Concrete Construction articles from August 2005

Concrete Construction archives from August 2005

A many-headed monster.(Editorial Comment)
August 1, 2005... "Fire in the hole," said our guide into his two-way radio--and a huge section of rock exploded into a cloud of dust and flying boulders. From our vantage point 500 yards away, we felt the concussion jolt our bus. No, this wasn't Iraq, but a...

Self-climbing formwork.(Reader Response)
August 1, 2005... In the article "New York Rises with Concrete (June 2005), there was a discussion of a self-rising gang form system used to construct the reinforced concrete core at 7 World Trade Center. We neglected to mention that the formwork solution was...

Shrinking concrete.(Reader Response)
August 1, 2005... Dr. Hover's article regarding shrinkage in concrete (March, p. 42) was very well written. I will be able to use many of his points in my company's ongoing training on the causes and control of shrinkage cracking. It will also be very helpful in...

CEO Forum.(News & Events)
August 1, 2005... The American Society of Concrete Contractors CEO Forum 2005 was held June 23-25 at The American Club, Kohler, Wisc. CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION and Concrete International magazines are partners with ASCC in this venture. CEO Forum brings...

CSDA Resource Guide and Directory.(News & Events)
August 1, 2005... The Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association recently released its 2005-2006 Sawing & Drilling Resource Guide and Membership Directory. This is the first time in CSDA's 33-year history that the annual membership directory has included...

David Hamilton, speaker at the first annual Tilt-Up Convention.(News & Events)
August 1, 2005... David Hamilton has been added to the list of speakers at the first annual convention hosted by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) to be held Oct. 12-15 in Atlanta. The convention's theme, "Tilt-Up 4 Today: Energy, Environment, Economy,...

Simonson says construction is in a holding pattern.(News & Events)
August 1, 2005... Associated Contractors of America's (AGC's) chief economist Ken Simonson said the nonresidential construction industry appears to be in a holding pattern based on May Census Bureau figures on construction showing a gradual decline over the...

House approves FY 2006 transportation funding.(News & Events)
August 1, 2005... The House of Representatives passed its Transportation, Treasury, HUD, the Judiciary and District of Columbia FY 2006 appropriations measure. The bill provides $36.3 billion in obligations for the federal-aid highway program, about $1.9...

Post-project reviews.(The Business of Concrete Contracting)
August 1, 2005... To improve performance over time, a contractor must continually learn from the past. One of the most important ways is through postproject reviews. The focus of a postproject review is to improve the construction process and build teamwork on...

Some things about the strength of concrete.(Hime & Erlin on Concrete)
August 1, 2005... Back about 50 years ago there were some common rules of thumb" about concrete. One was that 3-day strengths were about two-thirds of 7-day strengths, and 7-day strengths were about two-thirds of 28-day strengths. Things are different...

The University of Michigan Football Stadium--2005 concrete repairs.(project of the month)
August 1, 2005... The University of Michigan Stadium, the largest college-owned football stadium in the United States, seats 107,501. The recent repair of approximately 20% of the stadium's capacity was intended to replace deteriorating seating. The repair was...

Working with gang forms: increased productivity, more accurate workmanship, and higher profits on projects with repetitive work.(Cover Story)
August 1, 2005... Huge sections of formwork complete with scaffolding dangle from a crane cable. Workers on the ground swing the form sections into position, guided by guy ropes, then by hand. Brent Byford, assistant project manager for Walsh Construction,...

Precooling mass concrete: liquid nitrogen proved to be the best alternative on the San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge.
August 1, 2005... Many new concrete structures are designed to include long spans and carry heavy loads. The sizes of the necessary components--drilled shafts, foundations, footings, and columns--often push the envelope of standard construction practices. A...

Wet curing concrete floors: single-use curing blankets provide uniformly colored slabs.
August 1, 2005... There is no quick and easy way to wet-cure concrete--at least that's what I used to believe. After 18 years as a structural engineer, I have worked on numerous slab-on-grade projects and used traditional wet-cure methods. Most of these...

"Expert's Choice" win at World of Concrete helps launch of time-saving product: new ezBIT Anchoring System is 5X faster than other methods!(Manufacturer Update)(Advertisement)
August 1, 2005... Being named the "Expert's Choice" as the Most Innovative Product in their category at the 2005 World of Concrete spurred the marketing staff at Dayton Superior into high gear. The result, available for the first time this month in dealer...

Send me a proposal! Proposals are often the downfall of the sales cycle.
August 1, 2005... For today's savvy owners or members of a design team, a firm handshake or a number scribbled on a napkin no longer suffices as a proposal. Today, beyond building relationships, you have to assemble a document that conveys your expertise,...

Forming for decorative concrete.(Decorative Concrete)
August 1, 2005... One obstacle to the wider use of decorative concrete is cost: it s simply more expensive than plain concrete. Owners, therefore, naturally conclude they are getting a higher quality product. Those expectations begin with good form lines....

Cementitious terrazzo for floors.(Decorative Concrete Products)
August 1, 2005... Terratop Terrazzo is a decorative cement terrazzo surface that is a fraction of the cost, thickness, and weight of standard installations. The polymer-modified system includes solvent-free, waterbased epoxy coating and primer, a flexible...

Veined stone for paving.(Decorative Concrete Products)
August 1, 2005... Yorkstone flags reproduce the look and feel of the original stone found in the Yorkshire hills of England. Each paving stone has its own unique veined pattern, and hardness levels exceeding 7000 psi make it more durable than most natural stone....

Create a poolside paradise.(Decorative Concrete Products)
August 1, 2005... Create a beautiful, landscaped paradise for pools, ponds, decks, spas, and more. The Techstone system for commercial and residential applications offers customized designs in a variety of textures and colors for new construction or remodeling...

Copper concerns.(Problem Clinic)
August 1, 2005... Q. We're working for a contractor who wants us to place a concrete pad, which will be a floor for a new home, on a base of crushed limestone. He's also planning to have copper water pipes coming up through the floor. Should we be concerned...

Controlling set times.(Problem Clinic)
August 1, 2005... Q. Is there a chemical or mineral that I can add to a concrete mix to stop it from hardening? I need to transport the concrete a long distance from the ready-mix plant to the jobsite. A. Various chemical additives can be used to retard...

Acid resistance.(Problem Clinic)
August 1, 2005... Q. We're pouring a new concrete slab in a ready-mix wash bay where we sometimes will be using muriatic acid to wash down the trucks. What coating or sealer would provide good acid resistance? A. Using about 10% microsilica in the slab will...

Vibrators on the jobsite.(Product Update)
August 1, 2005... Good consolidation makes good concrete. How you get it is another thing. Precasters have used external vibrators to achieve good consolidation for years, but cast-in-place contractors have most often relied on internal vibration. Flexible...

Innovative formwork solutions: climbing jump forms.(Products Solving Problems)
August 1, 2005... Several recent projects display how MEVA's KLK climbing system and Imperial (inch-foot) sized forms contribute to efficient concrete construction. In downtown Chicago, developer Robin Construction is currently building a 21-story high-rise...

Custom composite column forms.(Products Solving Problems)
August 1, 2005... The New Central Library in downtown Minneapolis, scheduled for completion in 2006, will replace the outdated, nearly 100year-old Central Library. The sixlevel structure is part of the Great Libraries of Minneapolis, a ten-year $166 million...

Toffolo joint rulers[TM].(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... The Toffolo joint rulers are a multifunctional stay in place concrete flatwork accessory product. The joint rulers, made of rigid PVC, are placed before pouring and finishing concrete slabs. They greatly improve the levelness of slabs and...

Epoxy healer/sealer.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... CCS[TM] Epoxy Healer/Sealer for cracked concrete. Clear, low viscosity, solvent free, structural repair adhesive for porous or cracked topping slabs, industrial floors, parking decks and loading docks. Flood application provides deep...

Polyurea for control joints.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... CCS[TM] Polyurea SWL is a rapid setting flexible joint filler formulated for high durablility uses including industrial floors, warehouses, loading docks and freezers. Can open to traffic in ~ 1 hour. Long 12-minute pot life allows for either...

Brand new Copma model LP450.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... BRAND NEW COPMA MODEL LP450 with full hydraulic horizontal reach of 78'/2,550 lbs. capacity at boom tip, continuous rotation, radio remote controlled, outrigger span of 28'10", hydraulic rotator, extremely fast cycle time. Most flat footed,...

8" footing bracket.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... Advantages: * Cost Savings--More than 50% savings in time & labor during set-up & stripping of forms. Reduced use of materials * Adjustable, Durable & Re-Usable--Easy to use: Set the desired width, clamp & go. Easy to store &...

Pave Patch 3000 adds fizz to the Coca-Cola 600.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... Overnight, Conspec's Pave Patch 300 was used to replace long stretches of pavement after a faulty liquid asphalt patch repair material loosened during the race and struck Jeff Gordon's race NASCAR's VP Jim Hunter says the "More durable Pave...

Repair vertical & overhead concrete.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... Burke V/O Patch Need excellent durability & strength to repair bridge columns, tunnels, pipes, pilings, concrete ceilings and other vertical or overhead structures? Just add water and Burke V/O Patch! Outlasts even severe freeze-thaw...

Shoring.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... Flying Shoring, rental & sale of "Strickland" type shoring. Complete engineering. NO RESHORING Five man crew. Ground slab not required. Vertical forms & bridge components. One stop shopping for forming, shoring & concrete accessories. Visit our...

Jimmy "T" Stake & Nail Puller.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... This tool combines the benefits of our Stake Puller and Nail Puller tools into one integrated stake removal solution. The Jimmy "T" Stake & Nail Puller is made with quality, lightweight materials and comes with a 1-year limited warranty and is...

Grout pumps.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... Kenrich Products grout pumps are ideal for grouting metal door frames and for placing grout anywhere that high pressure is not required. Their lightweight design (19 to 32 pounds) allows you to take the pump to where you need the grout. One air...

Scofield Systems brochure.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... Request the new Scofield Systems brochure for an easy selection guide. See the Difference with professional stains, dry-shake hardener, release agents, stamping and texturing tools, and cementitious toppings. Find out about our next generation...

Roadware 10 minute Concrete Mender.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... Repair cracks and spalls with Concrete Mender. With a surface tension one third that of water, Concrete Mender penetrates deep into cracks and spalls, bonding to aggregate within the concrete. Complete load transfer is achieved in just 10...

Molecular Cement Dissolver.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 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...

Yanmar Industrial engines.(Products for the Pros showcase)
August 1, 2005... Yanmar offers 10 compact TNV model Tier II Compliant liquid-cooled diesel engines stepped in horsepower from 13.7 to 83.5 hp. New design features result in gains in combustion efficiency, startability, noise and emission reduction. CAE...

Dave Weber, President, and Judy Weber, Vice President, Secretary, and Treasurer: Dave Weber Concrete Marion, Iowa.(Contractors to Watch)
August 1, 2005... Marion, Iowa * The first job I had was with my ex-father-in-law. I was about 16, and we did a little bit of everything. Then I moved and started doing commercial work through the union. Because interest rates were so high at that time, the...