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About NGCC
The Network Group for Composites in Construction (NGCC) represents composites in the construction industry in the UK and unites its members in one body. Its membership covers all sectors of the industry. Activities of NGCC include dissemination of information and news, forums for collaboration and networking, and providing a central focus for those needing support within the industry.
Representing composites in construction in KTNs
NGCC represents composites in the construction industry within the UK government funded Knowledge Transfer Networks (KTNs), in particular the National Composites Network (NCN), Materials UK (MatUK) and the KTN for the Modern Built Environment.
FRPs in construction
FRPs were first developed during the 1940s, for military and aerospace applications. Considerable advances have been made since then in the use of this material and applications developed in the construction sector. FRPs have been successfully used in many construction applications including load bearing and infill panels, pressure pipes, tanks and tank liners, roofs, and complete structures where FRP units are connected together to form the complete system in which the shape provides the rigidity.
In the last decade, FRPs have found application in the construction sector in areas such as bridge repair, bridge design, mooring cables, structural strengthening and stand-alone components. FRPs offer the designer a combination of properties not available in traditional materials:
- light weight
- excellent durability
- resistance to corrosion
- good specific mechanical properties
- readily formed to complex shapes
- modular construction
- ability to tailor mechanical properties
- can be manufactured to any length
- in-built surface preparation
- greater efficiency in construction compared with the more conventional materials.
Member organisations
NGCC membership covers all sectors of the construction and composite communities, including architects, engineers, specifiers, materials suppliers, manufacturers, end-users, asset owners and academia.
Member benefits
The NGCC offers a wide range of services for all members.
- Regular networking with a wide range of building and composites professionals including architects, end-users, contractors, materials suppliers, manufacturers, engineers and academia.
- Continued professional development through the NGCC training events
- Reduced delegate rates for NGCC courses
- One free delegate place at all NGCC conferences and seminars, with reduced rate for additional delegates attending.
- Priority to exhibit at NGCC events and reach a wide construction audience.
- Quarterly electronic newsletter circulated to the construction industry - an opportunity to feature new developments, case studies, products, events and new University research to a targeted audience.
- Be a part of the Who's who in composites in construction database - enquiries received via the NGCC helpdesk will be passed on to the relevant NGCC member.
- Web-based case histories database in public area - an opportunity to showcase new products and technology.
- Improved collaboration between research institutes and industry.
- An inside track on what's happening with composites in construction through being part of the NGCC task and sub-groups.
- Access to the members area of the NGCC website.
- Access to technical composites information via the website.
Further information
For more information please visit our website at www.ngcc.org.uk or alternatively e-mail ngcc@netcomposites.com
Project on Recycling Construction Waste
BeAware - Research project to reduce waste and improve efficiency
A consortium of construction products manufacturers participated in a TSB and industry funded project called BeAware - Built Environment Action on Waste Awareness and Resource Efficiency. The project ran from November 2005 to July 2008.
The construction industry accounts for over 150 million tonnes of UK waste, of which 40% is from product manufacture. More waste arises further down the supply chain from packaging and end of life waste.
BeAware is helping construction product manufacturers to make more efficient use of materials and processes. Use of resources and waste generation associated with the product across its supply chain are the two key areas of focus.
The project, managed by BRE, worked in partnership with an industry consortium led by a steering group chaired by the Construction Products Association. The consortium included representative bodies from the timber and woodworking, plastics, composites and concrete manufacturing industries, the packaging sector, modern methods of construction, construction clients and advisors, waste processors and technical experts.
BeAware examined 20 construction products to identify possible resource efficiency improvements. A simplified environmental assessment was carried out on the products using life cycle assessment (LCA) data. The supply chain for each product was also investigated to ascertain where resource efficiency improvements could be implemented. This involved examining how a product is distributed, installed, maintained and eventually disposed of. A number of sector workshops were also held to pull together further information.
The product assessment results and workshop outcomes have been used to produce a series of BeAware sector guidance reports that can be freely downloaded from the publications page.
For further information click here.
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