Glossary L Terms
Latham (Sir Michael)
The author of the 1994 report, "Constructing the Team", which recommended non-confrontational relations in construction and promoted the concept of 'partnering'.
Length
Length is generally not a problem. We have made and transported units over 24m long.
Letter of Intent
If so instructed in the letter we are prepared to undertake the design and drawing stages on a project for which we have a Letter of Intent. Manufacture commences when we enter into a more formal arrangement.
Lifting
Lift operations are undertaken only by fully trained and certificated employees. Trent's maximum lifting capacity is 40 Tonnes.
Lime Bloom
A white deposit on the face of early age concrete, most noticeable on pigmented mixes. Free lime in the cement combines with carbon dioxide in the atmosphere to form calcium carbonate – the white deposits. Lime bloom stops when the free lime is exhausted, a process that takes several months. Lime Bloom is best left to be removed by weathering in our yard or on site.
Load Bearing
The decorative architectural mixes we design all have high strength and can be readily used to cast structural load bearing columns, beams and walls. (See also Hardwall).
Loose Fittings
Components supplied to site to restrain the cladding panels to the structure.
Laitence
The fine material on the as-cast surface of concrete. Crazing can occur in this surface, which may be promoted by 'floury' sands.
Lifetime Costing
Calculating the real cost of owning and running a building over its lifetime. Since lifetime costs are at least 7x and up to 20x the initial building cost, decisions on energy management and maintenance can have a dramatic impact, even if measures used would increase the initial cost.