Concrete Construction articles from February 2005

Concrete Construction archives from February 2005

Working for free.(Editorial Comment)
February 1, 2005... Most of us in the concrete business really enjoy it--the material is fascinating, the design and construction keep advancing, and we have great pride in the finished product. But few would voluntarily do the work for free. A recent article in...

Grain elevators.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2005... In what year where the first concrete grain elevators constructed? This one has a date of 1915. It was run by Thomas C. Rayl. I took the original photo on December 19, 2004 on West 4th near Hutchinson, Kansas. --Rand Partridge, Ph.D....

Errata.(Reader Response)(Correction Notice)
February 1, 2005... In the December issue of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, "Training for Everyone 2005" inadvertently omitted training provided by the Concrete Sawing & Drilling Association. CSDA offers training for a full range of industry professionals at different...

NRMCA--75 years of service.(News & Events)
February 1, 2005... This year, the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) will celebrate a milestone--its diamond anniversary. Founded in 1930, NRMCA continues to be a leading advocate working to expand, improve, and promote the industry through...

Pervious concrete manual.(News & Events)
February 1, 2005... Addressing increased interest in pervious concrete as a paving material, the Portland Cement Association in cooperation with the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association is pleased to introduce Pervious Concrete Pavements, a definitive...

2004 ARTBA-CFMA Highway Contractors Financial Survey.(News & Events)
February 1, 2005... The 2004 Highway Contractors Financial Survey is the first financial report to provide a meaningful analytical resource exclusively for highway, street, bridge, and tunnel contractors, and others interested in the financial aspects of the...

Voight named ACPA chief.(News & Events)
February 1, 2005... The American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) executive committee named Gerald F. Voight as president and chief executive officer. Previously chief operating officer and senior vice president of technical services for ACPA, Voight joined...

CC sponsors Tilt Up convention.(News & Events)
February 1, 2005... CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION magazine was named official media sponsor for the Tilt Up Concrete Association's annual convention in October. The convention, Oct. 12-15 in Atlanta, will focus on design, construction, and marketing of tilt up. CC, a...

Approved funding for noise issue.(News & Events)
February 1, 2005... The Portland Cement Association recently approved funding for an action plan developed by the American Concrete Pavement Association to address sound at the tire/pavement interface. The plan combines research, product development, testing,...

Safety evaluation of buildings after wind storms and floods.(News & Events)
February 1, 2005... The Applied Technology Council (ATC) has released the ATC-45 Field Manual: Safety Evaluation of Buildings After Wind Storms and Floods. Funded by the Applied Technology Council, the ATC Endowment Fund, and the Institute for Business and Home...

QUIKRETE unearths American Indian treasure.(News & Events)
February 1, 2005... QUIKRETE played a significant role in the recent opening of the National Museum of the American Indian (NMAI) in Washington, D.C. By providing the mortar used to lay block and stone on NMAI, the newest addition to the Smithsonian's National...

Is your marketing creating value?(The Business of Concrete Contracting)
February 1, 2005... In last month's column, we introduced the seven core elements of value and the importance of measuring performance in each area. Tracking performance in each of the core elements allows management to determine where value is created and where...

Why Arnold Palmer prefers golfing over sailing.(Erlin & Hime on Concrete)
February 1, 2005... We thought that you might like a slight diversion from our usual column directly related to concrete. So here is a little background information about our favorite sports. Arnold Palmer, the internationally renowned professional golfer, is...

The Rock Creek bridge, Mendicino County, Calif.(Project of the month)
February 1, 2005... Along Highway 101, one of the most scenic routes in Northern California, the obsolete, high-maintenance bridge over Rock Creek was due for an upgrade. Rather than repair and seismically revamp the existing steel bridge, Caltrans decided to...

Constructing a mat slab: for Lindblad Construction, this project was a new high in low-heat concrete placement.
February 1, 2005... After 56 years, the coal-fired power plant was worn out and obsolete. Corn Products International, Westchester, Ill., built the boilers and generators in late 1948 to provide steam and electricity for its manufacturing plant in Bedford Park,...

Color and texture variation in slabs on ground; a new ASCC guide helps define reasonable expectations.
February 1, 2005... Owners, specifiers, architects, and engineers need to understand that the surface of even the best slab on ground will not be perfect. A new publication written by Ross Martin for the American Society of Concrete Contractors, Guide for Surface...

Paving with roller compacted concrete: RCC topped with asphalt quickly provides a durable street.
February 1, 2005... "This is the finest product for city streets to come along in years," said Marty Savko of Nickolas Savko & Sons, Columbus, Ohio. "I first read about roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement in 1995 and it sounded interesting so I did some...

Constructing my own concrete countertop.(Decorative Concrete)
February 1, 2005... I was hired by Hanley Wood as a senior editor, because I had been a concrete contractor for many years, had experienced many of the problems and challenges affecting concrete, and had learned hands-on the skills of placing and finishing...

Author shares design concepts.(Decorative Concrete Products)
February 1, 2005... The Advanced Countertop Design Training and Certification Program is an intensive 5-day program in which award-winning designer and author Fu-Tung Cheng shares his design concepts and trade secrets for creating concrete countertops. Each class...

Improve the look of concrete.(Decorative Concrete Products)
February 1, 2005... Vertical Concrete Stain is a cost-effective way to color and improve the appearance of large concrete structures, including parking garages, stadium supports, tilt-up, block, stucco walls, and other applications. The stain, which can be applied...

New texture rollers.(Decorative Concrete Products)
February 1, 2005... Seven new textures have been added to the company's line of texture roller tools. The interchangeable sleeves are 22.5 inches wide and allow contractors to offer a wide range of surface effects for minimal additional cost. The frame handle that...

Joints in slabs.(Concrete Basics)
February 1, 2005... A concrete slab on grade or floor is going to crack. There are some exceptions to that rule when heroic measures are taken, like post tensioning or shrinkage-compensating concrete, but most slabs are going to crack. It may appear that concrete...

Using fibers on pool decks.(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2005... Q. Can fiber mesh be used in a swimming pool deck, or will the fibers on the surface be a problem to bare feet? A. Synthetic fibers will not have any harmful effects. Even if a few show on the surface, these polypropylene-based fibers will...

Basement wall cracks.(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2005... Q. How much shrinkage and cracking are acceptable in a poured concrete basement wall? Our basement is below grade on three sides, with the fourth side about 14 feet above the ground. The walls have both vertical cracks and cracks on the...

Ready for block walls.(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2005... Q. Is there a standard waiting time between pouring a slab foundation for a house and putting up the block walls? Is it too soon to start the walls the next day? A. Because you are looking only at a slab, the question is one of compressive...

Small concrete bridges.(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2005... Q. I am developing strategies for growing the market share of concrete bridges, such as bridges for farms, the forestry industry, footbridges, minor roads, and so on. What are some of the areas where the design, constructability, and economics...

Driving piles near new concrete.(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2005... Q. How many days should we wait before beginning to piling near a newly placed concrete retaining wall? The wall is 15 feet high and 3 feet thick at the base. The piling work will be about 12 feet from the base of the wall. If the test cube...

Lighting with power to spare.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The Maxi-Lite 15330 and 20330 portable light towers are designed with 15- and 20-kilowatt AVR-regulated generators that deliver enough energy for work trailers, pumps, additional lighting or other jobsite equipment. The units also feature the...

A light for most applications.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The company's new light tower offers 1000-watt output and can illuminate up to 100,000 square feet, making it ideal for a wide range of construction site applications. The portable product is available with or without a generator, and it can be...

Tough jobsite work light.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The bright, self-righting Wobble Light is virtually indestructible. It features a floating shock system to protect the bulb, an internal ventilation system to keep it cool, a durable plastic housing that won't bend and a tough polycarbonate...

Upgraded air compressor.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The XAS97JD portable air compressor provides 185 cfm at 100 psi. Enhancements include reduced noise level, improved corrosion resistance, and standard DOT-approved road signalization. The compressor element features an advanced, machined rotor...

Easy-aiming light tower.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The TML-4000 trailer-mounted light tower is only 70 inches wide, with UHMW slide pads to prevent metal-to-metal contact, rust, and corrosion. Its tilt-actuating system lets users vertically aim all four lamp fixtures from ground level, reducing...

High-powered generators.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... A new line of innovative, high-powered generators delivers performance, reliability, and efficiency. The G2800L and G4300L have EX series engines, with high-performance, chain-driven overhead cam technology that gives the generators a more...

Reduced running noise.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... Silent Series generators feature advanced inverter technology. The R1700i runs at 1650 watts, the RG3200iS operates at 3200 watts, and the RG4300iS is a 4300-watt unit. The inverter technology reduces running sound, and it runs the engine at a...

Portable floodlight system.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The AL4000 portable floodlight system has an automatic start/stop option to control a fleet of light towers automatically. It can be set in the timer mode, which turns the generator on and off at particular times, or the photocell mode, in...

Elliptical light fixtures.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... LT series light towers have been enhanced with better lighting, more durable lamp fixtures, and improved transportability. The elliptical light fixtures allow the lamps to be mounted horizontally, permitting more light to travel directly from...

Reduce risk of electrical shock.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The X-Treme box portable power distribution center virtually eliminates the risk of electrical shock. It has seven overload-protected receptacles, six of which have GFCI protection, and one California-style outlet to power additional...

Glare-free illumination.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The new GloBug light towers are lightweight and offer 1000 watts of glare-free illumination. They have mast heights of 13 or 16 feet and come with a water-resistant balloon. With an optional generator the unit weighs 243 pounds and features...

Powerful protable compressor.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The X Air SC70 portable compressor is suitable for a range of applications. The rotary screw compressor operates at 70 cfm at 100 psi. It is powered by an 18-hp Honda V-Twin engine, with both manual and electric start options. Other features...

Portable, clean power.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The EF3000iSEB generator provides clean power in a portable unit. Delivering 3000 watts of power in a 147-pound generator, it runs quietly and has a wide range of features. When additional power is needed, it boosts output by adding battery...

Operates on uneven surfaces.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The 4.5-gallon, 150-psi C3550 portable air compressor features a patented oil lubrication system that allows the pump to operate on uneven surfaces. Also, heavy-duty construction provides maximum pump life. The powerful, two-pole, 3450-rpm...

Mobile, compact curb machine.(Jobsite utilities: lights and generators)
February 1, 2005... The Curb Cadet will slipform concrete curbs or extrude asphalt or concrete curbs. The extruder is capable of handling zero slump concrete. The self-propelled, compact unit comes with a manual steering assembly that controls the front wheel....

Blastrac dual-headed grinder.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2005... The Blastrac[R] BMG 2500 dual head, plug style grinder is designed for concrete polishing, cleaning, leveling, and removal of mastics, epoxies, urethane, paint and other coatings. Features include an extendable flip out handle for increased...

ChemTec one.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2005... High performance, water based, nontoxic chemical treatment that hardens, strenghts, stabilizers, protects, increases the mass & density, and extends the useful life of concrete. The Only Densifier in the World that meets the Ohio, Illinois and...

Control joints for walls.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2005... JointMate[TM] control joint systems helping you to provide a superior wall to your customers, now introduces New For 2005 the JointMate[TM] ANPHI-SOF[TM] Seal. Add extra water control where it is needed, THE INSIDE! Stop taking chances with...

Grout pumps.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 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)
February 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)
February 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...

Rocky Geans: President L.L. Geans Construction Co. South Bend, Ind.(Contractors to Watch)
February 1, 2005... * I enjoy working with other people in this industry and through my work with the American Society of Concrete Contractors I have developed friendships all over the United States. Those relationships are very important to me. I know I can pick...