Concrete Construction articles from July 2005

Concrete Construction archives from July 2005

Keep on growing.(Editorial Comment)
July 1, 2005... This month we present, for the fifth year, our list of the top 100 concrete contractors in the United States. Some of you will say to yourself, yeah, but who cares? A perfectly valid response since your gross revenue is not all that relevant to...

Working for free.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... I enjoyed reading your editorial comment in the February issue of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION. In response to the question of held retainage, pay-if-paid contracts, and owners that refuse to pay on change orders, I can offer our policy on these...

Earlier tile placement.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Desiccant dehumidification (March, p. 86) looks like a very nice solution that will allow tile to be placed on concrete sooner. I would also like to mention another solution that will save even more time and will also save money. The main...

Grain elevators.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
July 1, 2005... Regarding concrete grain elevators (Feb., p. 12), please refer to http: //ah.bfn.org//h/elev/hist/e/index.html. In the second section from the bottom is a paragraph indicating that in 1906 "the first concrete elevator [was] erected on the...

Alan Wilson to speak at the first annual TCA convention.(News & Events)
July 1, 2005... Alan Wilson, AIA, design principal at the Haskell Co., has agreed to speak at the first annual convention hosted by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA). The theme, "Tilt-Up 4 Today: Energy, Environment, Economy, Efficiency," was...

U.S. cement shortage dire as construction maintains momentum.(News & Events)
July 1, 2005... The Associated General Contractors of America has called on Commerce Secretary Carlos Gutierrez to intervene in the increasingly dire shortage of cement in the United States before major economic disruptions occur. AGC has received reports from...

CSDA largest convention elects its first woman president.(News & Events)
July 1, 2005... The Concrete Sawing and Drilling Association elected Susan Hollingsworth the first woman president in the organization's 33-year history at the annual convention held in February. Hollingsworth is a veteran of both the industry and the...

What every contractor should know.(News & Events)
July 1, 2005... David E. Kalb, president of Capitol Services has written a book of "answers to real world licensing questions for California, Nevada, and Arizona." An expert on contractor licensing issues, he also writes the weekly column "Kalb's Capitol...

Degussa Admixtures patents 4x4 concrete.(News & Events)
July 1, 2005... Degussa Admixtures has been awarded a patent for its new 4x4 Concrete, a system of innovative admixtures used to produce very high early-strength concrete for repairing deteriorated highway pavements and airport runways. Developed in response...

Working with concrete in extreme temperatures.(News & Events)
July 1, 2005... Extreme temperatures call for special measures when working with concrete. The Portland Cement Association (PCA) has introduced Hot and Cold Weather Concreting (CD057), a new training program providing an introduction to the effects of hot or...

Whole firm marketing.(The Business of Concrete Contracting)
July 1, 2005... Many contractors we work with believe that their marketing and sales efforts are the weakest link in their organizations. When we probe a little deeper to understand their concerns, we find that most are stuck in an "old school" marketing frame...

Cracks cracks cracks.(Erlin & Hime on Concrete)
July 1, 2005... They come in all configurations, shapes, and widths: from gigantic to nearly invisible, from invisible to the naked eye but visible under a microscope to invisible even under a microscope--that is, the nonstructurally induced cracks. With...

Rancho Arroyo, California.(project of the month)
July 1, 2005... In a remote mountain location between Los Angeles and San Francisco, a 4000-acre ranch site is gradually coming of age. When complete, it will include a winery, an olive farm, a horse-training and -trading facility, greenhouses, and a number of...

The 2005 CC100: seeking higher quality and margins.(CC100)(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... Concrete contractors are like farmers--things are never perfect. In the hot years of the late 1990s, labor shortages abounded and quality suffered. Fighting to find business and get decent margins were the main woes during the cold years from...

Tips for building PT slabs: what concrete contractors need to know about post-tensioned slabs on ground.
July 1, 2005... Designing slab-on-ground foundations to include unbonded post-tensioning reinforcement is one good way to control cracking without cutting joints. Although the concrete for such slabs may be the same as that used for slabs with standard rebar,...

Where contractors are trusted partners: at the best construction supply houses it's all about service and relationships.
July 1, 2005... As a contractor I remember leaving a jobsite hot and tired, after a very long day. We needed supplies to start a new job early the next morning. It took more than an hour driving across town during rush hour to reach my supplier before closing...

Waterborne urethane coatings for concrete.(Decorative Concrete)
July 1, 2005... Larry Good, chemical engineer for Specialty Concrete Products, West Columbia, S.C., defines coatings as products that penetrate into concrete, and sealers as products that form films on top. For this reason, solvent urethane and epoxies, which...

Cover unsightly concrete.(Decorative Concrete Products)
July 1, 2005... From driveways and sidewalks to entryways and pool decks, Texture-Crete and Spray-Deck overlay systems are the ultimate cover-up for plain, old, or unsightly concrete. Available in a wide array of colors and patterns, both systems create...

Texture tools.(Decorative Concrete Products)
July 1, 2005... Faux Brick texture rollers add texture and accent color to concrete and provide an antique look to stenciled concrete. Rollers come in two widths: 22 5/8 inches for imprinting continuous texture in large areas, and 6 inches for small areas....

Roller stamping system.(Decorative Concrete Products)
July 1, 2005... The Rock 'N' Roller is a roller, weight, and spray release system that creates 3-D impressions on concrete with all the details of natural stone or brick. Made of a durable outer layer of polyurethane, it is lightweight, easy to use, and can...

Hands-free color spreader.(Decorative Concrete Products)
July 1, 2005... The process of applying color hardeners and release agents by hand can be inconsistent, wasteful, and even unhealthy. The Color Spreader is a novel hand tool that spreads color evenly over concrete without having to throw the solution around by...

Faux finish stain and glaze.(Decorative Concrete Products)
July 1, 2005... The MarbleTone rugged two-step stain and glaze process highlights the beauty of concrete floors while also sealing them for easier cleaning. Finished floors can be safely cleaned with water, detergents, solvents, and acid-based solutions. The...

No-mess material mixing.(Decorative Concrete Products)
July 1, 2005... The Bucket Gripper allows users to mix materials in a 5-gallon bucket without spinning the bucket. Simply attach the gripper to the bucket, step onto it, and mix. With a platform as wide as 14 inches, users have the comfort, safety, and grip...

Decorative problem clinic.(Decorative Concrete)
July 1, 2005... Q. I recently did a stamping job on a long driveway. Part of the job went fine, but in some areas the concrete had already started setting, so we had trouble getting it to take the same textures. How can I overcome that problem on my next...

Ordering ready-mixed concrete.(Concrete Basics)
July 1, 2005... The key to placing an order for ready-mixed concrete is to provide all the basic detailed information and to keep the requirements as simple as possible and relevant to the application. The ready-mixed concrete producer has mixture formulations...

Sealing vapor barrier penetrations.(Problem Clinic)
July 1, 2005... Q. I am consulting on a new commercial building, specifically for indoor air quality issues. I read a good article on your Web site, "Preventing Moisture Problems" by Martha Van Geem and Medgar Marceau. I have one follow-up question regarding...

Explaining odd test results.(Problem Clinic)
July 1, 2005... Q. We have had a problem with the compressive strength of some grade 25 concrete. The 7-day cylinder break results indicated that the strength was 3090 psi, while the 28-day test result was 3178 psi. Is this possible? A. It is not possible...

Insulating concrete forms.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... Over the past decade, the insulating concrete form (ICF) industry has focused on selling to homeowners. ICFs are appealing because of energy savings, wind resistance, and noise reduction. Total ICF shipments last year increased 26% in North...

ICF walls engineered for results.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... The Engineered Wall System by Phoenix Systems is an affordable, efficient ICF system that delivers energy savings, noise reduction, severe weather protection, and healthier indoor air than traditional homes. Installation is quick and easy. The...

ICF system for tall walls.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... Ideal for tall wall applications, this insulating concrete form system handles 8-foot concrete pours in one lift without blowouts. Features include 1.5-inch-wide metal attachment studs on 8-inch centers, 2.5-inch-thick expanded polystyrene for...

ICF technology for home construction.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... Homes constructed with Nudura Insulating Concrete Form building technology are three times more sound-resistant and two times more energy-efficient than typical wood flame homes, according to the manufacturer. The system replaces wood studs and...

ICF corner reinforcing strap.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... The weakest spots in any ICF wall during concrete placement are the corners. The Logix corner reinforcing strap is a molded-in-place metal strap that strengthens corner form units. This helps the units better resist pressure of concrete...

Insulating capacity and structural integrity.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... The Arxx wall systems of interlocking expanded polystyrene forms are designed to be an integral part of the wall. The insulating capacity of expanded polystyrene coupled with the structural integrity of reinforced concrete combines to make...

Plastic tied ICFs.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... The PolyPro Knock-down Flat Wall form is a plastic-tied ICF that can be shipped as a flat panel and assembled on the jobsite in a variety of wall thicknesses from 4 to 24 inches. This results in an affordable form that is easier to ship and...

Panelized ICF wall systems.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... The IntegraSpec ICF wall system consists of flippable, reversible panels of superior strength expanded polystyrene with locking webs that accommodate concrete core thicknesses from 4 inches to more than 24 inches in 2-inch increments. The walls...

Helps with LEED certification.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... The iForm insulating concrete form was designed for easy installation. The 48x16-inch panels are reversible, with no top or bottom, no male or female ends, and no left or right corners. The recessed plastic ties were designed with loose fit,...

New tie design.(Product Update)
July 1, 2005... Tritex ICF Products has developed a new tie design for its Xillix insulating concrete forms that make it easier for contractors to affix exterior and interior finishes. Each tie has a thicker furring strip with increased fastener withdrawal...

Proactive service boosts productivity.(Products Solving Problems)
July 1, 2005... Most contractors know the importance of good service and maintenance to keep their equipment available and productive. But as equipment outlets and suppliers consolidate their operations, reducing service and limiting their parts inventories,...

Ridley C-10[TM].(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 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...

No more capping every rebar.(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 1, 2005... 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,...

The most powerful hand pump in the industry.(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 1, 2005... With more than 40 years of experience, ChemGrout continues to manufacture the most powerful hand pump in the industry. The CG050M utilizes a durable 2" piston pump that produces injection pressures of more than 200 psi and a vertical lift...

Pave Patch 3000 adds fizz to the Coca-Cola 600.(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 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...

Repair vertical & overhead concrete.(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 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 cycles and...

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

Control joints for walls.(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 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] ANPHISOF[TM] Seal. Add extra water control where it is needed, THE INSIDE! Stop taking chances with...

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

Conquest3D.(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 1, 2005... Conquest3D is the new 3D visualization software for Ground Penetrating Radar (GPR) data collected with Sensors & Software's Conquest concrete imaging system. A simple and intuitive user interface allows the Conquest GPR data to be quickly...

TF System[R].(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 1, 2005... The Vertical ICF was designed to mimic traditional concrete forms, combining the benefits of ICF construction with conventional concrete forming techniques. Lightweight components assemble from the ground or floor level. The vertical...

Contractors to watch.
July 1, 2005... * I started out working for a big general contractor who got bought out. That was in 1972. My three sons and I started out doing big custom homes, then went into multifamily and then commercial. We knew lots of people in the commercial...