Masonry Magazine May 2012 Page. 57
Green Alternative to Portland Cement
For every ton of Portland cement that is manufactured, about 1.25 tons of carbon dioxide is released into our atmosphere, with many hundreds of pounds of heavy metals eventually entering into our water systems air and ocean. Each of the prior research attempts at finding an alternative process to manufacture a cementitous alternative to the Portland process has had difficulties.
Two-part systems, expensive hardeners and plasticizers and caustic chemicals, all trying to use fly ash and other pozzolan materials, have been utilized in these research models worldwide with little success.
The jury now is in on Blue Crete, a green alternative to Portland cement. This high-performance cement has its genesis in marine life and proves to be a "natural" alternative to the Portland industry. It has twice the compression strength of Portland, and three times the tensile strength, with all of the desirable characteristics of geo-polymers without the price tag.
Researchers at Blue World Crete in Pompano Beach, Fla., announced the findings more than a year ago, and now have had their product tested by some of the leaders in the worldwide cement industry. Some are now negotiating with Blue World Crete Inc. for the rights to use the new green technology for the production of this green cement, Blue Crete.
Says Art Galietti, COO of Blue World Crete Inc., cement can be manufactured in portable plants simply by mixing a natural, green, marine-based, fully sustainable, catalytic material, with natural aggregates and a little water, no heating or large kilns required. This technology could be a boon to the cement industry in remote areas of the world, as these portable plants can be set up to manufacture the cement without the costly investment now required by the Portland process. This new process not only is an advantage for those already in the cement business, but also can be a real advantage to large consumers of cement who wish to manufacture their own cement.
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MCAA Certification Calendar
The following is the MCAA's education calendar for certification:
May 15
MCAA Safety Forum - TBD
ONLINE
Discipline: Safety
Credits: 1
May 16
Understanding Masonry Codes and Standards
ONLINE
Discipline: Codes and Standards
Credits: 3
May 23
Masonry Mortars and Grouts
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Discipline: Masonry Products
Credits: 1.5
May 30
Structural Lessons from Hurricanes and Tornadoes
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Discipline: Codes and Standards
Credits: 1
June 6
Background Check Pitfalls
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Discipline: Ethics and Business Practices
Credits: 1
June 13
Leadership High Payoff Activities
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Credits: 1
June 19
MCAA Safety Forum - TBD
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Discipline: Safety
Credits: 1
June 20
Water Resistant Masonry
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June 27
Stone Fabrication for Restoration and New Construction
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July 11
Union Salting
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July 18
New Union Activities
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July 25
Obstacles to Leadership High Payoff Activities
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Credits: 1
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29 CFR 1926 Subpart R Steel Erection
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Analyzing Financial Statements Advanced
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Credits: 3
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Arbitration and Mediation
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Beryllium and Cadmium Hazards in the Workplace
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Credits: 1
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Bloodborne Pathogens
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Brick Efflorescence, Stains and Cleaning
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Online classes available at www.masoncontractors.org. We now offer Masonry Live Education Webinars on Wednesdays at 9 a.m. CST.
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May 2012
MASONRY
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