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The Reinforced Concrete Council, in collaboration with BCA and Phoenix Systems, has launched a suite of CD-ROM learning packages to cover concrete materials, design and construction.

Called CALcrete, the modular suite covers precast concrete, prestressed concrete, foundations and retaining walls, reinforced concrete design, cement and concrete in pavement construction, concrete bridges, concrete site practice and drawing and detailing.

The CD also includes the council's suite of design spreadsheets to help with the rapid production of design calculations for reinforced concrete elements, including topics such as punching shear, post-tensioned slabs and foundation pads. The spreadsheet package includes a user guide.

An interactive library of 30 technical case studies and design guide applications published by the council is also on the disc. To help find information, the library includes a search facility.

The modules can be run from the CD or copied to a hard drive.
Reinforced Concrete Council

Bridge-strengthening props
A-Plant Acrow's 1000 kN Heavy Support prop was used by contractor John Mowlem on a bridge-strengthening project for the M62 Kirklees viaduct in West Yorkshire. The props were used to carry the load of the viaduct while the bearing assemblies at the top of each of the bridge's supporting legs were replaced. More than 1000 props were used, in varying lengths arranged in square grids around the legs.
A-Plant Acrow

Off-the-shelf cast-stone dressings
Forticrete has unveiled an off-the-shelf range of cast-stone dressings for housebuilders and specifiers. The range will enable just-in-time deliveries to sites, cutting down on site storage and the possibility of damage. The dressings are suitable for use with natural stone, masonry or brickwork and include Regency Ashlar masonry, quoins, plinths, cills, keystones, corbels and copings in a choice of designs and sizes. All components are stocked in buff colour.
Forticrete Architectural Products

Adhesive bonding kits
Mitre-Mate adhesive has been launched in a range of different-sized bonding kits for MDF, softwoods, rubber, most plastics, fabrics and most metals. The manufacturer TLIP claims that the adhesive creates a bond stronger than the components themselves. The range is now available in 20 and 100 g kits, complete with 75 and 400 ml activator packs.
TLIP Adhesives

Buff-coloured bricks
Ibstock Brick is expanding its colour range with the addition of two bricks, Atlas Smooth Barley and Atlas Wirecut Barley. The plain buff-coloured brick has sharp lines, creating clean and precise brickwork with a uniform colour. The manufacturer also produces a range of shaped bricks in a cut-and-bond format.
Ibstock ºÚ¶´ÉçÇø Products

Lintels for police station
More than 140 lintels from the Catnic Cougar range have been supplied for the construction of a police station near Hull. The lintels feature integral insulation, corrosion protection, DPC and a key to adhere plaster. The units are suitable for cavities from 50 to 150 mm and are available in standard lengths from 750 to 4800 mm.
Catnic

Steel frame for PFI schools
Metsec Framing's light-gauge, steel-frame superstructure system has been used in the construction of an extension to two PFI schools. The company says the frame was specified because it can be erected quickly and with minimal site disruption. The structures are built from a Metsec ringbeam and bolted together on site; studs up to 150 mm deep were used to support the external walls, while the 130 mm deep concrete floor slab was supported on composite C-section double joists. The roof was constructed on lightweight curved lattice beams. The structure took just 15 weeks to erect.
Metsec Framing

Brise soleil systems
Levolux has launched a range of brise-soleil systems designed to provide a sunscreen and to allow access for maintenance. The walk-on louvres are manufactured from lightweight aluminium components with a non-slip top section and are cantilevered from the face of the building. The units can be provided with a handrail or a latch-way system for safety.
Levolux