Concrete Construction articles from December 2005

Concrete Construction archives from December 2005

Gambling wisely.(Editorial Comment)
December 1, 2005... From a contractor's viewpoint, self-consolidating concrete sounds like a panacea--a solution for many of the problems typically encountered on a jobsite. With no vibration, it can fill your forms to produce perfect, smooth surfaces. For...

Oldcastle Inc. contributes $1 million to hurricane relief efforts.(News & Events)
December 1, 2005... Oldcastle Inc., a leading construction and building materials company, donated $1 million to the American Red Cross to aid in Hurricane Katrina disaster relief efforts. The gift was the combined result of employee donations and a...

NRMCA's new 'Web sites for the industry'.(News & Events)
December 1, 2005... The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has launched three new Web sites, each covering a specific ready-mixed concrete application area. The sites have been designed as promotional tools for the use and benefit of the entire concrete...

Veterans Day project by QUIKRETE.(News & Events)
December 1, 2005... The QUIKRETE Companies created a specially-dyed purple concrete for the construction of a Purple Heart Memorial in Harrison, Ohio. The monument, unveiled by the J.B. Yeager American Legion Post 199 on Sunday, Aug. 7, is dedicated to those who...

RMC funds forensic study of Gulf Coast infrastructure.(News & Events)
December 1, 2005... The RMC Research Foundation has approved funding of a forensic study to evaluate how various building systems are affected by hurricanes, high winds and flooding. The RMC Research Foundation, the Mississippi Concrete Industries Association, and...

Taking the high ground.(The Business of Concrete Contracting)
December 1, 2005... The drywall specialty contractor had just filed for bankruptcy so John, the construction project manager for a new university dormitory, was trying to select a replacement. One contractor offered John the chance to go to the next NASCAR race as...

A closure.(Hime & Erlin on Concrete)
December 1, 2005... This will be our last regular monthly column, although you may occasionally find a new one as the months evolve. The monthly columns were sometimes easy to put together, but sometimes they had to be pulled out over months with a lot of editing...

The 2005 excellence in concrete pavement awards: careful planning and attention to detail are common threads in this year's American Concrete Pavement Association winning projects.
December 1, 2005... Overlays Interstate Highway 40 McIntosh County Eufaula, Oklahoma This project involved the construction of 51.3 lane miles of 10 1/2-inch-thick concrete overlay on 9 existing inches of asphalt. The Interstate freeway was...

Testing concrete: thinking beyond the procedures.
December 1, 2005... It's hard to imagine the concrete industry without thinking about testing. Concrete producers select aggregates, cement, fly ash, slag, and other admixtures on the basis of test results. Material samples are selected at quarries and batch...

World of Concrete 2006: January 16-19: don't miss the action!
December 1, 2005... The 2006 version of World of Concrete will roar into Las Vegas on January 16 for a five-day stay. The show is, of course, dominated by the hundreds of exhibits from the industry's manufacturers--if a company is a serious supplier to the...

Concrete pavement construction basics: a technical expert explains what works best.
December 1, 2005... Today's concrete pavements are being built smoother than ever before, providing an excellent riding surface while retaining good surface texture and skid resistance. And the advent of stringless paving and stringless trimming are making...

Rain damage of freshly finished concrete: downpours in Denver.
December 1, 2005... The summer of 2004 saw what seemed like an abnormal number of sudden hailstorms and downpours in the Denver area while concrete was being placed. We investigated concrete from two different projects that were halted shortly before a rainstorm....

Material selection guide: QA/QC in dowel bar placement: don't let misalignment ruin a good concrete pavement.
December 1, 2005... States don't always want to take chances when it comes to paving highways, but South Carolina had a choice to make. It could use dowel bar inserters (DBIs) on the $64 million 1-95 reconstruction project through Darlington and Florence counties,...

What causes efflorescence and how do you remove it?(Decorative Concrete)
December 1, 2005... Efflorescence occurs with all concrete and is the most frequent problem that concrete contractors face with colored concrete. Owners don't care about "plain" concrete, but colored concrete is another matter. They complain that their contractor...

In-ground lighting for concrete.(Decorative Concrete Products)
December 1, 2005... With Tahoe Lighting, concrete professionals can artistically weave light into walkways, patios, paving stone driveways, walls, porches, and so much more. Available in several styles, these low-voltage systems are easy to install and require low...

Beautifies and protects surfaces.(Decorative Concrete Products)
December 1, 2005... Trojan Color Sealer combines a penetrating polyester sealer with specially formulated dye to beautify and protect concrete and masonry surfaces. It is not a paint that will easily wear away. Once sprayed or rolled on, it penetrates the surface...

Interior concrete topping for floors.(Decorative Concrete Products)
December 1, 2005... Self-drying and trowelable, Ardex SD-M is a portland cement-based topping that's installed in an ultra-thin-coat system for fast resurfacing and smoothing of indoor subfloors. It can be integrally colored or used with topical dyes and stains to...

Mineral composite flooring.(Decorative Concrete Products)
December 1, 2005... For a seamless, natural stone appearance that is bonded directly to concrete slab, MasterPiece Granitech is a unique alternative to tile flooring. Intended for interior work, this cultured granite floor surfacing blends distinctive granite...

Setting string lines for concrete paving work.(Concrete Basics)
December 1, 2005... Constructing pavement that provides a smooth ride involves many factors, but the quest begins with setting string lines to guide both trimmers and paving equipment. Contracts for road pavement projects frequently include...

High volume fly ash.(Problem Clinic)
December 1, 2005... Q. I have heard about the greater influence temperature has on strength development with high volume fly ash concrete, but I can find little in the way of quantifiable data. Is there a greater sensitivity to changes in ambient conditions with...

Too many popouts.(Problem Clinic)
December 1, 2005... Q. Are you aware of a concrete pavement "serviceability index" that deals specifically with the acceptable levels of popouts, particularly in residential or commercial flatwork. ASTM D 5340 "Airport Pavement Condition Index Surveys" refers to...

Perfect for pervious.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The Bunyan Striker features a hydraulically powered spinning tube that cuts down the surface grade quickly, pressing the material down and forward. The tube rests on formwork or temporary screed rails. The operator can control tube rotation...

Mini roller screed.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... Roller screeds are like having a screed and paver rake rolled into one. They are simple to use for achieving flat floors with unbeatable grade control on inclines. Powered by a 1.5-hp four-stroke engine, this screed's power unit weighs 35...

Low hand/arm vibration increases safety.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The Screedemon reduces wet screed hand/arm vibration by 50% to 90%, reducing the risks of white finger, carpel tunnel syndrome, and chronic arthritis. Plus, its rigid back-to-back double triangular design offers uniform vibration along the...

Strike off slabs on large jobs.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The WSH series vibratory truss screed, which spans up to 65 feet, resists rough handling and allows operators to strike off slabs up to 11 inches deep. The 8-hp and 13-hp gasoline-driven models produce 8000 vpm. The pneumatic models produce up...

When larger screeds aren't needed.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... This wet screed line is perfect for contractors looking for a fast, economical way to strike off concrete without investing in a larger screed. A variety of lengths and widths are offered for flexibility on the job. The adjustable eccentric...

Uniform concrete spread.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... Expandable to 60 feet, the AS60 gas-powered aluminum screed features the Curl Edge runner, which eliminates concrete rollover and yields a more uniform concrete spread. The vibratory power screed also handles slump in excess of 3 inches. With...

Magnesium screeds.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... Built for strength and rigidity, these lightweight magnesium screeds are available in various lengths and sizes--from 6 feet to 24 feet. They are 30% lighter than aluminum alloy screeds, with a 50% thicker working edge. They also last three...

Complete family of truss screeds.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The Speed Screed vibratory strike-off machines feature reversible aluminum finishing tubes for all types of concrete paving and finishing applications. Hand winches or hydraulic winches with widths up to 75 feet assist forward travel. The truss...

Roller screed for any size job.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The Spin Screed consists of an aluminum pipe, up to 22 feet in length, that rolls concrete in front of the screed, cutting off high spots and filling in low spots. Powered by a heavy-duty right angle drill, it can be used on stiff, low-slump...

Screed for odd-sized slabs.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The STDXXX screed is perfect for doing small to intermediate size slabs, including irregular shapes and V-shaped waterways. It features a 3.5-hp gasoline engine, and it spans from 3 to 20 feet. The handle design transfers pull to the rear of...

Power screed saves time.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The VS400 and VS800 power screeds are perfect for rough finished floors. The tools strike off and consolidate concrete surfaces quickly, efficiently, and inexpensively. The tools get the surfaces trowel ready without backbreaking,...

Versatile power screed.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The Vibra Strike II is a versatile power screed with a four-stroke engine that delivers consistent performance. The unique geometric shape of the float allows it to be used as both a float and curl edge when screeding from the top of forms. A...

GPS for excavating.(Screeds)
December 1, 2005... The Logic7D Excavate system boosts the productivity of excavators, eliminates the need for survey stakes, and allows users to better control buckets. Using a dual-antenna roof array and sensors, the GPS system displays accurate, real-time...

Waterproofing a building inside a building: the Iberville Building, Baton Rouge.(Products Solving Problems)
December 1, 2005... Moisture is no stranger to the South. And as in many cities with humid climates, building owners in Baton Rouge, with its large-scale plans to improve the downtown business district, are taking a hard look at the need for quality waterproofing....

Ridley C-10[TM].(Products for the Pros showcase)
December 1, 2005... The C-10 is a powerful, compact machine designed for placing dry-mix gunite material. It delivers a steady flow of material allowing even hydration at the nozzle. The C-10 features a 9 HP air motor with heavy-duty spur gear drive (hydraulic...

Stainless steel Bullet Groover.(Products for the Pros showcase)
December 1, 2005... Bon Tool's premium stainless steel BULLET GROOVER[TM] is four times more wear-resistant than bronze groovers. Its highly polished, mirror finish blade glides through concrete with ease to make consistent, clean-cut grooves. The properties of...

Lifetime replacement guarantee.(Products for the Pros showcase)
December 1, 2005... Dust Grabber shrouds eliminate suction lock, and capture 99% of dust. The steel shroud is guaranteed for life, you only replace the seal when worn out, not the shroud. Our low cost hassle free seals are quick and easy to replace, and cut shroud...

Concrete crack repair.(Products for the Pros showcase)
December 1, 2005... Interested in a fast growing contracting specialty. Consider joining the Kemko[TM] applicator program, an established network of concrete repair and epoxy crack injection contractors. Learn theory and technique from the industry's most...

Epoxy healer/sealer.(Products for the Pros showcase)
December 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...

Repair joints (forever) in seconds.(Products for the Pros showcase)
December 1, 2005... We PERMANENTLY repaired thee feet of caulk cohesion failure in just 15 seconds with Polytite! Dayton Polytite is a pre-compressed joint sealant that forms a watertight, dust-proof, airtight, soundproof urethane insulated seal quickly and...

Pave Patch 3000 adds fizz to the Coca-Cola 600.(Products for the Pros showcase)
December 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 car. NASCAR's VP Jim Hunter says the "More durable...

Jimmy "T" Stake & Nail Puller.(Products for the Pros showcase)
December 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)
December 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)
December 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...

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

Contractors to watch: Terry, Greg, and Brad Fricks: The Fricks Company Ft. Worth, Texas.
December 1, 2005... * Brad: We work all over North America and in the Caribbean, but we have just one home office in Ft. Worth, and we never hire any local people. Terry: We find it's cheaper doing that because our jobs are less than four months. So even the...