Aggregate urge industry to embrace concrete innovations in high-rise building design

Aggregate Industries is reminding contractors that innovative concrete solutions, such as Lytag, are growing in importance, and are vital in order to achieve world-class sustainable building design for high-rise structures.

According to the latest report by the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat, more high-rise towers are being built in the UK this year than in the previous ten – a record 510 tall towers, at over 20 storeys high, are currently planned or under construction in London alone.

With this considered, Aggregate is advising the industry use lightweight concrete solutions, which are often more cost effective and sustainable than standard options.

This is because they has never been more crucial, particularly for meeting the complex design challenges of the UK’s most high-profile construction projects.

Barry Mellor, Lytag commercial manager, commented: “The task for the modern structural engineer or contractor is not an easy one. Given the growing trend for high-rise developments across the UK, the onus is on creating cost-effective and sustainable structures which, at the same time, provide scope for greater design freedom than ever before.

“As such, lightweight concrete solutions such as Lytag, a secondary aggregate up to 50% lighter than natural aggregate, can help developers to make the seemingly ‘impossible’ possible by enabling them to achieve remarkable architectural feats.

“Providing the same level of structural performance as standard weight aggregate used in concrete formulation, Lytag is ideal for reducing the number and size of columns in order to create bigger structures with greater spans, whilst at the same time being able to reduce the total load of their builds.

“Essentially, it reduces the volume of foundation needed by using less concrete and steel during the construction process.”

What’s more, Lytag is made from fly ash generated by coal fired power stations. Being a secondary aggregate means it can dramatically improve the green credentials of a build, evidenced in the construction of the £135m 70 St Mary Axe landmark development – the latest skyscraper set to grace London’s skyline.

Lytag was crucial to help the tower recently receive an Excellent rating in BREEAM by conforming to clause WST 02 in relation to recycled aggregate.

Barry added: “Pushing boundaries is the cornerstone of pioneering design and, in turn, maintains our status as a world-leading construction company.

“And at the heart of this is seeking innovation in all areas, including building materials such as concrete, which as the most widely used man-made material in the world, has for far too long been viewed as an everyday, standard construction commodity.

“However, since its inception 60 years ago, Lytag has had an incredible track record of helping to create the London skyline – usually on projects considered the first of their kind, which use space wisely, boast impressive aesthetics and keep sustainability at the forefront.

“We’d recommend architects, developers and contractors, who haven’t done so already to continue to use Lytag’s unique capabilities to achieve the gold standard in high-end, intelligent and sustainable building design.”

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