Supplementary Cementitious Materials

At Shape, this page acts as the hub for all gathered information pertaining to the fundamental composition and attributes of Supplementary Cementitious Materials (SCMs), investigating their significance in the creation of various building materials. The primary focus lies in comprehending materials at their core components to facilitate the safe and efficient adoption of a raw material strategy for constructing items ranging from masonry and architectural surface finishes like plasters, brick, clays and mortars, to the incorporation of natural elements in construction, all while aiming to educate our audience extensively.

Limestone the natural source from which calcium is derived is one on the most important materials from which many uses are derived. History Another lime-based product was whitewash, which was quicklime that had been saturated with water and then mixed with glue. Lime was also processed into similar whiting materials, such as “bleaching powder,” and was used in the paper industry to break down rag pulp. Other uses for lime included hair removal in the tanning industry, as an ingredient in soap making, and as a fluxing agent in glass making and iron ore smelting. Another common use for lime was as a neutralizing agent or “fertilizer” for agriculture.

Limestone, the natural source of calcium, is a crucial material with diverse applications. In history, lime-based products like whitewash, made by mixing quicklime with water and glue, were popular. Lime was also used to create materials like "bleaching powder" and aid in the breakdown of rag pulp in the paper industry. It found uses in the tanning industry for hair removal, as an ingredient in soap making, and as a fluxing agent in glass making and iron ore smelting. Additionally, lime was commonly employed in agriculture as a neutralizing agent or "fertilizer.".

Lime holds significant importance in the traditional construction history due to its versatility as a material. It serves as a binder in various applications such as building, pointing, rendering, plastering, flooring, grouting, and forming lime concrete. It can be combined with other substances for decorative purposes or diluted with water to create a protective layer. The physical characteristics of lime vary based on its source rock, influencing the properties of lime mortars. Lime mortars are highly compatible with traditional construction materials, offering good water vapor permeability, flexibility under stress, and limited self-healing capabilities through the repositioning of lime to seal small cracks over time. In contrast, cement mortars are fragile, prone to cracking, and lack self-healing properties. Lime utilized in construction is typically derived from calcium or magnesium carbonate minerals, predominantly quarried limestone in England, although some regions used seashells. Various types of lime exist, each tailored for specific applications. The initial step in lime production involves burning the raw carbonate material in a kiln.

References

Water tight walls: NATIONAL LIME ASSOCIATION BUILDING LIME GROUP

Brick and CMU construction: MASONRY INSTITUTE OF WASHINGTON

Mortars Renders and Plasters: ENGLISH HERITAGE ORGANIZATION

Basics of Lime: LIME.ORG

concrete cracks

On the topic of “quality”

David Pye's views on the concept of quality in workmanship and art can be summarized as follows: Pye distinguished between the "workmanship of risk" and the "workmanship of certainty". The former relies on the maker's judgment, dexterity, and care during the creation process to determine the final quality, while the latter pertains to standardized industrial production where each item is essentially identical. Pye asserted that true quality in art and craftsmanship stems from the workmanship of risk, where the maker's skill and judgment shape the outcome in an unpredictable manner. He acknowledged that while the workmanship of risk is essential for imbuing objects with unique quality and human touch, the workmanship of certainty, leading to standardization, may be more suitable for certain products like cars. Pye emphasized that quality is not solely dependent on design; the maker's skill and craftsmanship play a crucial role in infusing an object with lasting quality and aesthetic value. He viewed workmanship as an art form and stressed the importance of recognizing and valuing it to maintain the quality of our environment. Pye underscored the significance of skilled human makers in creating objects of true quality and artistic merit through their judgment, expertise, and willingness to take risks during the creative process.

Christopher Alexander also made a distinction between the "workmanship of risk" and the "workmanship of certainty." He argued that true quality arises from the workmanship of risk, where the maker's skill and judgment shape the final outcome in a way that cannot be precisely predetermined. In contrast, mass production lacks this human element of risk.

Quality, according to Alexander, is not solely determined by design; the workmanship and skill of the maker play an equally if not more critical role in infusing an object with a quality that transcends the designer's intent.

He introduced the concept of "Quality Without A Name" (QWAN) to depict a profound sense of wholeness, comfort, and human adaptation that well-designed spaces and artifacts can elicit. Alexander viewed this quality as originating from an environment rich in timeless design patterns that resonate with human sensibilities.

The prevalence of modernist, mechanistic thinking, which disregarded human emotional needs, led to the decline of the QWAN and true quality in architecture, Alexander argued. Reinstating this quality necessitated a return to traditional design patterns aligned with the human experience.

To achieve spaces imbued with the QWAN and genuine quality, Alexander proposed involving ordinary people in the design process through participatory approaches, rather than solely relying on trained architects imposing abstract concepts.

Overall, Christopher Alexander underscored the significance of skilled human workmanship, timeless design patterns grounded in tradition, and participatory processes in fashioning architecture and environments of profound quality that resonate with human sensibilities and emotions.

The critical importance of consistency in mass-produced food and franchise operations:

Consistency has become a hallmark of fast food chains, where meals taste essentially the same across all locations. This consistency is achieved through mass production of food items in factories using standardized recipes, processes, and ingredients.
Chains rely on centralized distribution networks that deliver the same pre-made or semi-prepared food products to all restaurant locations. This ensures uniformity in ingredients and preparation methods.
Detailed instructions, photos, and strict portion control measures are provided to ensure employees at every location prepare and present dishes identically, down to the number of toppings or garnishes.
Maintaining consistency helps chains ensure dependability and customer loyalty. Consumers know exactly what to expect in terms of taste and presentation, regardless of location.
For large food manufacturers, consistency is crucial for quality control, customer satisfaction, and profitability. Even minor inconsistencies in recipes or processes can lead to food waste, lost labor, and dissatisfied customers.
Achieving consistency requires properly trained staff following standardized procedures, replicating menu items precisely, and controlling every stage of the production line through automation, technology, and rigorous quality checks.

In essence, the mass production model adopted by major food franchises and manufacturers places a premium on absolute consistency as a means to deliver dependable quality, meet consumer expectations, minimize waste, and protect profitability across all locations and product runs.

David Pye had some insightful views on the concept of quality in workmanship and art. Here are the key points:

- Pye made a distinction between the "workmanship of risk" and the "workmanship of certainty". The workmanship of risk refers to when the quality of the final result depends on the judgment, dexterity and care exercised by the maker during the process. The workmanship of certainty refers to industrial production where each item comes out essentially identical.

- Pye argued that true quality in art and craftsmanship comes from the workmanship of risk, where the maker's skill and judgment shape the final outcome in a way that cannot be precisely predetermined. Mass-produced industrial objects lack this element of risk and human variation.

- However, Pye did not see the workmanship of risk as inherently better than certainty. He acknowledged that for certain products like cars, the workmanship of certainty leading to standardization is more desirable.

- Pye believed that quality is not solely determined by design - the workmanship and skill of the maker is equally if not more important in imbuing an object with quality that goes beyond just the designer's intent.

- He saw workmanship as an art form in itself, stating "Unless workmanship comes to be understood and appreciated for the art it is, our environment will lose much of the quality it still retains."

In essence, Pye highlighted the role of the skilled human maker in creating objects of true quality and artistic merit through their judgment and risk-taking during the making process itself.

Christopher Alexander, (architectural theorist)

- Alexander made a distinction between the "workmanship of risk" and the "workmanship of certainty". He argued that true quality comes from the workmanship of risk, where the skill and judgment of the maker shapes the final outcome in a way that cannot be precisely predetermined. Mass production lacks this human element of risk.

- He believed quality is not solely determined by design - the workmanship and skill of the maker is equally if not more important in imbuing an object with a quality that goes beyond just the designer's intent.

- Alexander introduced the concept of the "Quality Without A Name" (QWAN) to describe a profound feeling of wholeness, comfort and human adaptation that well-designed spaces and artifacts can evoke. He saw this quality as stemming from an environment rich in certain timeless design patterns that connect to human sensibilities.

- He argued that the QWAN and true quality in architecture had become largely extinct due to the dominance of modernist, mechanistic thinking that ignored human emotional needs. Reviving this quality required rediscovering traditional design patterns adapted to the human experience.

- Alexander believed that for spaces to have the QWAN and be truly high quality, ordinary people should have a hand in shaping their design through a participatory process, not just trained architects imposing abstract concepts.

In essence, Alexander highlighted the role of skilled human workmanship, timeless design patterns rooted in tradition, and participatory processes in creating architecture and environments of true, profound quality that resonate with human sensibilities and emotions.

The critical importance of consistency in mass-produced food and franchise operations:

- Consistency has become a hallmark of fast food chains, where meals taste essentially the same across all locations. This consistency is achieved through mass production of food items in factories using standardized recipes, processes, and ingredients.

- Chains rely on centralized distribution networks that deliver the same pre-made or semi-prepared food products to all restaurant locations. This ensures uniformity in ingredients and preparation methods.

- Detailed instructions, photos, and strict portion control measures are provided to ensure employees at every location prepare and present dishes identically, down to the number of toppings or garnishes.

- Maintaining consistency helps chains ensure dependability and customer loyalty. Consumers know exactly what to expect in terms of taste and presentation, regardless of location.

- For large food manufacturers, consistency is crucial for quality control, customer satisfaction, and profitability. Even minor inconsistencies in recipes or processes can lead to food waste, lost labor, and dissatisfied customers.

- Achieving consistency requires properly trained staff following standardized procedures, replicating menu items precisely, and controlling every stage of the production line through automation, technology, and rigorous quality checks.

The manufacturing industry has taught us that uniformity and consistency are essential for achieving high quality products. Here are some key lessons:

- Consistency ensures predictable performance and minimizes defects. By standardizing processes and materials, manufacturers can reliably produce items that meet specifications every time. Even minor variations can lead to quality issues.

- Uniformity allows for interchangeability of parts and components. Consistent dimensions, tolerances, and specifications enable components from different production runs or suppliers to work together seamlessly in an assembly.

- Automated production lines and mass manufacturing rely heavily on uniformity. Identical parts moving through the same repeatable processes allow for efficient, high-volume output of quality goods.

- Quality control and inspections are greatly simplified when products are uniform. Deviations from the expected standard are easily identified, allowing for corrective actions.

- Consistency reduces waste, rework, and customer rejections/returns, improving profitability. Lack of uniformity leads to more products failing to meet requirements.

- Brand reputation and customer loyalty hinge on delivering a consistently high-quality product time after time. Variations in quality are perceived negatively.

- In industries like aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, uniformity is critical for safety and regulatory compliance in addition to quality.[1][2][3]

The manufacturing world has realized that investing in standardized processes, advanced quality control, rigorous inspections, and automation to ensure uniformity pays off through higher quality, lower costs, and satisfied customers. Consistency has become a hallmark of well-run production operations.

## Perspective 1: Consistency and Uniformity as the Path to Higher Quality

In the pursuit of quality, consistency and uniformity should be the guiding principles. True quality arises from the ability to repeatedly produce goods or services that meet exacting standards and specifications, without variation or defects. This level of consistency can only be achieved through standardized processes, rigorous quality control measures, and the elimination of human error and subjectivity.

Uniformity in manufacturing processes, materials, and components is essential for ensuring interchangeability, predictable performance, and adherence to safety and regulatory requirements. Automated production lines and advanced quality control systems are designed to detect and eliminate even the slightest deviations from the established norms, minimizing the risk of defects and ensuring that every product meets the same high standards.

Moreover, consistency is crucial for building brand reputation and customer loyalty. Consumers expect a product or service to deliver the same level of quality every time, regardless of location or production run. Inconsistencies in quality are perceived negatively and can quickly erode trust in a brand.

In industries such as aerospace, automotive, and medical devices, where safety is paramount, uniformity and consistency are not just desirable but mandatory. Even minor variations in components or processes can have catastrophic consequences, making consistency an absolute necessity.

While the human element and workmanship of risk may have their place in certain artistic or craft-based endeavors, in the realm of mass production and large-scale operations, consistency and uniformity are the keys to achieving true quality.

## Perspective 2: Quality Arises from the Workmanship of Risk

While consistency and uniformity have their merits, true quality cannot be reduced to mere standardization and adherence to specifications. Quality, in its purest and most profound sense, arises from the workmanship of risk – the skilled human touch, the exercise of judgment, and the willingness to embrace the inherent unpredictability of the creative process.

As Christopher Alexander eloquently argued, quality is not solely determined by design or predetermined specifications. It is the workmanship, the art of the maker, that imbues an object or space with a quality that transcends mere functionality – a quality that resonates with human sensibilities and emotions, evoking a sense of wholeness and comfort.

The workmanship of risk acknowledges that true quality cannot be mass-produced or replicated with absolute certainty. It is the result of a skilled artisan's judgment, dexterity, and care, exercised at every step of the making process. It is the willingness to embrace the element of risk, to allow for variations and imperfections that bear the unique imprint of the maker's hand.

Uniformity and consistency, while valuable in certain contexts, can also lead to a sterile, soulless environment devoid of the richness and depth that characterize truly high-quality spaces and objects. It is the workmanship of risk, the human touch, that breathes life and character into our surroundings, creating environments that resonate with our deepest emotional needs.

While mass production and standardization have their place, we must also recognize and celebrate the art of skilled workmanship, the value of tradition, and the importance of participatory processes that allow ordinary people to shape their environments. For it is in these realms that true quality, the "Quality Without A Name," can be found – a quality that transcends mere functionality and speaks to the very essence of what it means to be human.