Seminar on Sustainable Concrete hosted jointly by EcoSmart and the American University in Dubai

In the context of construction in the demanding conditions of the UAE, this free seminar will cover:

advantages and planning for green buildings; materials and computer modeling for concrete durability;

tests on, designs for and performance of EcoSmart Concrete;

and the implications of EcoSmart Concrete for structural design and construction.

Background

Ensuring that concrete structures are sustainable both from a durability and resource use perspective is increasingly a major challenge for developers, architects, engineers and contractors. EcoSmart is a notforprofit Canadian corporation specializing in making innovative technologies for sustainability available to the construction sector.

In the UAE its emphasis is on the use of EcoSmart Concrete, which is a carefully engineered material containing very high volumes of such supplementary cementing materials (SCM) as fly ash and ground blast furnace slag. EcoSmart Concrete, when properly engineered, is stronger and more durable than conventional concrete. It is also typically cheaper.

EcoSmart is working with the Government of Canada to make the EcoSmart Concrete technology available at no charge to interested parties in the UAE. In this effort, EcoSmart is working with several organizations in the UAE and is pleased to co-present this seminar through its partnership with the American University in Dubai (AUD).

Outline of Seminar

In the context of construction in the demanding conditions of the UAE, this free seminar will
cover:

advantages and planning for green buildings;

materials and computer modeling for
concrete durability;

tests on, designs for and performance of EcoSmart Concrete;

and the implications of EcoSmart Concrete for structural design and construction.

There will also be short presentations by representatives of the Government of Canada on Canada's reasons for supporting EcoSmart's work, and on its link to climate change.

Benefits to attendees

Participants will learn from experienced industry professionals about:

the benefits of green building technology including the potential for earning greenhouse gas emission credits in a time when climate change is having a global impact on building design and operation;

durability and related materials selection in major UAE construction projects;

advanced modeling for concrete durability;

and the long term performance of EcoSmart Concrete.

Confirmed speakers at this seminar include:


• James Aldred of GHD Global, who manages the Independent Verification and Testing for
Burj Dubai Tower, Dubai, UAE


• Denis Beaupré, Technical Manager for Unibeton ReadyMix, Abu Dhabi and formerly professor of Civil Engineering at Laval University, Quebec, Canada


• Michel de Spot, President of EcoSmart, and a LEED Accredited Professional, Vancouver,
Canada


• David Fox, senior structural engineer, Halcrow Yolles, Toronto, Canada


• Kerri Henry, GHG Technology Officer, Natural Resources Canada, Ottawa, Canada


• Nils Larsson, Executive Director, International Initiative for the Sustainable Built Environment, Ottawa, Canada


• Jacques Marchand, President of SEM Inc. and Professor of Civil Engineering, University
of Laval, Quebec, Canada


• Sadek Owainati, Founder and Chairman, Emirates Green Building Council, Dubai, UAE


• Phil Seabrook, Executive Vice President, Levelton Consultants Ltd. Vancouver, Canada