understanding the building material supply chain

 

by Dirk Kestner, P.E., LEED AP, and Greg Briggs, P.E., S.E., LEED AP

From the September 2010 issue of Structural Engineering & Design

"Have you wondered why most grocery stores stock large amounts of organic foods? The organic food market has increased approximately seven times over what it was a decade ago. Why the big change in this market? It comes down to simple supply and demand. The consumer has become better educated on how food is produced and is now demanding better alternatives. Although building materials are not "organically" grown, the structural engineer does need to become better educated on how materials they specify are made..."