See all forum discussions about NC-2009 MRc4
 Subscribe to new posts about NC-2009 MRc4 Post a new question aboutNC-2009 MRc4
See LEEDuser’s guidance on NC-2009 MRc4»
FAQs about MRc4 :

I have recycled content information for a product, but it doesn’t specify whether it is pre-consumer or post-consumer. What should I do?

The recycled content percentage on the product data sheet is given as a range. What should I do?

The manufacturer can't give me product-specific recycled content data, but they say that they fall within the national industry average. Can I use that?

Is the default average recycled content value of 25% for steel still allowed?

Can site materials, such as soil, be included in the MR credit calculations?

Are there recycled content claims that I should be wary of?

Can I count FSC-certified MDF toward both MRc4 and MRc7?

If I have one cut sheet that meets the LEED 2009 requirement to upload 20% of cut sheets by cost, for this credit, is that acceptable?

View answers »

Forum discussion

NC-2009 MRc4:Recycled Content

Cementitious Materials Calculation

Profile picture for user robert_andrews
Robert Andrews
Partner - Managing Director Boston Office
AHA Consulting Engineers, Inc.
LEEDuser Basic Member
14 thumbs up

For recycled content of concrete, I followed the "Sample Supplementary Cementitious Materials Calculation" in the LEED reference guide to find the recycled content value. I put this price in the "Sustainable Criteria Value ($)" column in the Materials Calculator. For our project, we're using the actual cost of materials, not the 0.45 multiplier. In the "Material Cost ($)" column, do we put the cost of the concrete mix or the cost of the cementitious materials only? It seems like putting the cost of concrete would cancel out the reason behind the cementitious materials calculation, but it also seems strange to leave out the cost of the non-cementitious materials (especially if we want to count those toward the regional materials credit). And either way, do we just leave out the pre- and post-consumer content percentage since we're putting a price into the spreadsheet directly? Thanks, Roxanne

1
Post a reply

You rely on LEEDuser. Can we rely on you?

LEEDuser is supported by our premium members, not by advertisers.

Go premium for $15.95  »

Default Avatar
LEEDuser Expert
472 thumbs up

Tue, 11/05/2013 - 19:53

Roxanne - It is unfortunate the Supplementary Cementitious Materials Calculation in the Reference Guide does not jive with BDC Materials and Resource Calculator (Calculator). I recently updated the SCM spreadsheet that I use to mesh with the Calculator for fly ash. I took the last column from the example in the Reference Guide times the number of yards of concrete times two (to overcome pre-consumer reduction) and entered that as the Material Cost ($) in the Calculator. Then I used 100% in the Percent Pre-Consumer column for the Recycled Content to end up with a Sustainable Criteria Value that is 50% of the Materials Cost. If the SCM is local, enter the correct percentage into the Percent Regional column. I know it seems strange to leave out the costs of the non-cementitious materials but that is how it works for SCMs. If the rest of the non- cementitious materials are local, you need to enter the remaining cost of them as a separate line item and then enter the correct percentage into the Percent Regional column.

Add new comment

To post a comment, you need to register for a LEEDuser Basic membership (free) or login to your existing profile.