand-arm and whole body vibrations from pneumatic stone-chipping tools.

With so many activities causing hand-arm and whole body vibration, it’s important to understand how vibrations adversely affect the health of construction workers to minimise so to minimise the impact of such vibration.

 

Side-effects of vibration

HAV and WBV can cause harm if not kept in check.

WBV frequently causes or exacerbates health effects such as lower back pain. A person is likely to have lower back pain because their ligaments get loose due to the repeated shaking. Vibration can also cause mild to acute damage to the back bone and discs.

fallen from ladder

This kind of vibration may also cause motion sickness, damage to bones and reproductive organs, vision or balance impairment, digestion problems, heart conditions and changes in respiratory and endocrine systems.

The risk of having these health problems increases when a worker is exposed to WBV for a long time.  

Another effect of HAV is Vibration-induced white finger (VWF).

VWF is the most common among persons who operate hand-held tools that produce vibrations. Symptoms of VWF become more amplified when exposed to cold.

achy shoulder

Such vibration can cause change muscles, tendons, joints and bones and even impair the nervous system. These effects are collectively referred to as Hand-Arm Vibration Syndrome (HAVS).

 

Common symptoms of HAVS

  • Blanching (whitening) of one or more fingers when exposed to cold;
  • Tingling feeling on the fingers and loss of sensation;
  • Pain and cold sensations in between episodic white finger attacks;
  • Loss of grip strength; and
  • Bone cysts in wrists and fingers.  

These symptoms develop gradually, becoming severe over time. Problem is, HAVS may take up to several years before becoming clinically noticeable.

Overall, vibration induced health conditions develop slowly. You only feel pain in the beginning. But with continued exposure, this develops into an injury or ailment.

 

Ways to minimise the impact of vibrations

Here are some measures to minimise the dangers of vibration:

1. Right choice of equipment 

Use low-vibration equipment and tools.

low-vibration equipment

Using equipment that is for instance not powerful enough or is too small may entail longer time to complete the task. This translates to longer exposure to vibration.

 

2. Proper work practices

Improper use of equipment is one reason ailments develop from vibrations.

With this in mind, familiarise yourself thoroughly with how the equipment should be operated so you it would produce less vibration. Further, limit loads on hands and wrists and ensure you apply the right grip force.

safety construction attire

Always wear the right gloves and clothing. Where possible, make use of suspension systems and jigs to take vibration and weight of equipment away from the operator.

 

3. Regular worker rotation

Rotating workers ensure they get the right break from such exposure to harmful vibrations. They would have enough rest so they need to handle equipment correctly and safely.

The effects of vibration can be prevented or at least contained provided you know how to do it. The above steps are enough to keep workers safe from the impact of vibrations.

The Process of Making Concrete

Let’s face it – a lot of people use the words “concrete” and “cement” interchangeably mistakenly thinking these refer to the same thing.

This couldn’t be more incorrect. Cement refers to a broad variety of fine-ground powders that harden when mixed with water.  

On the other hand, concrete is a hardened construction material made by combining a chemically inert mineral aggregate – usually sand, crushed stone or gravel, or a mixture of two or all three, cement as the binder, chemical additives (optional) and water.

Cement is therefore is only one of the many components of modern concrete.

The cement and water that make up the paste coats the surface of the aggregate, both the fine and the coarse ones. Through hydration, a chemical reaction, the paste hardens as it dries to form the rock-like mass which is concrete.

concrete tube

When concrete is dry, it naturally acquires a hardness and consistency that can be likened to stone. This makes it deal for road construction, building of bridges, factories, railroads, sewerage and water supply systems, airports, mass transportation systems, waterways and other durable structures.

Concrete may differ in strength and density, depending on the proportions of its three key ingredients: cement, water and aggregate.

 

Quality Depends on Proportion

Depending on the kind of structure that would be made with the concrete, you will prepare proportions of water, cement and aggregate. These proportions and how you mix these elements will determine the quality of the concrete and the final structure.

pouring cement in floor

Thus, if the mixture does not have enough paste to fill the gaps between the aggregates properly, it becomes difficult to manipulate the concrete and your mixture may become porous and rough on the surface.  

On the other hand, if the mixture contains excess cement paste, it will be easy to apply, and the final concrete will be smooth on the surface but can easily crack.

Given this, we see that the strength of the concrete depends on the ratio of water to cement.

This ratio refers to the weight of the water used to mix the concrete divided by the weight of the cement used.

To produce high-quality concrete, lower the ratio of water to cement as much as possible. Ensure that the fresh concrete can be properly placed and consolidated.

Setting the proportion of concrete can be done in two ways:

 

By Volume

This is usually used for small jobs. In doing this, you use gauge boxes to measure the fine and coarse aggregate.

adding cement in mixer

Each gauge box has a volume equal to one bag of cement. This method is less accurate but takes less time.

 

By Weight

This method is way more accurate and makes for a more uniform process. It doesn’t have the uncertainties of bulking, hence is generally preferred over volume batching.  

mixing cement

In either case, the proportions of cement, water, and aggregate should produce concrete that has the following properties:

  • Maximum density – the concrete should be as strongest and water-tight as it can be.
  • Can be easily manipulated while it’s fresh. it should be easy to economically place in the formwork.

With these,  you are ready to make your first concrete. But, how do you go about it?

 

Step 1: Gather or Buy the Raw Materials

You may have to buy cement, but can gather the two other raw materials: water and builder’s sand/gravel or crushed limestone.

Determine the volume of concrete that you’ll need. You can do this by multiplying the thickness of the target area to its square footage.

 

Step 2: Find a Suitable Container for Mixing  

You may not always have a mixer unless you are in the construction business. But you can always borrow or rent a mechanical mixer. Don’t worry too much on the cost as this will considerably reduce the labour required.

adding cement in mixer

For a small project, improvise a manual mixing box by building one from wood planks.  You can also use a strong wheelbarrow to mix the materials.

 

Step 3: Mix The Cement and Sand

Start off by preparing your dry mix. You do this by mixing the cement and sand. You can choose from these  two concrete preparation methods:

  • Method 1 –  make a basic mixture for mortar using the ratio of 1 to 2 to 3 for water to cement to sand by volume.
  • Method 2 – create a general purpose concrete using the ratio of 1 to 2 to 3 for cement to sand to gravel by volume.

 

Step 4: Add the Crushed Stone or Gravel  

Add the gravel or crushed stone at a ratio of up to 5 portions of gravel for every 1 portion of cement and sand mixture.

adding cement in mixer

Don’t worry. The high ratio of gravel has no adverse effect on the tensile strength of the concrete unless it’s too much. Just be sure to leave enough cement paste to fill the spaces between the gravel. If this doesn’t happen then you know you’ve added too much of the gravel.

Note that concrete with too much gravel will be difficult to level and it will be hard to achieve a smooth finished surface where it’s curved.

 

Step 5: Add Water 

Water determines the quality of your concrete so it’s best to add water to the mixture slowly. Mix out the concrete continuously every time you add water until the concrete becomes plastic enough to place in your form.

 

Step 6: Mix the concrete thoroughly  

Once the desired volume of water has been added, continue mixing until the concrete achieves a uniform consistency.

Pouring out the cement from mixer

The final wet concrete should be even all over, and have no packets of dry material. About two or three extra minutes of mixing after the desired consistency has been achieved will give you the perfect concrete.

With your concrete ready, you can then pour it and float it to create the structure you intended.

A Brief Overview of the Dangers of Reinforced Concrete

Concrete was by itself durable enough for construction until the 19th century when innovation led to the development of steel reinforcement. From then on, it didn’t take long for its popularity to spread.

Engineers saw reinforcing concrete as a way of reducing construction cost and saving time while bringing to life even stronger, more durable structures. Today, reinforced concrete has seen the rise of some of the world’s tallest skyscrapers, biggest bridges, longest highways and deepest tunnels.

While these mega-structures have lived up to the expectation the inventors of reinforced concrete had regarding strength, durability has been a different situation altogether. But before we delve into that, let us first discuss what reinforced concrete entails.

reinforced concrete
© ArchiExpo

What Is Reinforced Concrete?

Reinforced concrete is a composite material made by casing wet concrete around steel reinforcing bars tied together to make a cage.  The concrete settles and hardens around the bars.

At this point, you’d be glad to know any reasons behind concrete reinforcing.

To start with, concrete is known to have relatively low tensile strength and ductility.  

Reinforcing it counteracts both weaknesses resulting in a new material that works well in either tension or compression. The concrete resists squeezing while the steel resists bending and stretching.

 

Why Steel?

In theory, all kinds of metals can be used to reinforce concrete. However, steel is the most preferred because it expands and contracts almost the same way concrete does.  

This similarity in thermal expansion characteristics ensures the steel bars doesn’t crack the concrete that surrounds it.

Alternative materials for concrete reinforcement exist such as aluminium bronze, glass, and plastics. However, the affordability of plain steel makes it a lot more attractive to developers.

Reinforcing concrete is favoured among builders for numerous reasons. For starters, steel bars give strong building structures with thinner, less supported slabs. Such slabs require less concrete to pour making the construction process go faster.

 

Strength versus Durability

silent crushing reinforced concrete slab
© dynacem

Many planners and developers, however, fail to consider the extended costs of maintenance and repair services of reinforced concrete construction. While blending steel with concrete improves the structure’s daily tolerance with tension, it reduces its durability in the long run.

How does this happen you ask? Let us elaborate.

Modern concrete structures fail through what is informally known as concrete cancer.  This destructive process involves the following three problems, all of which are interrelated.

 

1. Natural Deterioration

 

Concrete is a combination of three ingredients:

– A mixture of fine and coarse fragments of crushed rock, such as sand, gravel and stones, glass etc.;

– Cement; and

– Water

Over time, concrete decomposes naturally as a result of a slow but steady reaction between alkalis from the cement and silica from the fragments.

The crystals formed from this reaction occupy and spread spaces within the structure.  Eventually, we have cracks from the inside, or flaking from the surface. Through, either way, moisture finds its way into the structure and corrodes it.

 

2. Cold Temperatures

 

Water that has seeped into concrete through cracks can freeze in the winter. It will then expand causing further cracks and faults within the structure. More water can get in through these new entry points, making the vicious cycle of deterioration and decay continues.

 

3. Steel Rusting

 

Despite the inevitable natural deterioration of concrete and harsh environmental conditions, old structures such as the Colosseum and the Pantheon in Rome are proof of just how long concrete can last.

It is puzzling that many concrete structures erected in the 20th century have no more than a few decades of life to show for themselves.

Structures built with reinforced concrete experience a significantly accelerated rate of degradation due to rust. This is because moisture that enters through small, newly formed cracks can eventually come into contact with the reinforcing bars in the concrete, causing them to decay.

The rust that forms around the bars results in their rapid, uneven expansion. Rust can expand the reinforcing bars up to four times their size. This enlarges existing cracks and creates new ones, finally forcing the concrete to fall apart.

 

What are the Dangers of Reinforced Concrete?

danger do not enter sign

By facilitating concrete cancer, construction with reinforced concrete poses a danger to the structure and the people using it.

Many of us wouldn’t expect to find cracks in a newly made, modern building or bridge. When such structures fall apart, it is very likely to take its unsuspecting occupants down with it.

Yet, the casualties left in the wake of reinforced concrete construction do not end there. Growing concerns about the environment and climate change have shed light on another major problem.

Concrete production is the third largest contributor of carbon dioxide emissions after automobiles and coal-fuelled power plants. In fact, cement manufacturing alone is responsible for about 5% of carbon dioxide emissions in the world.

Moreover, concrete waste represents roughly a third of all landfill waste, both an outcome largely attributed to the construction of short-lived structures.

Because recycling concrete is impractical, the only way to save our planet from its effects is to reduce its production. This will only be possible if we start building longer-lasting structures.

 

Potential Solutions

Fortunately, you can address the problem of steel corrosion in reinforced concrete in many ways including;

1. Pre-stressing/pre-tensioning: The reinforced steel is permanently compressed by first applying tension on the steel bars. As the concrete sets, the taught bars pull inwards, compressing the concrete and making it stronger.

2. Cathodic protection: The entire structure is connected to an electric current which prevents rust from forming around the steel bars.

3. Chemical treatment: The concrete is treated with a rust-inhibiting compound. A common mechanism of inhibiting corrosion with chemical treatment involves the formation of a coating onto the steel. This prevents moisture from reaching it.

While builders are widely applying the methods above to deal with degradation, nothing can fully mask the fact that reinforcing concrete with steel greatly reduces its durability.

Avoid the dangers and hire professional, hire MEGASAW call us at 1300 920 419.

World’s Most Wonderful Concrete Projects

With recent technologies like what we use in concrete cutting and core drilling have found creative ways to use concrete.

And why not? Polished concrete is durable and and beautiful, making it a popular building material. No wonder that even before this rise in popularity, concrete was chosen to be part of the most impressive structures in the world. It has long been the most durable, ubiquitous and flexible building material.

World’s Most Wonderful Concrete Projects

Let’s take a look at the world’s most wonderful concrete projects.

Petronas Towers

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia: this pair of towers is perhaps the most renowned exemplar of what structural design can make out of concrete.

Petronas Towers are the most famous landmark in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. The towers were the tallest buildings in the world last 1998,  before losing that recognition in 2004. They are still the tallest twin towers in the planet though.

Each tower has 88 stories. They are built of reinforced concrete and a facade of glass and steel.

The buildings are erected on thick concrete foundations, supported by the partly limestone and partly soft rock environment. With 104 concrete piles ranging from 197 to 374 feet in depth, the twin towers have the world’s deepest foundations.

This formed a 15-foot thick foundation weighing 35,800 tons and solid enough to hold the two towers in position. This foundation was the world record holder for the largest concrete pour until 2007.

Petronas Towers also feature a number of handsome architectural details such as rounded corners and Islamic art and design, all made of hardened concrete.

Grande Dixence Dam

This is a dam in Switzerland. It’s the world’s tallest gravity dam, made of concrete.

Grande Dixence Dam fuels a total of four power stations supplying about 400,000 households with adequate power.

This Swiss dam measures 935 feet in height and is 2,297 feet long. It also contains just about 212 million cubic feet of concrete.

Hyderabad Metro Rail, India

Still under construction, the Hyderabad Metro Rail project is projected to cost a total of over $2 billion upon its completion.

This elevated rail transport system is a major illustration of contemporary use of reinforced concrete to build a public utility structure.

It measures 46-miles in length and will completely modernize the entire region. The system will feature elevated stations every kilometre. They are expected to handle about 15 million riders.

Chesapeake Bay Bridge

This is one of the most famous bridges in the United States of America. The Bay Bridge connects the eastern and western parts of Maryland State, and bridges the urban and the countryside.

This extensively long over-water structure is made of steel at the top, but features numerous concrete supports through its entire length.

o-CHESAPEAKE-BAY-BRIDGE-facebook.jpg

Image Credit to Huffington Post

Sections of the bridge near the shores are also made of concrete. Chesapeake Bay Bridge includes a suspension span 3,200 feet over the western portion; and a through-truss cantilever to the eastern section.

Pantheon, Rome

The Pantheon, conceivably designed by Apollodorus of Damascus in 126 AD, stands out to date as a chef-d’oeuvre of concrete handicraft.

pantheon.jpg

Image Credit to planetware.com

The building’s Corinthian columns and decorative marble at the lower heights, coupled with the pure circular oculus beaming with patterned lights at the top are a true work of genius.

To top it all, it is unglazed, yet retains and ambience or pure lustre from the bottom up. This is perhaps what makes the whole work of concrete in this structure truly magnificent.

Three Gorges Dam, China

It took 17 years of work and $28 billion to construct the Three Gorges Dam, the world’s largest dam. It is also the most powerful but most expensive hydroelectric project ever built.

ThreeGorgesDam-China2009.jpg

Image Credit to en.wikipedia.org

The amount of concrete that went into this mega dam is virtually incomprehensible. This multibillion dollar project on China’s Yangtze River is 595 feet tall, 131 feet wide, and well over 7,600 feet long.

Bank of London and South America

Italian-Argentinian architect Clorindo Testa used concrete to make something that resembles the skeleton of a dinosaur from the outside. Around it are neo-classical facades that succeed in achieving a civilised look.

ec09c364b10859c88e2a2acdb42d1905.jpg

Image Credit to architizer.com

The structure also features a perforated carapace that lets sunlight into the interior space.

Wrap-up

These are just a fraction of the breathtaking structures made of concrete the world over. They have stood the test of time and some have remained inimitable.

Considering the continually increasing adoption of concrete, we can expect it to be one the biggest things in structural art and design.

10 Green Construction Practices That Boost Your Profits and Save Resources

With the environment in a mayhem, it is imperative for construction companies to adopt methods that do not impact the environment in a negative way. However, this at times could mean that the company will have to adopt measures that cost quite a bit for the sake of creating a greener, healthier environment. While adopting green constructing methods could mean making great sacrifices, there are practices companies can adopt that would not only save them money but also make their practices even greener, allowing them to have a more positive impact both on their finances as well as the environment.

1. Avoid wastage in the design stage

If it is possible for one to be involved in the design stage, it offers a great chance for one to be able to make some prime changes. This is a great place for you to be able to set the tone for saving and how vigorous you expect this to be. In this stage, there are a few thing you can do to save even more on materials. You can start by using standard building materials while setting certain waste reduction goals when the project is just starting. The best way to go about this is target the products that are most likely you be misused. Estimate the time and place that you will be generating the waste. That way you can plan on how to handle the waste.

2. Reduce wastage on the construction site

This is among the most notorious places when it comes to generating waste. However, this also means that it is here that you can make boat loads of savings. You can start by using the suppliers to buy back the items that you will not use. Of course this may be at lower price but at least you will be able to save plenty of money. You can also ask the suppliers to replace any materials that might be damaged to ensure that you don’t have to throw this away. It is also a great idea if you can get suppliers that are able to deliver the materials in pallets and containers that are retainable. That way you’re able to return those that you will not use in the proper packaging. This also makes storage much easier. Speaking of storage, you may also want to change how you store the materials. This way, you’re able to reduce those that are damaged by weather and as such you have less to throw away saving you money and also the environment.

3. Purchase cleverly to reduce construction waste

Buying materials wisely can go a long way toward helping you save money as well as the environment. However, this is a place that you’re able to even stop the waste from getting to the site. The first thing that you can do is make sure that while buying the supplies, you go for those that have less packaging. That way you’re able to bring less waste into the site which you will not be able to use in most cases. Also make sure to evaluate your estimation process to avoid buying too much, which is wasteful; or too little that you have to keep making trips to the store, which is also wasteful on human resource and fuel.

4. Reuse and recycle waste at the construction site

reusing and recycling construction waste materials

The only limit that you can have here is your creativity. There are very many ways of recycling construction materials. However, it is important that you make sure that you are well aware of the local laws and more so in regards to recycling construction site materials.

One of the easiest things to do is using blocks and broken bricks for backfill. This includes any masonry rubbles and concrete chunks. You can also use the spacers and fire blocking lumber as fillers in dry areas. The bushes and trees that you may have cleared in the cause of the building can be used for mulching while the saw dust collected can be used for mulching the landscape as well as pathways. The options are virtually limitless. The only barrier present could be your creativity. However, for this to work, it starts with you having to set aside a designated area where you can have easy access to the materials.

5. Go green in your security

It is estimated that construction companies lose over $1 billion annually due to theft of their materials, if you were to do the math, your percentage of this $1 billion loss could be several tens of thousands of dollars. Start by installing solar run security cameras so that you’re able to cut back on wastage through theft. You can then double up on the security by employing real live guards to make sure that the cameras are not vandalized. That way you don’t spend extra on electricity and at the same time, you’re able to cut on wastage of construction materials caused by theft.

6. Make new friends with the recycling and salvage companies

One of the most frustrating things that any construction company has to deal with is waste. While you might do all there is to make sure that you deal with the waste and reuse as most of it as you can, there are bits and pieces that are hard to do away with. However, this does not mean that you should have to keep the waste around. By making friends with local recycling companies they should be able to help you recycle a good amount of your waste. The best news is that some the waste that you may be dealing with can actually be turned into cash. This means that you actually get paid to get rid of it. In the long run, you’re able to get savings and also put the waste to good use.

7. Filter or divert your water run off at the site

In this case, you have to be very careful about how you dispose the pollutants from your trucks, or the washed away top soil. There are a variety of rules against this and not being able to follow this carefully could land you in trouble and even cost you the ability to work for a given time due to restraining orders. To avoid this especially because you don’t want to waste your most important resource which is water, make sure that you prevent run off. This ensures not getting caught on the wrong side of the law. Make sure that you plant rye grass which is a great stabilizer to prevent top soil run off and considering this is a plant, it may also be sucking in some of the carbon dioxide being produced in the site and make sure that you have all the drain inlets and outlets covered with rocks arranged in the same manner as in a check dam to ensure you have the appropriate silt fencing. This makes sure that you retain the integrity of the soil and avoid erosion.

You can also make sure that you check your drain measures regularly to make sure that there are no problems and that you’re within you limits. You also need to keep checking the vehicles servicing the sites regularly for leaks and make sure that you have a spill kit at hand and ensure that you’re able to use this on the spills as soon as you spot one. The importance of making sure that you follow any of these tips can be very important and a great plus for the environment.

8. Use alternative green construction materials

green construction methods

With all the awareness that is going around right now about the importance of making sure that we use materials that are friendly to the environment, the green construction material industry is enjoying quite the spike as companies are striving to meet their obligations in creating a healthier environment. As such it is vital for companies to make sure that they are able to substitute some of the conventional materials with those that are friendly to the environment like the roofing options for instance.

9. Design for Deconstruction

This is the one place most companies overlook since they do not expect their creation may someday be required to be brought down or modified for something else. This is why it is important to make sure the structure has been built in such a way that make it easy to take apart or add components later on.

This makes it economical and very environment friendly since there is minimal damage to the surrounding area as well as pollution of the air and noise due to the repeated actions of demolition. This makes some of the parts of the building very reusable in the event that the building has to be taken apart.

10. Document your green efforts

Most of the companies would differ greatly in this but this is not done to get recognition but to help spread the awareness to other companies and help to join the fight and the good cause. Some of the societies that you can join that are strong in terms of green constructions are the Green Star (Australia) and Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED), or Green Building Initiative (both in the US) .

Benefits of adopting these practices

While some of these practices may sound like they are very intensive on the contractor, there are a variety of undisputed benefits that come with adopting green constructions and using this strategies to maximize on the same.

One of the best benefits that the constructor is able to feel almost instantaneously is the light nature of their budget. They waste less and as such are able to save more. That means that they are able to get the best constructions using the best practices but at the same time being able to adopt the safest building methods and practices.

Needless to mention, most of the constructors that are doing this are able to sleep better at night knowing well that they are doing their part diligently in making the world a better place.
While green construction has been highly touted, it is the responsibility of every industry player to make sure that they adopt practices that favour the environment and their business in the long run and more so if they intend to keep it. These practices just ensure that they are able to benefit while at the same time benefiting the planet.