The Concrete Producer articles from September 2005

The Concrete Producer archives from September 2005

A reason to celebrate.(Editorial)(Editorial)
September 1, 2005... I've been thinking about getting a new hobby. As I get older, I'm looking for an activity that doesn't add much stress. Golf is fun, but expensive. So I've decided to try bird-watching. Now before you think I'm failing faster than hot...

Scandal rocks Indy ready-mix industry.(News)(Irving Materials Inc. charged in price fixing case)
September 1, 2005... Irving Materials Inc. (IMI) has pleaded guilty to fixing the price of ready-mixed concrete. The Greenfield, Ind., producer was fined $29.2 million, and said "most" other producers in Central Indiana also are being investigated. The company...

Museum celebrates milestone.(News)
September 1, 2005... Created by an act of Congress in 1980, the National Building Museum in Washington, D.C. is celebrating its 25th anniversary this year with several events. An anniversary bash on Oct. 29 will include live entertainment, a unique...

Cement Environmental Awards.(News)
September 1, 2005... The Portland Cement Association and Cement Americas magazine recently presented their Fourth Annual Cement Industry Environmental and Energy Awards: * Overall Environmental Excellence: St. Lawrence Cement, Mississauga, Ontario, Canada. ...

Cement supplies still tight.(News)
September 1, 2005... Cement supplies remained tight in portions of 23 states, according to the Portland Cement Association's cement supplier May survey. PCA describes supplies in other areas as "fragile," especially in the West. "The release of pent-up construction...

It's the 21st century.(Letter)(Letter to the Editor)
September 1, 2005... I am very excited about your Women's Forum you are planning to have at the next World of Concrete. This month's As the Drum Turns (July, p. 28) shows this forum is needed. I was disappointed in not one, but three references, to not a sales rep,...

Upcoming conferences & events.(News)(Calendar)
September 1, 2005... NRMCA OES Forum & Expo The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association's Operations, Environmental & Safety Forum & Expo takes place Oct. 2-4 at the Westin La Cantera in San Antonio. The event includes seminars and tours designed...

Managing paperwork: a central database replaces binders and filing cabinets.(E-CONCRETE)
September 1, 2005... The number of rules to which companies must adhere is growing faster than ever. To help producers stay ahead of the game, Tempe, Ariz.-based ESS offers its Compliance Suite software. The package consists of 11 modules, available individually or...

Making concrete shine: cladding batched with this special cement keeps itself looking like new.(What's New)
September 1, 2005... When visitors attend concerts and art exhibits at the new Cite de la Musique et des Beaux-Arts in Chambery, France, few are aware of concrete's contribution. Thanks to a new product, this beautiful structure will keep its bright appearance for...

Vacuum drying.(Problem Clinic)
September 1, 2005... Q. We are about to begin a large project that will require our technicians to take hourly field-test samples of the fine materials. We've started to investigate alternatives to our normal oven drying procedures. One method we recently...

Bigger and fewer: major consolidators are tough, competent competitors.(Concrete Returns)
September 1, 2005... Have you looked closely at your market recently? All across the country, major and secondary markets are facing rapid changes as consolidation sweeps the ready-mixed concrete and construction aggregates industries. We estimate there were...

Our role in the environment: increased use of our product will add pressure to operate responsibly.(As the Drum Turns)(Column)
September 1, 2005... I think I've been watching too much good television these days. But I'm justifying my screen time. It's amazing what you can learn from the tube. For instance, did you know concrete is second only to water as the most consumed substance in...

Jumping through hoops: strict environmental regulations challenge producer.(Cover Story)
September 1, 2005... There's more to maintaining a strong tradition than just keeping the plant's sign brightly painted at the company gate. It's the ability to do business of high quality using current best business practices. For concrete producers trying to...

Big dig, big idea: the materials were from structures that had carried diverted traffic during construction.
September 1, 2005... Boston's Central Artery Tunnel (CA/T) project, better known as the Big Dig, is famous for its massive size and daunting price tag: $14 billion. But there is another aspect of this famous project that has gone largely unnoticed: Recycled...

Measure color ... measure quality.(Producer Products showcase)
September 1, 2005... Far more reliable than visual inspection, the portable MiniScan XE Plus color measurement instrument provides quantitative results. It is ideal for measuring the color of your concrete product. One-handed, fully portable operation. Stores...

Admixtures for colored concrete.(Producer Products showcase)
September 1, 2005... Award winning projects begin with award winning materials. CHROMIX[R] Admixtures for Color-Conditioned[TM] Concrete are colored, water-reducing, set-controlling admixtures for ready mixed architectural concrete. Coloring concrete integrally,...

Molecular Cement Dissolver.(Producer Products showcase)
September 1, 2005... "Back-Set" Molecular Cement Dissolver is a unique acid alternative formulated by RoMix, Inc. "Back-Set" works on the molecular level breaking down the ionic bond of the portland cement, turning it to a rinse free mud! "Back-Set" is...

Mixer drums & accessories.(Producer Products showcase)
September 1, 2005... 400 brinnell drums. Reduced Weight= Increased Payload. Here at Shumaker Industries we are concluding a study on the abrasion resistant qualities of domestically milled AR400 steel. In 1998 we introduced several test drums into the market that...

Super strong 22 KP lifting system.(Producer Products showcase)
September 1, 2005... Our popular Ring System is available in 15 Kp and 22 Kp capacities. The all new 22 Kp system has all of the advantages of our 15 Kp version, including reliability, ease of use and spall-free lifting. Simply add the inserts before curing, move...

Good chemistry: how to improve the microbial ecology of onsite wastewater systems.(casting trends)
September 1, 2005... Even with all of the efforts concrete producers expend in designing and casting septic tanks, it's important to remember all biological wastewater systems operate because equipment assists the microbial populations in stabilizing, breaking...

Recheck your specs: expect revision to emission standards.(Product Pulse)
September 1, 2005... Thanks to a grant from the Ready Mixed Concrete Research Foundation, producers may soon have fairer emission standards on which to base the design of dust collection systems. Research performed at five ready-mixed concrete operations in North...

Playing bridge: the book is ideal for bridge engineers and managers.(BOOKSHELF)
September 1, 2005... The Handbook of Concrete Bridge Management provides complete coverage of concrete bridges, including planning, design, repair, maintenance, and demolition, with a focus on small and medium-size bridges. The book offers a global overview of...

Badgers cruise to three-peat.(In the Mix)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The University of Wisconsin-Madison won its third consecutive American Society of Civil Engineers National Concrete Canoe Competition title. The Taliesin defeated entries from 20 other top engineering schools. "Every year, we challenge...

Mexican producer showcases new plant.(In the Mix)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... In the midst of preparing concrete elements for one of Mexico City's largest construction projects ever, Arturo Lorneli Jauregui took time from a hectic schedule to give a tour of his plant in Tecamac, about a one-hour drive south of Mexico...

NPCA.(Associations In the Mix)
September 1, 2005... The National Precast Concrete Association recently surpassed the milestone of 200 precast concrete plants participating in its Plant Certification program. NPCA started the program in 1987 to ensure the highest standards in production,...

NRMCA.(National Ready Mixed Concrete Association)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Responding to industry demand and the rising popularity of pervious concrete, NRMCA has announced plans to certify pervious concrete craftsmen. Final documentation was to be complete in the summer, with certification to begin in fall. The...

CRSI.(Associations In the Mix)
September 1, 2005... The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute is accepting entries for its 2005 Design & Construction Excellence Awards. The program awards more than a dozen firms with recognition for their achievements and capabilities in the design and/or...