Concrete Construction articles from August 2003

Concrete Construction archives from August 2003

A matter of trust.(Editorial Comment)
August 1, 2003... Do you trust your ready-mix supplier to provide the best possible mix for your jobs? Does he have the know-how to come up with the best mix for a given situation? If the answer to both of those questions is yes, then you will probably support...

Moisture in slabs.(Reader Response)
August 1, 2003... After reading your article "Constructing Slabs to Receive Moisture-Sensitive Flooring" by Joe Nasvik (January, p. 49), I have mixed feelings. Based on my research and many construction defect litigations, I am convinced that a great number of...

How much moisture?(Reader Response)
August 1, 2003... "Constructing Slabs to Slabs to Recieve Moisture-Sensitive Flooring" is truly a gem of an answer to a problem that has been a real headache to virtually everyone in the concrete industry for years. Placing an impervious lid or covering over a...

Engineering students push the technology envelope.(News & Events)
August 1, 2003... The University of Wisconsin--Madison concrete canoe team has defeated 23 teams in the 16th annual ASCE/MBT National Concrete Canoe Competition in rainsoaked Philadelphia. The three-day competition tested student teams on their design and...

California's first RCC dam/San Diego.
August 1, 2003... A remote San Diego County canyon has just witnessed an impressive engineering feat--the construction of California's first major roller-compacted concrete (RCC) dam. At 318 feet high and 2500 feet long, it is North America's tallest RCC dam. It...

Better concrete practices for residential construction: taking steps toward accountability and responsibility for the residential concrete market--driveways, walkways, and patios.
August 1, 2003... The winter of 2000-2001 was bad for concrete in the Midwest. It wasn't that winter temperatures were colder or that frost penetrated deeper than usual, rather it was the unexpectedly large number of freeze/thaw cycles. This caused an abnormal...

Express air measurement: sophisticated software provides the link to predict concrete durability.
August 1, 2003... Concrete specifications for high-durability concrete may soon take on a new look thanks to an air void analyzer (AVA) being demonstrated by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The device, reminiscent of a lava light with a PC interface,...

Silver Beauty.(Products for the pros showcase)
August 1, 2003... The Silver Beauty power screed, formerly called Screedlite, by Advanced Concrete Tools was deigned to bet the one-man screed on the market. The enclosed eccentric makes maintenance easy and clean up a breeze. The always straight equilateral...

Commercial block systems.(Products for the pros showcase)
August 1, 2003... Are you looking for the best Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) for commercial buildings? We use real galvanized steel studs, not plastic. We have certified installation crews that will travel throughout the USA installing our block system or you...

Self feed hopper/mixer.(Products for the pros showcase)
August 1, 2003... Raiserite/Hydraulic Mudpumps, Inc. manufactures a complete line of slabjacking and grout pumps along with its newest product The Self-Feed Hopper/Mixer. This unit comes complete with 2 side lifts, water tank, material hopper, cement hopper and...

Duro-polish.(Products for the pros showcase)
August 1, 2003... Ultra-high gloss concrete foot polish. Synthetic, metal cross-linked polymer achieves a high gloss finish on all silicate and siliconate treated floors, acid stained floors, tile, terrazzo, stone and more! Unique non-slip additive reduces...

Concrete stamping tools.(Products for the pros showcase)
August 1, 2003... Scofield announces a new generation of HIGH OUTPUT LITHOTEX[R] Pavecrafters[R] tools for imprinting and texturing. The improved polyurethane composition provides significantly lighter weight without reduction in durability for a longer working...

Measuring humidity in concrete.(Products for the pros showcase)
August 1, 2003... HM44 Meets New ASTM Standard for Measuring Humidity in Concrete. Vaisala's HM44 kit meets the new ASIM standard and is the ideal solution for easy, reliable and accurate measurement of humidity in concrete. During construction, it is critical...

Superflat floors--the importance of hand tools.(Concrete Basics)
August 1, 2003... When tolerances of [F.sub.F]50 or [F.sub.min]50 are specified, the finisher's choice hand tools are saw beams, check-rods (modified straightedge), and bump cutters (modified highway straightedge). Hand tools are disposable and become worn...

Penetrating sealers for decorative concrete.(Decorative Concrete)
August 1, 2003... Occasionally an owner asks for decorative concrete to be treated with a sealer that leaves a natural appearance. For concrete countertops, the sealer must also be stain-resistant and heat-resistant. A penetrating sealer could be the right...

Trowel marks on concrete floors: position statement #4.(Finishing)
August 1, 2003... Some specifications require concrete contractors to produce floor surfaces that are free of trowel marks. However, the specifications don't define the term "trowel marks." Both ACI 301-99, "Specifications for Structural Concrete for...

Maximum concrete temperature.(Problem Clinic)
August 1, 2003... Q. Some concrete specifications contain a maximum tempeature for the freshly mixed concrete as delivered. Typical values are between 80[degrees] and 95[degrees]F as measured by ASTM C 1064-86. Over the years, I have seen very little to support...

Exposed aggregate concrete doesn't set.(Problem Clinic)
August 1, 2003... Q. I recently poured an exposed aggregate driveway. The concrete came with retarder in the mix and I also sprayed retarder on top. The next morning some spots were still wet at the surface and the rest of the load was completely set. This was a...

Portable pump.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... With the EDGE Concrete Pump from CEAttachments, the company claims skid-steer operators can precisely pump and place concrete, saving valuable time and money. Its powerful design allows pumping as far as 250 feet horizontally and up to 100 feet...

Forklift add-on for buckets.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... Patent-pending MP60 forks use a clam mechanism to stay in place inside 4-in-1 "multipurpose" buckets so that they don't swing or shift sideways. They require no welding or screws, attach and detach quickly, and can be seen by the operator from...

Wheel saws for tough trench cutting.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... The SW45 and SW60 wheel saws are designed for fast trench cutting on hard surfaces such as reinforced concrete and rocky or frozen ground. Applications include road expansion joint cuts and utility trenching for gas, sewer, water, electricity,...

Site-preparation attachments.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... New powerrake and cold planer attachments are available from this company. Both attachments can be used on skidsteers, but the powerrake also fits backhoes, small loaders, and tractors. The powerrake's powerful bi-directional drum works the...

Dozer blade.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... The 1300 skid-steer dozer attachment comes in widths of 6 to 8 feet and works with all rubber-tired and tracked loaders up to 120 hp. Its 5/16-inch-thick moldboard features a new skid-shoe design that allows vertical and horizontal adjustment....

Powerful hammers.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... This company has exclusive U.S. distribution rights to small and mid-sized hydraulic breakers manufactured by Soosan Heavy Industries Co., which has been making hydraulic breakers at its factory in Korea since 1986. These breakers are designed...

High-density soil compaction.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... ATS/ATP60 vibratory roller attachments are compatible with any skid-steer loader and deliver a force of 7675 pounds to a full range of sand and gravel types, as well as on cohesive soils. The ATS60 is smooth, and the ATP attachment is padded....

Horizontal double drilling rig.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... This manufacturer designed a horizontal double drilling rig for a horizontal Buffalo, N.Y., for drilling horizontal holes in the walls of a canal. Special features include carriage units that slide on low-friction wear pads, nitrogen charge...

Vibratory plow.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... This company's unique attachment features a vibratory plow with optional blades with the capability of a 2-foot slicing depth. It can pull pipe up to 2 inches in diameter or bury wire and cable. The contractor can configure it to install...

Low-maintenance breakers.(Product Update)
August 1, 2003... Terminator breakers may be used with "quick-attach" couplers to allow breaker-to-bucket changeovers in minutes. All components are totally adjustment free, reducing maintenance requirements. Working parts are constructed of researched and...

Turning research into applications.(Innovations)
August 1, 2003... What's the difference between basic research and spin-off technology? About 15 years, says a recent report from the Strategic Development Council SDC). In "Roadmap 2030: The U.S. Concrete Industry Technology Roadmap," the SDC outlines and...