The Concrete Producer articles from November 2002

The Concrete Producer archives from November 2002

Practicality and good ol' bootstrap research: give yourself credit for inspiring your contractor customers' ingenuity.(Editorial)
November 1, 2002... There's something about concrete that brings out true American practicality. If you don't believe me, just look in the bed of your favorite concrete contractor's pickup. There's bound to be a tool or device that's been handcrafted to increase...

APA announces '02 award winners.(News)(Architectural Precast Association)
November 1, 2002... At its annual convention in St. Petersburg, Fla., last spring, the Architectural Precast Association honored outstanding design and production work on two educational structures and a burial facility. Sharing top honors were Torgersen Hall...

Mentor Driver Program promotes effective communication.(News)
November 1, 2002... The Mentor Driver Program is a cost effective, systematic approach to the education and training of Concrete Delivery Professionals in order to improve skills, knowledge and safe work habits. Establish honest, open lines of communication among...

Online registration available for Dispatcher Training Forum.(News)
November 1, 2002... Registration forms for NRMCA's new Dispatcher Training Forum are available on the Internet. Two 3-day workshops will be held and will be based on the content of The Handbook of Ready-Mixed Concrete Dispatching by Jim Wagner. Additional...

PCA publishes tips on testing.(News)
November 1, 2002... The Portland Cement Association has published a practical guide that describes the basics of performing 22 ASTM and AASHTO concrete and aggregate quality control tests, such as air content, moisture content of aggregates and compressive...

The calculation factory: information systems present the next frontier in customer service: optimization.(E-Concrete)
November 1, 2002... The first goal in the "Vision 2030: A Vision for the U.S. Concrete Industry" document from the industry's Strategic Development Council (SDC) reveals how much the industry will depend on technology to improve service in the years to come: "The...

Corrosion inhibition: invention disrupts a harmful environment using an electrical current.(What's New)
November 1, 2002... Each year, the direct cost of steel corrosion to the U.S. economy is $276 billion, or 3.1% of its gross domestic product. That's according to a study by Houston-based NACE International--The Corrosion Society titled "Corrosion Costs and...

What causes cement balls?(Troubleshooting)
November 1, 2002... Q. How can we eliminate the cement balls that we've recently discovered in our concrete? This problem seemed to start after we recently installed a new batch controller on our transit-mix plant. Before that, we had operated the plant manually....

Status quo no longer: when considering your next dispatch office design, keep in mind how technology is changing the way that you will monitor product delivery.(Cover Story)
November 1, 2002... Each delivery that the concrete producer makes consists of several complex functions. Because each function is actually a distinct stage of a truck's readiness for delivery, programmers must monitor each change. Programmers refer to this...

SCC and profitability: for project partners to understand how SCC can make them more profitable, they need to understand its benefits.(Self-consolidating concrete)
November 1, 2002... This article is based on a presentation by Dr. Szecsy at the first North American Conference on Self-Consolidating Concrete at Northwestern University this month. It's really no surprise that a technology that could solve the concrete...

The numbers don't lie: association's safety contest results serve as useful industry benchmarks.
November 1, 2002... The NRMCA Safety Contest, which is co-sponsored by THE CONCRETE PRODUCER, is designed to recognize safe practices by NRMCA members. Additionally, the purpose of the contest is to gather thorough, accurate industry accident statistics to...

2001 excellence in safety awards.
November 1, 2002... Aggregate Industries, Colorado Brighton (#711), Broomfield (#710) Denver (Bannock #701), Elizabeth (#728), Franktown (#707), Golden (#731), Havana (#703), Huron (#718), Idaho Springs (#717), Johnstown (#736), Littleton (Littleton #725...

ACPA honors safe pipe producers.(American Concrete Pipe Association)
November 1, 2002... The American Concrete Pipe Association (ACPA) recognized its producer members with five different types of awards; the winners of two of the awards are listed below. Plants were categorized according to hours worked in 2001. Group...

NPCA compares members, industrial workforce.(National Precast Concrete Association)
November 1, 2002... Every year, the National Precast Concrete Association (NPCA) measures member companies safety records against those of the industrial workforce as a whole. At the 2002 NPCA Annual Convention held last February the association honored safe...

All-in-one waterproofing system.(Products for the Producer)
November 1, 2002... As part of a complete waterproofing system, DrainStar eliminates the need for traditional drain tile and gravel. It features two components: a rigid polymer core of engineered cones and geotextile filter fabric. The core of cones collects and...

Mixer liners prevent wear.(Products for the Producer)
November 1, 2002... Rhino Hyde polyurethane liners can protect paddle mixers from abrasion caused by product sliding, direct impact, or impingement. Made to OEM specifications or custom designed, the liners resist material sticking and buildup, clean up in less...

Automated plant control from one panel.(Products for the Producer)
November 1, 2002... The NT-3 system is an easy-to-operate control system for producers of pavers and block. Equipped with numerous active support features, the system lets operators maintain full command of the plant from a single operating panel. The system...

Measurement based on microwave absorption.(Products for the Producer)
November 1, 2002... Consisting of a water-dosing computer and a microwave probe, the FL-MIKRO system measures the surface moisture of concrete materials and also penetrates several centimeters into the batch--minimizing incorrect measurements due to grime on the...

Manhole liner eliminates need for grouting.(Products for the Producer)
November 1, 2002... Available in 24- and 27-inch diameters, the I/I Barrier lines the inside of the manhole grade ring to eliminate water and dirt infiltration--as well as the need to grout the grade ring. It also can be used to rehab leaky manholes and control...

Plate saves welding time and dollars.(Products for the Producer)
November 1, 2002... The Rapid-Lok clip plate and stud angle reduce the amount of welding required on nearly all precast projects, saving producers and contractors thousands of dollars. The product installs like any other embedded weld plate, and the stud angle...

Algorithm controls water addition.(Products for the Producer)
November 1, 2002... A specially designed algorithm enables the Hydro-Control Jr system--featuring the Hydro-mix V microwave sensor--to precisely control the addition of water irrespective of the moisture content of the aggregates. Producers can adjust the...

Sell-compacting concrete admixtures.(Products for the Producer)
November 1, 2002... Included in this company's Catexol line of admixtures are several for self-compacting concrete. Superflux 2000 PC allows high levels of water reduction and excellent slump retention without affecting initial set time. AE 260 provides excellent...

A quick point of reference: checking your driver candidates' records may help producers keep insurance costs down and prevent problems later.(Fleet Factors)
November 1, 2002... The owner of a family-owned concrete supplier in Wyoming recently received word of a new problem that will directly affect this year's profitability. But more importantly, the proposed action may upset the tight-knit workforce that he's worked...