Concrete Construction articles from June 2005

Concrete Construction archives from June 2005

Why not concrete?(Editorial Comment)
June 1, 2005... At the most recent meeting of the American Concrete Institute in New York City, Senior Editor Joe Nasvik and I had the opportunity to meet with some of the people who are taking the concrete message to the streets of New York (Joe's story...

Finishing lightweight concrete--contractors beware!(Reader Response)
June 1, 2005... The January 2005 issue of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION included an article entitled "Finishing Lightweight Air-Entrained Concrete." In response to that article, the American Society of Concrete Contractors Technical Review Committee sent a letter to...

Letter from ASCC.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... I read with interest your article titled Finishing Lightweight Air-Entrained Concrete," which discussed causes of delamination of lightweight concrete slabs. The theme that seems to be implied in the article ("No problem if you follow standard...

Response from the lightweight concrete industry.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... From our perspective, the article as well as the response by Mr. Ahal makes excellent points in addressing the issue of finishing lightweight concrete. However the real issue as we see it is not finishing lightweight concrete but finishing...

Working for free.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... I've worked in both the tire protection and concrete industries in Florida and have seen several approaches to deal with the "working for free" problem (Editorial Comment, March 2005). 1. Periodically, weed out less desirable contractors...

Moving salts.(Reader Response)(Letter to the Editor)
June 1, 2005... I take issue with my good friend Adam Neville and a former (decades ago!) colleague, Bob Tobin, on their March Problem Clinic article. Most, if not all, of the efflorescence is due to salts moving up the sides of the concrete, not through it....

Keynote speakers chosen for tilt-up convention.(News & Events)
June 1, 2005... David D. Shepherd, director of sustainable development for the Portland Cement Association, has been selected as the keynote speaker for the first annual convention hosted by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA). Shepherd's presentation,...

Women in Concrete Network.(News & Events)
June 1, 2005... CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION and THE CONCRETE PRODUCER magazines are planning a networking lunch followed by an afternoon forum to help develop a Women in Concrete Network at the World of Concrete 2006 next January. Women in the industry will have an...

Construction worksite Spanish-English books available.(News & Events)
June 1, 2005... If you are looking to improve communication with your Spanish-speaking workers, two new publications from the American Road & Transportation Builders Association (ARTBA) and the National Association of Women in Construction, can make your job...

Controlling moisture in concrete floors.(News & Events)
June 1, 2005... Concrete Floors and Moisture, a new 164-page book from PCA, explores how to prevent unwanted moisture in concrete floors--a problem causing millions of dollars in damage to buildings annually in the United States. Problems from excessive...

Celebrate 30 years with the CFA.(News & Events)
June 1, 2005... The Concrete Foundations Association will celebrate its 30th anniversary at its Annual Summer Meeting in San Francisco, July 6-9, 2005. Educational seminars will be held at the Hyatt Regency San Francisco in Embarcadero Center on Thursday,...

NRMCA unveils new logo.(News & Events)
June 1, 2005... The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has unveiled a new logo as part of its 75th anniversary celebration. The green color of the logo and the modernized mixer drum image were selected to reinforce to the industry and public that...

MAPEI Americas president honored by Boys' Towns of Italy.(News & Events)
June 1, 2005... The Florida Chapter of the Boys' Towns of Italy, the oldest American charity in service abroad, has named Nick Di Tempora, president of MAPEI Americas, as their "2005 Man of the Year." Di Tempora's personal interest in the welfare of children...

Create employee teams to develop better processes.(The Business of Concrete Contracting)
June 1, 2005... Too often when problems are discovered on construction projects, it is too late to correct them. That's because most management tools analyze historical information and are typically used to place blame on the responsible parties. A good...

Strength--whatever it may mean and whatever its purpose.(Erlin & Hime on Concrete)
June 1, 2005... In New York it's pronounced "strenth." To concrete people it's compressive, flexural, tensile, or shear strength. To others it may mean muscle strength, the strength needed to rip a telephone book in two or open a jar, the strength to lift...

Toledo Museum of Art: Glass Pavilion.(Project of the month)
June 1, 2005... From its humble first exhibition space in two rented rooms, the Toledo Museum of Art, Toledo, Ohio, has grown to cover approximately 32 acres with six buildings. Its latest addition, the Glass Pavilion, began in May 2004. Built of glass...

New York rises with concrete: structural reinforced concrete leads a New York City construction boom.
June 1, 2005... Two organizations are having great success increasing the use of concrete in high-rise construction in New York City. The Cement League membership includes union concrete contractors who specialize in structural reinforced concrete...

Concrete that drains: pervious concrete's ability to store rainwater is making it a popular pavement.
June 1, 2005... Most people consider concrete to be impervious--after all, it's and kitchen sinks. And most concrete is, indeed, nearly watertight. But a new kind of concrete that allows water to flow through virtually unimpeded is gaining popularity. Pervious...

The gentle art of fogging: knowing why, when, and how to fog can help you beat the cracks.
June 1, 2005... Fogging, or fog spraying, is effective in reducing the chances of plastic shrinkage cracking in mixes with low rates of bleeding. It can also make the difference between success and failure in controlling evaporation between placing and curing...

Born of a need: emerging as true crack-control reinforcement, "structural" fibers have gained a stronger foothold in concrete.(Material Selection Guide: Fibers)
June 1, 2005... Synthetic fibers have been around for 25 years, and are acknowledged as being effective at controlling plastic shrinkage cracking in concrete and can be beneficial to help concrete resist abrasion and impact. A new generation of fibers, though,...

Stampable vertical overlays.(Decorative Concrete)
June 1, 2005... Vertical polymer cement mixes have been available for more than 15 years but interest has recently increased. These overlays were developed primarily for contractors who hand-carved artificial rockwork, which led to polymer mixes that could...

Overlay system for concrete surfaces.(Decorative Concrete Products)
June 1, 2005... Ideally suited for finishing any concrete surface, the Desert Crete Overlay system combines high-performance acrylic-modified cements with a unique pigmentation process. High-quality stone, brick, and tile patterns add a touch of sophistication...

Cover unsightly concrete.(Decorative Concrete Products)
June 1, 2005... From driveways and sidewalks to entryways and pool decks, TextureCrete 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...

Multi-purpose overlay system.(Decorative Concrete Products)
June 1, 2005... Deco-Top Overlay is a hybrid tri-polymer topping mix used to resurface concrete for repair or decorative applications. It may be stamped, acid stained, broomed, sprayed, troweled, or squeegeed. Its blend of polymers combines the best properties...

Skid-resistant floors.(Decorative Concrete Products)
June 1, 2005... With Durall Industrial Flooring's epoxy and color quartz application kits, concrete and wood floors can be flow-coated with 100% epoxy and colored quartz to make hard, skid-resistant surfaces. The 3M quartz used in these application kits is...

Curing with well water.(Problem Clinic)
June 1, 2005... Q. We are on a job where the only source of potable water for curing concrete is about a mile away. The general contractor plans on using a deep well as a water source for curing. While waiting for water quality test results, however, we...

What's new?(Problem Clinic)
June 1, 2005... Q. I am an interior design student and am currently taking a class on materials and systems. For our final paper and presentation we must find something new in construction. I came across something called PermaTreat (www.ietpower.com) and was...

Trailer-mounted concrete pumps.(Product Update)
June 1, 2005... One of the best ways to gauge a pump is by its pressure. Pressure determines the horizontal or vertical pumping distance. Trailer pumps are workhorses in the concrete industry, quietly doing their job with little fanfare and less exposure than...

A new approach to crossing the Tacoma Narrows.(Products Solving Problems)
June 1, 2005... The 2007 Narrows Bridge, being constructed near Tacoma, Wash., will be supported by hollow reinforced concrete towers rather than steel towers as in the adjacent bridge. However, rebar lap splices are prohibited in numerous portions of the new...

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

Repair vertical & overhead concrete.(Products for the Pros showcase)
June 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)
June 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...

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

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

Scofield Systems brochure.(Products for the Pros showcase)
June 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...

Closed-cell foam expansion joint filler.(Products for the Pros showcase)
June 1, 2005... Replace heavy, fragile fiberboard with Cellu-Cushion[R] EXP 200 closed-cell foam expansion joint filler. Stiff enough to use on straight joints, flexible enough to shape to contours. Over 97% thickness recovery when compressed. It is...

Conquest[TM].(Products for the Pros showcase)
June 1, 2005... Sensors & Software Inc.'s Conquest[TM] systems are designed for quick evaluation of concrete. Conquest[TM] delivers fast, real-time (on-the-spot) imaging for people who need to evaluate, drill or cut structures. Locate rebar, conduits,...

Mike Poppoff President Poppoff, Inc. Moxee, Wash.(Contractors to Watch)
June 1, 2005... * I didn't think I would end up a concrete guy. While I was in college I thought I would be a suit guy somewhere in downtown Seattle. During college there was a concrete contractor who lived next door to my morn and dad, and I worked for him...