Concrete Construction articles from February 2006

Concrete Construction archives from February 2006

Changes upon changes.(Editorial Comment)
February 1, 2006... Sometimes it seems that nothing ever changes. Same old thing year after year. But as part of our anniversary celebration, as we look back at what we've covered in the magazine for the past 50 years, we find so many interesting developments that...

Wrestling with welded wire reinforcement.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... An advertisement in the December 2005 issue of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION depicts a masked wrestler diving to grapple with a roll of welded wire reinforcement. The pictured roll of welded wire reinforcement appears to have been deliberately...

Erlin & Hime missed.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I was sorry to read in the December issue that the Hime & Erlin on Concrete" column will be their last. I also felt guilty when the authors pointed out their disappointment with the lack of reader participation. I eagerly read and enjoyed each...

Pozzolons missing.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
February 1, 2006... I wait each month to consume CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION and its wealth of information. I always learn something new! However, the December 2005 article "Concrete Pavement Construction Basics" excluded any reference to pozzolans in the discussion of...

TCA's 2006 tilt-up winners.(News & Events)
February 1, 2006... The Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) has announced the recipients of the 2006 Tilt-Up Achievement Awards. In its 15th consecutive year, the Achievement Awards program was established by TCA to honor projects that use site-cast tilt-up...

NRMCA's pervious concrete symposium.(News & Events)
February 1, 2006... Register now for the 2006 Concrete Technology Forum Focus on Pervious Concrete to be held on May 24-25 at the Renaissance Nashville Hotel. The National Ready Mixed Association (NRMCA) is offering 12 technical sessions and 30 presentations....

2006 Concrete Bridge Conference.(News & Events)
February 1, 2006... The National Concrete Bridge Council will host the 2006 Concrete Bridge Conference (CBC) scheduled for May 7-10, 2006, outside of Reno, Nev. This event is the premier national venue for the exchange of ideas and information on all aspects of...

Tailoring insurance for the concrete industry.(News & Events)
February 1, 2006... With insurance premiums increasing every year, and construction/remodeling companies taking on the burden of insurance costs that may not even relate to their business, many of these businesses are finding themselves unable to make a profit due...

Highways predicted to be "hot" in 2006.(News & Events)
February 1, 2006... Highways and bridges will be among the hottest markets for design and construction firms in 2006, according to "2006 AEC Industry Outlook: Strategy and Insight for Design & Construction Firms," a new report from Zweig White. "Despite...

What it takes to be a good contractor (Part 1 of 2).(The Business of Concrete Contracting)
February 1, 2006... At the start of the new year, many companies are assessing their past year's performance and developing plans for improvement in the year to come. This is a good time to review what makes a good contractor. Gauge your own level of...

Protection in cold environments.(Safety)
February 1, 2006... When working in cold weather, employers and workers must take certain necessary precautions to prevent serious health problems such as frostbite, trenchfoot, and hypothermia. Prolonged exposure and cold water immersion can even be fatal. Danger...

Constructing high-quality industrial floors: controlling variables and watching the details are key.(Cover Story)
February 1, 2006... Building a reputation for installing long-lasting, hard-wearing, maintenance-free floors means going the extra mile. The Fricks Company, Fort Worth, is known across North America for just that kind of work: dense, durable concrete floors built...

Quality construction of suspended floors: monitoring programs are key to success.
February 1, 2006... Building suspended floors that are acceptably flat and level is one of the many challenges that contractors face. Every elevated floor deflects or sags slightly under its own weight, whether supported by steel beams or a cast-in-place concrete...

How to moisture test concrete floors: no single test tells you everything.
February 1, 2006... Testing concrete slabs for excess moisture has become a common construction requirement, particularly where flooring or impermeable membranes are to be installed on top of the slab. But, while several standard moisture test methods are...

Cable-stayed concrete wonder: Charleston's new Cooper River Bridge presented concrete construction challenges.
February 1, 2006... Antebellum landmarks may be sacred in Charleston, S.C., but the recently opened Cooper River Bridge (officially known as the Arthur P. Ravenel Bridge) has changed at least part of the city's skyline in a big way. As North America's longest...

Out with the old.
February 1, 2006... Now that the new bridge is in service, the two existing structures, the John P. Grace Memorial Bridge and the Silas N. Pearman Bridge, are currently being demolished. This kind of work can be dangerous without the right equipment. The...

Flat floors, mega pours: 1980s mark the turning point in slab construction.
February 1, 2006... Half a century ago, in the early days of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, it was big news to hear about a project where 5000 square feet of floor was placed and finished in one day. Completing a 3000-cubic-yard mat pour in less than a day was unheard of....

Working with flammable solvents.(Decorative Concrete)
February 1, 2006... There are advantages to using volatile solvents in decorative coloring agents like dyes: They spray well and dry immediately, very controlled work can be achieved, they don't puddle and run, you can apply multiple coats very quickly, and they...

Cast-in-place fire pit or parking barrier.(Decorative Concrete Products)
February 1, 2006... The Stone-Crete fire pit is primarily a decorative feature. But this cast-in-place item can serve as decorative landscape planter. And in today's security conscious world, it can be used as a decorative parking barrier or bollard for homeland...

Adhesive stencils.(Decorative Concrete Products)
February 1, 2006... Sticky-Bak adhesive backed stencils are made of a high-strength, flexible material that does not lose form and is water permeable. These non-residue stencils are available in a variety of patterns. They can be used in troweled-down and vertical...

Acrylic surfacing systems for ICF.(Decorative Concrete Products)
February 1, 2006... Resembling stucco or natural stone, Finestone Textured Acrylic Systems for insulating concrete forms (ICFs) are available in a virtually limitless color selection. They provide a flexible, monolithic, and weather-resistant barrier over the...

Floor sealer beautifies, strengthens.(Decorative Concrete Products)
February 1, 2006... Tigerbond 221 high-solids epoxy floor coating beautifies and strengthens concrete, brick, wood, and metal floors. This two-component floor sealer helps create a durable, cleanable, and light-reflective floor that has excellent adhesion and...

Textured concrete coating.(Decorative Concrete Products)
February 1, 2006... Available in a variety of colors and textures, GrailCoat is a direct-applied concrete coating that's waterproof, yet permeable, and does not require repainting. Because it doe not take on water, it will not flake, crack, or peel--even in...

Decorative problem clinic.(Decorative Concrete)
February 1, 2006... Q. On an upcoming job, the owner is thinking about using paper stencils. I've seen the coloring and texturing part of this operation done before, so I think I'll be OK there. But is there anything special I need to do when placing the slab? ...

Supporting soils.(Slabs on Grade)
February 1, 2006... This is the first of an every-other-month column on slabs, based on the book Designing Floor Slabs on Grade by Boyd C. Ringo and Robert B. Anderson. Bob Anderson is in the process of updating this book and a third edition is due out later this...

A jacket for your cold concrete.(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2006... Q. What can I do so that I can place concrete in the winter the same as I do in July? A. The simple answer is, you can't! "Think of it this way: If you are cold and need a jacket, the concrete is also reacting to cold conditions and may...

Concrete under water.(Problem Clinic)
February 1, 2006... Q. I just got a spec for underwater concrete that includes air entrainment of 5% to 7%. In the past I have found that air in underwater concrete causes slump loss problems. FYI, for every 33 feet you go down, you decrease the air volume by 50%....

Four-cycle rammers.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... The Stomper line of rammers now includes three models with 4-cycle engines, eliminating 2-cycle oil and pre-mixing fuel. These well-balanced, smooth-running machines are powered by Honda engines and meet the toughest emission standards. The...

Rammer with electronic oil sensor.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... The new BS 50-4s and BS 60-4s rammers feature low oil shut off. This patent-pending system uses an electronic sensor incorporated into the engine. The engine is also specially designed to withstand the vibration of a rammer application. The...

Rammers cut vibration.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... These gasoline-powered rammers--MT-65HA, MT-74FA, and MT-84FA--include contoured handles that reduce vibration by up to 61%. They deliver up to 3500 pounds of impact force on 660-700 blows per minute, depending on the model. They offer premium...

Mid-size percussion rammer.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... Powered by a 3-hp Honda four-cycle engine with diaphragm carburetion, this 142-pound percussion rammer delivers up to 700 bpm at 3800 pounds/blow. The R440HC features a noise attenuating 4.6-quart fuel tank, low center of gravity, tough...

Rammer delivers 30-inch compaction depth.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... The 148-pound CompactionPro 65 rammer delivers 4380 pounds per blow, with half the vibrations. The rammer's working speed is 40 feet/minute, with productivity of 2040 square feet/hour and a compaction depth of 30 inches. Its 3-hp, 4-cycle Honda...

Easy maneuvering rammers.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... The RX series upright rammers are built for compacting materials ranging from mixed and cohesive soils to heavy clay. The low profile, lightweight design makes them suitable for backfilling, narrow trench compaction, and foundation and masonry...

Vibratory plate compactors.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... Three sizes of vibratory plate compactor are available with centrifugal forces up to 3600 pounds and operating weights up to 200 pounds. They feature an 8-point damping system to isolate vibration from machine components and the operator, and...

Reversible plate compactor.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... Ideal for work on granular, cohesive, and mixed soils, the BPR45/55D reversible plate compactor offers an 8.9-hp air-cooled diesel engine that delivers nearly 50% more power than its predecessor. Increased power, combined with new base-plate...

Compactor with continuous control system.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... The CR 8 reversible plate compactors feature the new Compatrol continuous compaction control system. It allows operators to avoid over- and under-compaction, and permits constant monitoring of soil compaction. The degree of compaction can be...

Vibratory compactor.(Product Update)
February 1, 2006... The CT 48 vibratory compactor features a water-cooled diesel engine, four independent hydraulic circuits, articulated steering, and 14,500 pounds of centrifugal force on 48-inch-wide drums. It has excellent visibility of the drum working area,...

Fibers in concrete on metal deck.(Products Solving Problems)
February 1, 2006... In September 2003, federal, state, and local officials broke ground for the new U.S. Census Bureau Headquarters in Suitland, Maryland. The new 1.5 million-square-foot complex, a $331 million investment, will feature two eight-story, curvilinear...

Migutan provides joint sealing solutions.(Products Solving Problems)
February 1, 2006... Deck expansion joint sealing is critical to parking structure performance and longevity. Even more critical than watertightness of joints is parking deck design that incorporates a structural slab waterproofing membrane under a wear-course or...

New 1-9DEZ shot blaster.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2006... The new Blastrac[R] 1-9DEZ is a highly portable shot blasting system for preparing concrete surfaces prior to the application of paint or coatings. Perfect for smaller jobs or tight areas, the 19DEZ runs on 120 volt power to strip, clean and...

No more capping every rebar.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2006... Carnie Cap[TM] is the most effective way to cap exposed rebar and the danger it can create at your job site--worker impalement. When subject to impact, the weight is distributed over the entire protective system. Works with horizontal,...

Grout pumps.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2006... 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, 2006... 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)
February 1, 2006... 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)
February 1, 2006... "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...

Solutions for corrosion problems.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2006... Corrosion Restoration Technologies (CRT) offers cost effective and engineered solutions for problems affecting structures. CRT has pioneered the development of thermal spray and metalizing for corrosion protection of steel and concrete. CRT...

Yanmar industrial engines.(Products for the Pros showcase)
February 1, 2006... 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...

Bontrager Concrete Kevin Bontrager, president Nappanee, Ind.(Contractors to Watch)
February 1, 2006... * We do mostly residential work and some light commercia--if it resembles residential. We don't get into heavy commercial stuff. * This is the beginning of our 41st year in business. Dad started the business in 1965, and my brother Duane...