Concrete Construction articles from February 2004

Concrete Construction archives from February 2004

Looking for answers.(Editorial Comment)
February 1, 2004... Why is it that as we learn more, we seem to end up with as many questions as answers? Definitive conclusions and clear solutions always seem just out of reach, around the next corner, at the next meeting, or from the follow-up research project....

More moisture.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2004... I read with great interest, the letters from Mr. Godfrey and Mr. Tobin and the ensuing response by the editor (CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, August 2003, pp.16-18). I was disappointed by the editor's response and stance regarding the intent and...

CH2M HILL--outstanding work in municipal concrete.(News & Events)
February 1, 2004... The City of Atchison Water Treatment Plant Upgrade, designed and built by CH2M HILL, has won an award for quality concrete work from the Kansas Ready Mixed Concrete Association. The award will be presented October 14, at the League of Kansas...

A century of innovation.(News & Events)(Calendar)
February 1, 2004... The American Concrete institute (ACI) is celebrating its one-hundredth anniversary throughout 2004 with a series of special activities. These Centennial activities include celebrating and commemorating accomplishments through special events and...

ICRI announces 2003 Project of the Year and Awards of Excellence winners.(News & Events)
February 1, 2004... The International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) announces the winners of the 2003 Project Awards. The Grant Park South Garage Rehabilitation, Chicago, was chosen as the ICRI 2003 Project of the Year. ICRI presented the award to Walker...

New book on interior floor stain.(News & Events)
February 1, 2004... Bob Harris, president of the Decorative Concrete Institute, has written Bob Harris' Guide to Stained Concrete Interior Floors, which will debut at the 2004 World of Concrete in Orlando. The 116-page, full-color guide will be the first in a...

NAHB approves concrete home building council.(News & Events)
February 1, 2004... The National Association of Home Builders (NAHB) has approved formation of the Concrete Home Building Council effective January 1, 2004. The newly formed council will provide NAHB members access to an invaluable network of technical,...

Second annual Concrete Bridge Conference announced.(News & Events)
February 1, 2004... The National Concrete Bridge Council will host the 2004 Concrete Bridge Conference (CBC) scheduled for May 17-18, 2004, in Charlotte, N.C. The CBC has quickly become the nation's premier venue for the exchange of ideas and information on all...

TCA releases first reference topic.(News & Events)
February 1, 2004... The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) has announced the release of a new information series, Reference Topics, a resource that addresses topics facing the site-cast tilt-up construction industry. According to Jim Baty, technical director...

Egyptian ambition.(project of the month)
February 1, 2004... Egypt, a land of great deserts, has a 3000-year history that makes Americans aware of their nation's own relative youth. Yet Egypt today has much poverty, and its population is crowded into a narrow strip adjacent to the Nile, with the...

What every construction worker should know when exposed to cold weather.(Tips & Trends)
February 1, 2004... Prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can result in injuries as serious as frostbite, hypothermia, or even worse. ESIS, Inc., the risk management services arm of ACE USA, recently released a top ten list of precautions that...

Water, portland cement, aggregates, and admixtures.(Hime & Erlin on Concrete)
February 1, 2004... It's only water--but it's the magic elixir of life on earth-and, of course, of concrete. Without it there would be no life on earth or any need for portland cement, and there would be no portland cement-based concrete or the many other things...

Florida's concrete kingdom: world of concrete 2004's host state builds everything from concrete.
February 1, 2004... The Lee Roy Selmon Crosstown Expressway, Tampa The freedom of height The solution for future transportation problems in larger metropolitan areas, believes Linda Figg, president of Figg Engineering Group, Tallahassee, Fla., rests with...

Moving people in Orlando.
February 1, 2004... Orlando's airport has another job underway that will eventually help to move people from place to place. World of Concrete attendees will want to take a look at the Intermodal Transit System Guideway (ITSG) now under construction. This elevated...

Casting residential foundation walls in cold weather: research conducted by the Concrete Foundation Association sheds new light.
February 1, 2004... Cold weather concrete technology is founded largely on the premise that concrete freezes early as the temperature declines, and that once frozen, concrete will no longer gain strength. The concrete industry, and particularly the residential...

Are we placing too much air in our concrete? Today's more effective air entraining agents are specified the same as they were 50 years ago.
February 1, 2004... Adding microscopic air bubbles to concrete in order to increase its resistance to freeze/thaw cycles was one of those fortunate accidents. In New York in the mid-1930s tallow, used to grease the bearings in a cement-grinding mill, dripped into...

Working together for better concrete floors: the Inter-Industry Working Group on Concrete Floor Issues met in April to find solutions to recurring problems.
February 1, 2004... Concrete flatwork makes up a large part of the concrete construction industry. Advances in placement and finishing equipment, as well as in mix design, have enabled contractors today to build better slabs than ever before. And yet problems...

The many faces of overlaid plywood form panels understanding the options.
February 1, 2004... Are you confused by the different types of overlaid plywood forming panels in use today? Do you know which panel will yield the best finish? Which provides the best return on your investment? With labor and materials accounting for 40% to 60%...

The future of MasterFormat: CSI is bringing its specifications systems into the 21st century, but concrete contractors will find themselves in familiar territory.
February 1, 2004... When the Construction Specifications Institute (CSI) established the MasterFormat Expansion Task Team in April 2001, it seemed clear that technical advances in the industry and greater emphasis on the life cycle of the built environment...

Finding the right waterproofing system: an underground museum requires fail-safe waterproofing.
February 1, 2004... Seventy years after its 1933 debut as a state-of-the-art, facility, Kansas City, Missouri's Nelson-Atkins Museum of Art is receiving a face-lift of gigantic proportions. This major campus-enhancement project includes significant renovations to...

F-numbers for a floor test section: Concrete Construction original research comparing Dipstick, F-Meter, and FloorPro results.
February 1, 2004... Here's an all-too-common scenario: The owner's test lab reports F-numbers that are below those required by the specifications. But the concrete contactor has measured F-numbers that meet the specifications. The architect decides to hire a...

WOC 2004: tips for your show visit.(Special section: World of Concrete tour)
February 1, 2004... In 2004, the World of Concrete enters its 30th year of bringing concrete and masonry construction professionals the latest equipment, education, and hands-on experience. The many industry experts who helped put together this year's World of...

Post tension tendon hydraulic shear.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... PocketShear[TM] is a hydraulic cold-shearing hand tool for unbonded post tension tendons. PocketShear[TM] is specified by leading engineers across the country and used daily by leading steel placers. At 27 lbs. the unit is lighter than a...

Concrete crack repair.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... 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)
February 1, 2004... 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...

Grouting systems.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... ChemGrout manufactures the world's largest selection of grouting equipment. From high capacity colloidal systems to hand grout pumps. Production rates to 45 GPM and pressures to 2000 PSI. Their patented pumps are industry standards offering...

PM knuckleboom cranes.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... PM cranes are available for handling gang or hand set forms, precast, brick or blocks. Full hydraulic horizontal reaches to 86' and available with such options as remote control or top seat controls. Complete packages available including...

Easi carrier.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... The efficient, professional way to transport blueprints, maps, artwork and more. Unique system eliminates "Curl" that makes roiled documents hard to handle. Provides a full view display with a firm writing surface for the entire document....

"Cast-in-place" rebar fabrication.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... With one hand tied behind your back, you con bend or cut cast-in-place rebar! The lightweight and portable EZE Bend System is uniquely designed to fabricate rebut, even if it is embedded! A simple rotation of the pull bender or cutter power...

GraniTite.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... GraniTite is the first spray-on granite coating formulated to resurface concrete, wood, metal, fiberglass and Formica. It is truly colorfast and UV resistant. GraniTite is very flexible and achieves high slip-resistance. It comes ready-to-use...

Waterstops.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... SYNKO-FLEX Waterstop is a specially formulated preformed adhesive joint sealant that provides a lasting, watertight bond to both flesh and cured concrete surfaces. HYDRO-FLEX Waterstop is a preformed adhesive hydrophilic waterstop designed...

Starter packages.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... Hydraulic Mudpumps, Inc. manufactures five different slab raising pumps to fit a variety of applications including slabjacking, shotcreteing, and pressure grouting. Starter packages are available that include mixers, pumps, carrying rocks and...

Jimmy "T" Stake & Nail Puller.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... 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...

Originators of leading chemical bonding agents.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... WELD-CRETE[R] True to its claim, Weld-Crete[R] is the proven concrete bonding agent for practically every application. Simply brush, roll or spray Weld-Crete onto concrete or any structurally sound surface. Then come back hours, days or weeks...

Earth drills & augers.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... For over 50 years, Little Beaver has manufactured one-man mechanical and hydraulic earth drills and augers from 1 1/2" up to 18" for all types of drilling applications: * Foundation contractors, for drilling pier holes and foundation...

Chameleon Trac II kit.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... Marion Brush introduces the Chameleon Trac II kit concrete finishing system. This kit includes the Chameleon Trac II, four refill brushes, a multi-use adaptor, and an aluminum carrying case. It is available in three sizes and the refill brushes...

Concrete stamping tools.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... 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 u longer working...

Adhesive backed templates.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2004... Stencils/Templates for the Decorative Concrete Industry. 15 patterns to choose from. Can be used on exterior or interior projects. Adhesive backing for easy layout, saves time and labor costs. All patterns are available without adhesive and...

ASCC position statement #9: slab thickness tolerances.(Industry Issues)
February 1, 2004... Most project specifications, including ACI 301-99, "Specifications for Structural Concrete," reference ACI 117-90, "Standard Specifications for Tolerances for Concrete Construction and Materials." This document allows the same thickness...

Concrete countertops; reinforcing and concrete mixes.(Decorative Concrete)
February 1, 2004... As simple as the idea of casting a concrete countertop may seem, there are significant problems in designing reinforcement to eliminate cracking and in developing a concrete mix to minimize shrinkage and porosity. Cracks are especially...

New product dissolves concrete the old way.(Innovations)
February 1, 2004... A Texas chemical company has developed a molecular cement dissolver, Back-Set, as an alternative to acid for removing hardened concrete from tools, trucks, and other equipment. It uses an active ingredient found in sugar cane syrup; the product...

Air test variability.(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2004... Q. Is it common to get different air readings when using a pressure meter and a roll-a-meter or volumetric meter? I continually get a difference of about 0.8% to 1%, but I feel very sure my meters are calibrated correctly. The higher reading is...

What caused non-bonding?(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2004... Q. I have a customer who tore out a slab that had delamination problems. He subsequently found some sections where the #4 bar had not bonded to the concrete at all. Naturally he is assuming the concrete is "bad." Besides oil and rust, what...

Concrete too salty?(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2004... Q. Does the water for concrete have to be completely void of salt (from seawater)? What happens if it is not? A. Two factors must be considered in answering this question. First, will the concrete include steel reinforcing? If so, any salt...

You pick the winners: vote in the second annual Most Innovative Products Contest at the World of Concrete.(Product Update)
February 1, 2004... The debut of Hanley Wood's Most Innovative Products competition was a resounding success at last year's World of Concrete 2003. This unique competition allowed a panel of experts and attendants at the show to select from more than 1.30 products...

Microcomposite steel rebar.(Concrete-Making Materials)
February 1, 2004... MMFX 2 rebar is an uncoated microcomposite steel reinforcement that is highly corrosion-resistant. This patented product meets or exceeds the mechanical properties of ASTM A615 Grade 75 steel bars. Composed of a low-carbon, chrome-alloy steel,...

Moisture-blocking admixture.(Concrete-Making Materials)
February 1, 2004... Tega-Crete is a unique concrete admixture that's been developed using advanced chemical grafting nanotechnology. It prevents the absorption of water or moisture in hardened concrete. The admixture's matrix component is 80% solids, and, when...

Gypsum concrete.(Concrete-Making Materials)
February 1, 2004... FIRM-FILL 3310 enables gypsum concrete to achieve unprecedented final strength levels. Designed to be used as a floor underlayment, the product has a compressive strength of up to 3310 psi and can be walked on in 90 minutes. Use it over wood...

Fiber reinforcement.(Concrete-Making Materials)
February 1, 2004... UltraShot is a new fiber reinforcement for shotcrete. With a wave-like shape, the fibers anchor firmly in the concrete. Their coarseness allows them to be blended into the shotcrete mix at a much higher rate per unit volume. The fibers...

Saw for same-day beveling.(Concrete Construction Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The X50 hand-held saw is designed as both a finish-cut saw for ultra-early entry control joints and a decorative saw for scoring and next-day beveling. The hand-held saw comes with a patented blade and skid plates to prevent chipping and...

More comfortable backpack vibrator.(Concrete Construction Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The VMG-2500BP backpack-mounted vibrator comes with a strong, comfortable frame, allowing operators to use it for hours at a stretch. It is lightweight--only 25 pounds--and well balanced. The 2.5-hp gasoline engine powers heads at up to 12,600...

Compact stationary mixer.(Concrete Construction Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The TMS2000 is a compact mixer for packaged materials, including mortar, plaster, floor pavement, and underlayment. The unit's design combines changing speed, jobsite mobility, and mixing reliability to help the contractor save time, money, and...

Pneumatic chain saw.(Concrete Construction Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The C8 71773 Pneumatic Concrete Chain Saw is a portable tool that can cut 14 inches deep in one pass through reinforced concrete, brick, block, pipe, or natural stone. With its diamond chain, it cuts square corners with no overcuts. It cuts...

Gas-powered ring saw.(Concrete Construction Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The K950 ring saw, designed for wet cutting, is a gasoline version of the manufacturer's all-purpose masonry and concrete saw. Its biggest advantage over hydraulic saws is its portability. It can cut up to 10 inches, using a 14-inch blade,...

A family of combihammers.(Concrete Construction Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The Hilti TE 46, 56, and 56-ATC perform up to 40% faster in drilling and up to 30% faster chipping than previous models. The TE 46's TE-T connection offers a more effective power transmission with medium-sized bits, increasing the tool's...

Professional-grade levels.(Concrete Construction Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The 945 series Magnum levels are built with aluminum-reinforced frames--offering the heft and feel of wood, but without warping. The 48-inch levels feature tempered glass lenses over the full-travel 2-inch vials. Tempered glass resists...

Rotary hammer.(Concrete Construction Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The DH40MR rotary hammer is designed with a double insulated die-cast aluminum frame. It features electronic variable-speed control for constant drilling speed with little change in rotation or hammering. The lock mechanism allows for 12 chisel...

Expansion joint system.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... The new Zip Block parking structure expansion joint system is an innovative one-piece extruded EPDM seal. It can be installed in green concrete and in standard-size blockouts using high-strength epoxy. Installation is quick and clean every...

High-tech steel coating.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... Tega-CSRP offers a new way to coat carbon steel. Its unique coating characteristics are the result of advanced chemical grafting nanotechnology. The product is a polymeric film chemically bonded to the steel substrate. The product achieves...

Cost-effective waterproofing.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... Barriseal, an above-grade vapor barrier product forms an instantaneous bond with green concrete, concrete block, or gypsum walls, which are then covered with an exterior finish. The product is a water-based asphalt emulsion that is modified...

Vapor-reduction system.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... The MoistureBloc vapor-reduction system protects flooring adhesive from moisture vapor emission and alkali degradation of the underlying concrete. The two-step system consists of a primer coat, which dries in 24 hours, followed by a topcoat....

Tintable sealant.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... Spectrem 4-TS silicone sealant can be tinted onsite, making last-minute changes to the job easy and affordable, particularly with designs featuring multiple colors. Available in 53 standard colors and formulated with advanced silicone...

Concrete floor polish.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... Duro-Polish is a water-based, synthetic-polymer concrete floor polish that won't flake or peel. The concentrated product, diluted with water, results in a strong, high-gloss finish. It also offers improved slip resistance. Its low molecular...

Anchor bolt fasteners.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... Bolt Rite fasteners assist in the proper placement of anchor bolts in wet concrete. They are made of composite plastic and can be reused several times to save money. The line consists of five products, including the ABS fastener, with two legs...

Snap-off control joint.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... The Total Control Joint is an inexpensive, leave-in control joint for poured concrete foundations. The product, made of vinyl, snaps off flush with the wall. Its gray color blends with the cured concrete. At 1/16-inch thick, it doesn't change...

Window well system.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... The new 5600 series modular egress window well offers flexibility in creating emergency escapes from any basement area. The modular system features a patent-pending, snap-together design, making installation and transport simple. Individual...

Urethane sealant.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... Tega-Seal is a proprietary urethane system for protecting new or reconditioned concrete surfaces. The water-based penetrating sealant and coating outperforms both latex and solvent-based products. It penetrates the surface through capillary...

Textured wire ties.(Concrete Supplies)
February 1, 2004... Gator Wire is a tie wire for rebar reinforcement that is quicker and easier to handle. The texture of the non-slip surface resembles the back of an alligator, making it easier to grasp while wearing gloves. PVC coats the black annealed wire,...

Bucket attachment.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The BakSaver is a labor-saving skid-steer bucket attachment to place concrete in locations inaccessible to concrete trucks. With a capacity of 3/4 cubic yards, it does the work of five laborers and five wheelbarrows. The unit comes with two...

Ride-on power trowel.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... A new electronic steering system and lighter weight are two advantages of the CRT-48-31V-ES ride-on power trowel. The steering controls, along with proven electronics used in the automotive and airline industries, allow the operator to...

Decorative slipforming.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The SlipStone wall extruding system is a decorative attachment that fits most slipforming machines. A roller stamps a pattern into the fresh concrete, which is covered by a thin plastic sheet. Remove the sheet once the concrete has cured. The...

Parabolic truss screed.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The Mighty Lite truss screed features an innovative parabolic design that provides strength without adding weight. A steel frame is combined with an aluminum backbone and blades for the optimum combination of strength and lightness. The screed...

Concrete pumping boom.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The VersiPlacer is a multi-function boom capable of pumping concrete and lifting loads, and it also can be fully deployed horizontally. This al lows it to be used inside a building with a low ceiling or in confined areas. It also saves...

Lightweight power trowel.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The Power Pole Finisher is a lightweight power trowel--only 24 pounds--designed to start finishing wet concrete before it has cured enough to support the weight of a person or a heavy machine. The unit is designed to allow the finisher to stand...

Truck-mounted conveyor.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The Liebherr LTB mixer-truck-mounted conveyor is a cost-effective alternative to a concrete pump. It has an effective operating distance of 53 feet and can easily fulfill many placement jobs usually done with a concrete pump. It features a...

New power rod.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The C series 500 power rod is used, with the appropriate attachment, for screeding, edging, grooving, and finishing concrete. It features a connection that allows the power unit to be replaced with a Hummer Flex Hose Vibrator, to add a further...

Mixing tool.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The Easy Mixer concrete hoe has a patented design, made with a forged steel blade with two holes in it. It has 50% less drag than similar tools. It easily pushes and pulls through concrete mixes. The sharp-edged, triangle-haped blade is also...

Lightweight screed bar.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The new lightweight screed bar is available in sizes up to 12 feet in length. This low-profile, extruded magnesium bar features quick-connect lever screws and is made for easy cleanup. Optional rounded ends are available. JLin Corp., Booths...

Walk-behind screed.(Concrete Placing & Finishing Equipment)
February 1, 2004... The new Copperhead XD walk-behind screed is built for rough duty. The machine excels in tough conditions, such as with low-slump concrete. The 13-hp engine, combined with 5-to-1 drive motors, provides a powerful but smooth pass for increased...

Reusable steel brace.(Formwork & Forming Products)
February 1, 2004... The Adjustable Kicker is a reusable steel brace that can be attached to wood or metal forms, adjusts to various angles and can be used on ground, concrete, asphalt, and wood surfaces. This versatility makes it appropriate for a wide variety of...

Form removal equipment.(Formwork & Forming Products)
February 1, 2004... The Form Puller is a new and unique product used to easily remove 1 1/8-inch plywood forms. Field tests have shown as much as a 75% reduction in the time it takes to remove a form from a newly placed wall. In addition, form life is...

Slab shoring system.(Formwork & Forming Products)
February 1, 2004... TABLA is a new and innovative slab shoring system, with a patented head that allows the contractor to strip the horizonal panels as soon as 1 day after pouring, leaving a prop as a back shore. Lightweight and designed to hold a 14-inch concrete...

Form attachment system.(Formwork & Forming Products)
February 1, 2004... The Power Taper tie system is a strong, semi-automatic, self-spacing tie that fixes to the company's aluminum forms. The threaded taper tie, made of high-strength steel, attaches the inside form to the outside form through the coupler with a...

Form removal tool.(Formwork & Forming Products)
February 1, 2004... The Form Popper is designed to quickly and easily remove inside corner forms that are used with the 1 1/8-inch plywood concrete forms. It can remove an 8-foot-high inside corner form in 5 to 10 seconds, much faster than conventional methods. It...