Worksites of the future

Feicon carries out an interactive exhibition of innovative systems to reduce environmental impact in worksites

The rising awareness on environmental questions is leading to a redesign in the civil construction industry. Such innovations could be seen in the 23rd Salão Internacional da Construção e Arquitetura (Feicon Batimat), the Expo Arquitetura Sustentável and the Pollutec Brasil, carried out in the city of São Paulo from April 4 to 8. The highlight of the event was the Worksite of the future promoted by the Green Building magazine, which exhibited more than 100 innovative products and systems and allowed the visitors to develop interactive experiences.

Using a background that presents the several phases of a worksite, the exhibition was designed by Sustentech—consultant in services of sustainability—that gathered systems that could offer economy of materials, labor safety and comfort, attention to worksite environments, separation and recycling of materials, technologic innovation, decreasing in the emission of pollutants and versatility in the worksite.

In the representation of a commercial building construction the visitors could check the phases of foundation, structure and finishing and see actual worksite installations including canteen, dressing room, chemical toilet, warehouse and service yards.

Phases of construction works such as concrete cooling, dust control, noise measurement, crushing plant for recycling of debris and system of wheel washing were also presented. Details that pass unnoticed such as protection of sewer grates, basins for leakage confinement and slope protections were also highlighted. The use of certified lumber, as well as products for finishing such as painting, floor installation and sanitary metals could also be checked.

Caterpilar and Sotreq—providers of Cat solutions in Brazil—brought the Cat® skid steer loader and the GEP125 generator set, versatile products that have several options of working tools. With emission-controlled engine that comply with PROCONVE MAR-1 (equivalent to Tier 4 interim) regulations, the machines have reduced consumption and emissions. “Machines that increase productivity and at the same time reduce environmental impact are being proposed to the companies. This ensures higher efficiency and return to our clients”, says João Rocha, product consultant of the construction unit from Sotreq. The generator meets the standards of European emissions Stage 2 and of American emission Tier 2 for exhaust gas pollution control.  With an output power of 125kVA for emergency operation, it has one of the best efficiencies of fuel consumption in the category. It may also be bought with silencing cowl to attend the more restrictive levels of noise control for 65, 75 or 85 Decibels (DbA).

The top point of this little exhibition was the residential prototype built with the Ecogrid, a system based on EPS panels enveloped with galvanized metallic mesh, connected with high-resistance hooks. After assembled, the walls receive a mortar covering and then may receive any type of coating. The structure supports up to three floors and already has prototypes in Brazil. The complete solution includes flexible tubes and piping inserted into a groove opened in the structure using heat projection that may be carried out—according to the monitors—even with a hair dryer. This allows high speed in the construction with good thermal and acoustic performance.