The concrete industry has embraced innovation and ensured high levels of long-term performance and sustainability through creative applications in design and construction. As a construction material, the versatility of concrete and its intrinsic benefits mean it is still well placed to meet challenges of the construction industry. Indeed, concrete has kept evolving to satisfy ever more stringent, as well as demanding design requirements and calls to improve the performance. This has been achieved through the introduction of new constituent materials, technologies and construction methods.

The current challenges faced by concrete construction may not necessarily be the same as those in the future. However, an ongoing programme of innovation and product development means that concrete should continue to provide cost effective sustainable solutions that are able to turn a challenge into an opportunity.

This book is a collection of papers presented at the International Conference on Excellence in Concrete Construction through Innovation (Kingston-upon-Thames, UK, 9 10 September 2008). Excellence in Concrete Construction through Innovation deals with recent innovation in concrete science, technology and practice, and discusses challenges from new materials, technologies,
environmental concerns and economic factors in maintaining concrete construction excellence. The book will be of interest to engineers, designers, researchers and scientists.

Autoclaved Aerated Concrete (AAC), known in the UK as Aircrete, has gained world-wide recognition as a high quality, innovative construction material which has been extensively used in a wide range of residential, commercial and industrial buildings. Recently there have been a number of innovative developments in AAC manufacturing processes, product properties and construction methods, resulting in enhanced performance to meet increasingly stringent building design requirements whilst ensuring environmental compliance. Indeed, AAC products have shown potential for being a universal material that can underwrite commercial, social, and sustainable development. Innovations and developments in AAC production and usage, forms part of the Proceedings of the two-day International Conference organised by the Concrete and Masonry Research Group at Kingston University, held in September 2005. The Conference deals with issues such as raw materials, manufacturing techniques and product characteristics that satisfy ever more demanding energy, design, structural and environmental requirements for sustainable development.