Read and understand the latest news here. Officials say that a piece of equipment that weighed one tonne fell on top of a construction worker in Greenpoint on Monday morning, causing the person to be tragically crushed. Meanwhile, the design process for the new Learning & Teaching Building at the University of Strathclyde is supported by BIM, which acts as the digital equivalent of a pencil. On the other hand, with our attention firmly fixed on developing an efficient circular economy, recycled IBA aggregate will soon be a viable choice for use in UK construction. In addition, a seasoned chartered engineer has expressed concern that many new buildings in the UK may have structural designs that are not up to code, and has called for more regulation of the construction industry.

The developer paused 20 projects while authorities investigated the death of a 46-year-old construction worker in Brooklyn

Original Source: Construction worker, 46, is crushed to death at Brooklyn job site: Developer is forced to pause work on more than 20 projects as police investigate his death

A construction worker in New York was murdered early Monday by a falling 2,000-pound piece of equipment.

A 46-year-old worker was killed in Greenpoint at 9:10 a.m. He was killed Monday when a one-ton piece of machinery collapsed on him while he was working on a 14-story affordable housing development.

The worker was trying to attach an extension arm to an excavator when it fell on him, causing severe bodily harm, the NYPD said.

The worker was pronounced deceased at the scene, and police and the Department of Building are investigating “what transpired.”

Unnamed worker

The construction worker was wearing complete safety gear when he was crushed by the fallen extension arm, said Department of Buildings Commissioner Eric Ulrich.

Ulrich stated at a news conference that the arm weighed more than 2,000 pounds.

Ulrich said the unnamed worker was crushed when the contraption failed to attach to a yellow excavator that remained on the site after the event.

Officials suspect the tragedy occurred as a worker tried to install an extension to an excavator behind Ulrich.

The commissioner said, “The attachment failed and killed the victim.”

Police and the Department of Buildings are investigating what happened this morning. The victim’s family is being notified as we speak.

He continued, “We can confirm one death on location.”

Ulrich revealed that the building site had received 311 complaints, but none were “substantiated.”

The official didn’t specify the number of breaches, but stated that noise and after-hours work were issues.

Ulrich said a comprehensive investigation is needed to determine if the complaints influenced Monday’s incident.

A reporter inquired about the construction site’s past transgressions.

He said the worker was trying to relocate construction materials when the one-ton extension he had just installed fell, crushing him.

Ulrich said a “complete review” of the 728,000-square-foot facility had been ordered.

Despite accusations, Lendlease’s location had no past infractions, Ulrich said.

The department and NYPD will review all of Lendlease’s other city construction sites, the commissioner added.

Lendlease’s website states that 30% of the Greenpoint site’s flats will be classified as ‘affordable housing.’

The developer expects more than 13,000 square feet of retail space.

Lendlease “is working to build collaborations with local nonprofits to support local hiring, especially for diverse, minority, and underemployed groups’

The organisation said the project will “convert a 2.6-acre city block on the Greenpoint-Williamsburg waterfront into the next generation of sustainable and dynamic multi-family living in New York City.”

Lendlease’s head of communications for the Americas, Tom Reller, said the Australian company is also investigating.

Reller confirmed the deadly construction accident happened “this morning at 1 Java St. in Brooklyn.”

Reller stated, “We send our sincere condolences to the individual’s loved ones.” We are currently investigating the event in full conjunction with the authorities.

Lendlease, a foreman, or the late worker may be at fault. If the equipment malfunctions, the building’s organisation might face homicide and gross negligence charges.

The company has more than 20 multimillion-dollar projects in Los Angeles, Chicago, and Manhattan Hospital Beth Israel.

The probe will determine the status of these job sites.

The slain worker’s coworkers were pictured outside the labour site, many looking upset and holding back tears.

The worker’s body, covered by a tarp, was photographed by lensmen shortly after the occurrence.

The body of the construction worker who died hasn’t been identified.

One Java St. is one of many large housing developments in West Brooklyn as transplants drive up rates and price out longtime residents.

Construction on the building and Lendlease’s other projects has not yet begun. The building is investigating the event.

BIM supports Strathclyde’s building design

Original Source: BIM supports design process for University of Strathclyde’s building

BIM helps design the new learning & teaching building at Strathclyde University.

Architects are visual people and need drawings to describe a building’s look and function. Digital tools help us illustrate and collaborate with clients and partners. BIM allows real-time collaboration on holistic, data-driven 3D models.

BDP was the first UK company certified as Level 2 BIM compliant by BRE. We’ve been using BIM as a standard for all our projects for the previous decade. We see it as a tool, like pencil and paper, that helps us provide our clients with better building results.

The Learning and Teaching Project benefited greatly from BIM.

The project combines rehabilitation and new construction on Strathclyde’s City Centre Campus. The current building’s model was created using 1960s paper sketches and a point cloud survey.

BIM’s game-changing benefit for this project was bringing the full building to life during briefing and design. This virtual tour helped clients grasp our offerings.

Using client-specific technology

They envisioned working in the space and a student’s day. Using BIM, we could transport participants into presentations and walkthroughs. Our client decided not to use virtual reality goggles but watched a projection while directing a BDP team member around the model and asking questions. Any building area could be visited.

The 20,000 sq m project included the rehabilitation and adaptive reuse of two existing buildings: the Colville Building and the B-listed Architecture Building; and a new construction centre facing Rottenrow Gardens. Virtual reality showed the broad galleria connecting the buildings and the voids and new open stairs that connect levels and provide double-height entrances.

The BIM model generated all the construction details, allowing us to engage with the building crew. It allows structural, mechanical, and electrical engineers, steel fabricators, and critical subcontractors to work together and share precise information in real time. We held frequent meetings there and used the model to check for clashes.

BIM improves accuracy and efficiency.

You may simply inspect element details, boosting efficiency and accuracy. The 3D modelling interface offers early collision detection, reducing errors and risk and improving construction planning and design.

An education client brief comprises room occupancy, furnishings, and equipment for students. All of this can be included in a BIM model to prevent duplication and improve work package management.

BIM helps BDP avoid project surprises. Face-to-face meetings, “conventional” presentations, and client reviews are also used. QR codes in designs let clients visualise the finished construction.

This study shows how a computer model may help visualise a building and address unforeseen challenges.

Rock Solid Durable aggregates

Original Source: Rock solid sustainable aggregates

Rock Solid Processing Limited, one of the UK’s premier IBA aggregate producers, is now fully operational in England and Scotland, generating efficient, sustainable, and cost-effective IBA aggregate solutions for the local construction industry.

Rock Solid, based in the Netherlands, has over 15 years of experience in the waste recycling market and operates throughout the UK. This rapidly increasing sector recycles incinerator bottom ash (IBA) from energy from waste facilities (EfWs), the preferred waste disposal method that eliminates the need for landfills.

Rock Solid can extract and recycle metals and aggregates from IBA residue using a regulated, high-performance screening process. By using this approach, Rock Solid supports the circular economy and helps the UK reach its Zero Waste sustainability targets while protecting our natural aggregate resources.

Over the previous 3 years in the UK, Rock Solid has diverted over 2.49m tonnes of garbage from landfill, recycled over 50,000 tonnes of metal, and produced 450,000 tonnes of construction aggregate, with growth estimates suggesting an annual production of 460,000 tonnes by 2025.

Jamie Greenwood, Commercial Manager for Rock Solid UK, provides us with an overview of the firm. The process begins at energy from garbage plants, which take household and commercial waste from local authorities and commercial waste producers. In these contemporary, controlled facilities, waste is burned to create heat and steam. The generated steam powers turbines to create renewable energy for the national grid or local community. New EfWs operate with some of the most modern technology in the industry, resulting in a safer, more efficient, and cleaner operation. This innovative technology helps Rock Solid produce a cleaner, more industry-compliant end result.

This innovative technology helps Rock Solid produce a cleaner, more industry-compliant end result.

What is IBA? Incinerator Bottom Ash (IBA) is the EfW facility’s incineration residue. Stone, concrete, brick, glass, ceramics, and recyclable metals are among the residues.

Rock Solid’s IBA role Rock Solid uses extremely efficient processing systems using vibrating screens, overbelt magnets, Eddy Current Separators, and manual picking stations to screen, filter, and separate IBA to recover recyclable metals. After the metals are removed, the residual aggregate is graded into single sizes from 0/2mm to 40mm or blended into a 0/40mm subbase material.

What is IBA Aggregate? IBA aggregate has been used for almost 20 years in England and Europe to build highways, pavements, car parks, and industrial and commercial unit bases. IBAA is now a secondary source. IBA aggregate has remarkable physical qualities for subbase, bulk fill, and capping. End of Waste-approved material can be used as pipe bedding or to substitute virgin aggregates in concrete.

Does IBA Aggregate have any environmental requirements? Rock Solid fully embraces the fact that IBA Aggregate is made from recycled trash, and works closely with the necessary environmental agencies, which have approved IBAA for use as a construction aggregate. Rock Solid has a dedicated technical, quality, and environmental assessment team that can advise on project design, material application, and placement. Rock Solid is committed to working with our customers to ensure compliance with environmental rules and a controlled approach to complement the building project’s sustainability commitments.

IBA Aggregate’s perks It helps the project’s environmental goals as well as the circular economy and carbon footprint reduction. The material is non-frost sustaining, non-plastic, has a low bulk density ratio, and has moderate cementitious qualities. IBAA can be combined with other aggregates to meet extra specs and minimise building costs. Rock Solid’s consistent feedstock allows them to deliver IBA Aggregate to the building market.

Unapproved structural designs prompt a new code of practice

Original Source: Concerns over unapproved structural designs creates call for new code of practice

An experienced chartered engineer has warned that the structural designs of many recent UK buildings may be non-compliant and advocated stronger control of the building sector.

The chartered engineers anonymously share their concerns in a report on the safety information provider, Collaborative Report for Safer Structures UK (Cross-UK). Why?

• Unqualified client engineer
• An engineer provides an incomplete design, such as beams without bearings, bases, or sway resistance.
• Failure to hire a checking engineer
• Client, builder, or building control officer makes structural design changes on site without structural engineer guidance.

The reporter believes some of these oversights are due to inappropriate cost-cutting by the client; the willingness of some designers to take on engineering design work for which they are not experienced or qualified; the willingness of some professional engineers and building control bodies to offer a partial service; or the willingness of some building control officers to make decisions on structural issues without consulting a structural engineer.

Cross-incident UK’s report includes suggestions for reducing the likelihood of unsafe construction being designed and built. The major advice is to have a project engineer responsible for project design and subcontractor coordination.

Cross-UK advises that if this isn’t practicable, clients should be made aware of the limits of their design obligations and the need for another party to coordinate the structural design.

The writer urges the industry to warn clients and builders that many designers aren’t qualified, competent, or experienced enough to do the necessary design work and to have a chartered engineer examine the design.

The reporter thinks building control bodies need qualified inspectors. If builders don’t have checking engineers, it should be noted on the completion certificate.

Cross-expert UK’s panel said these complaints “are likely familiar to many readers and are reported on by Cross often.”

Cross-UK proposes a new code for permanent building projects. This is analogous to the code of practice for temporary work processes and acceptable stress design of falsework, which requires increasing examination based on the structure’s complexity. Cross-UK says “a legislated need is difficult to disobey; it becomes’ the standard way of doing things’.”

Most structural design organisations have adopted effective validation regimes, and a tougher regime is coming for some permanent works design as required by the Building Safety Act.

Cross-UK noted, “We need to ensure proper quality control for design and execution, including adequate design, checking, contractor monitoring, and independent supervision by trained and experienced employees.” As in much of our sector, clients are crucial, even for minor operations, because they can choose skilled and experienced advisers.

“Clients should constantly check the qualifications of building specialists they hire. Along with projected resources, experience, training, and qualifications should be evaluated. Clients can check references to determine a design firm’s expertise. The HSE provided information for home and commercial clients regarding their legal responsibilities under the Construction (Design and Management) Regulations 2015.

“Firms or individual engineers acting as designers must know their suitability for particular jobs.â€� People must be competent to do offered duties, use suitable skills, experience, and knowledge, and respect safety. The Institution of Structural Engineers’ Business Practice Note No. 15: Competency discusses engineer competency, ethics, and restrictions.

The reporter also emphasises the requirement for a project engineer to oversee the design. Someone must take ownership and total responsibility (sometimes called the controlling mind). On short projects, this is generally one person, but on larger projects, depending on scale and complexity, a team with the necessary expertise and experience to manage risk and ensure success may be appropriate.

Summary of today’s construction news

In today’s construction news, a 2,000-pound piece of equipment that fell on top of a construction worker in New York early on Monday morning caused the victim’s death. According to officials from the New York City Police Department and the Department of Buildings, the worker was at 1 Java Street attempting to attach an extension arm to an excavator when the arm collapsed.

On the other hand, the Building Research Establishment (BRE) granted the first Level 2 BIM compliance certification in the UK to BDP. Since the beginning of this decade, they have included BIM as an essential part of every single one of their projects. They view it as a tool, similar to a pencil and paper, that assists us in delivering improved construction outcomes to our customers.

In addition, using a controlled, high-throughput screening method, Rock Solid is able to recover metals and aggregates from IBA leftovers for reuse. Rock Solid is committed to the circular economy and is assisting the United Kingdom in meeting its Zero Waste sustainability targets through this method while also safeguarding our natural aggregate resources.

Over and above that, the report from Cross-incident UK provides recommendations for lowering the possibility of unsafe building design and construction. The most important piece of guidance is to hire a project engineer to oversee the entire project’s design and subcontractor coordination.