Concrete Construction articles from September 2005

Concrete Construction archives from September 2005

Biased towards greatness.(Editorial Comment)
September 1, 2005... Choosing the 10 most influential people in the concrete industry is a daunting task--one I approached with some trepidation. How could we single out 10 people from among all those doing great work? As an engineer, I like to take a...

Correction: thermosetting.(Reader Response)(Correction Notice)
September 1, 2005... In the July 2005 issue of CONCRETE CONSTRUCTION, in the Decorative Concrete section, Waterborne Urethane Coatings for Concrete, on page 68, we stated that "two-component waterborne urethane coatings are thermoplastic setting." This is an error:...

More grain elevators.(Reader Response)
September 1, 2005... In your February issue a question was asked about the first concrete grain elevator. Here's something from the city of St. Louis Park, Minn., Web site (www.stlouispark.org): "In 1899, St. Louis Park became the home to the world's...

Another measurement system.(Reader Response)
September 1, 2005... Did you know that the rest of the world now uses a system called metric? It would be great if you could do the same, even if you put the metric equivalents in brackets. I know, I should be able to convert them, but let's look forward, not...

Highway bill passed--at last.(News & Events)
September 1, 2005... President Bush signed the long awaited "Safe, Accountable, Flexible and Efficient Transportation Equity Act--A Legacy for Users" (SAFETEA-LU) at the Caterpillar plant near Montgomery, Ill., on August 10. The bill will provide $286.4 billion...

Self-consolidating concrete conference 2005.(News & Events)
September 1, 2005... The second North American Conference on the design and use of self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is scheduled for October 30 to November 2, 2005, in Chicago. SCC continues to be an innovative material in the concrete construction industry, one...

ACI 318-05 Building Code requirements for structural concrete.(News & Events)
September 1, 2005... This most recent edition of the ACI Building Code, revised from the 2002 edition, provides minimum requirements for the design and construction of reinforced concrete structural elements. Written so that it may be adopted by reference in a...

WOC Mexico gets "Grande".(News & Events)
September 1, 2005... Mirroring the growth of Mexican construction, World of Concrete Mexico 2005 in June attracted about 10% more attendees, and 75 more exhibitors than the 2004 inaugural show. Attendees this year saw a wide range of concrete industry-related...

Specifier's guide to durable concrete.(News & Events)
September 1, 2005... This new publication from the Portland Cement Association is an instructional guide and basic reference for those responsible for writing and implementing concrete specifications. It covers the basic concepts of concrete technology as it...

Tilt-up advantages for school construction.(News & Events)
September 1, 2005... Dan Pratt, vice president of the building division of Hughes General Contractors, has been added to the list of speakers for the first annual convention hosted by the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) to be held Oct. 12-15 in Atlanta. The...

Learning about ICFs.(News & Events)
September 1, 2005... If you're not familiar with insulating concrete forms (ICFs), this course is an excellent introduction. ICFs are a popular and fast-growing new method of constructing high-performance exterior walls for a home. The full-day course covers the...

Go-Mexico!(News & Events)
September 1, 2005... Explore the booming Mexican housing market at the 3rd International Housing Conference of the Americas, November 3-5, 2005, at the Four Seasons hotel in Mexico City. Co-hosted by NAHB and Mexico's home builders association, CANADEVI, this...

Having problems motivating employees? Look in the mirror.(The Business of Concrete Contracting)
September 1, 2005... Motivating employees to achieve peak performance day in and day out is one of the most challenging aspects of managing a construction team. How can we get our field managers to work as hard and care as much about the project as we do? To solve...

The world as we have known it.(Erlin & Hime on Concrete)
September 1, 2005... We have been inside and outside a lot of problems during our combined 100-plus years of service to our industry. When we first started, the industry was staid--barely crawling along--and everyone wanted to make, and sell, bulk Type I portland...

Sidney Lanier Bridge: Brunswick, Georgia.(project of the month)
September 1, 2005... Traversing the Brunswick River, the new 2500-foot-long Sidney Lanier Bridge is the longest and tallest cable-stayed bridge in Georgia. T.Y. Lin International designed the concrete alternative, which replaces a 1956 lift-span bridge. Jointly...

The 10 most influential people in the concrete industry: CC set out to find those who are leading the charge across this diverse and dynamic business.
September 1, 2005... The Repair Contractor: Peter Emmons, Structural Group Leading with knowledge Often, when a young engineer starts his own construction company, it prospers until his technical skills become secondary to the need to manage a rapidly...

Software for hard jobs: contractors have some powerful tools in today's software.
September 1, 2005... Like a kid jumping into the pool feet first, the construction industry has rapidly gone from lagging to leading in the use of computers. A mere 10 years ago, the world was just getting used to Windows 95. And although some progressive...

Artificial polymer rockwork.(Decorative Concrete)
September 1, 2005... In past articles we have profiled different methods for building artificial rockwork, including: * building frames with rebar and lath, applying concrete over them, and hand carving shapes and textures * making glass-fiber-reinforced...

Chiseled-edge side forms.(Decorative Concrete Products)
September 1, 2005... These side forms produce a beautiful chiseled edge for risers, terracing, and even concrete countertops. The polyurethane liner is attached to the inside of the forms prior to pouring concrete. The forms produce a 1.5-inch relief depth. When...

Decorative border stamps.(Decorative Concrete Products)
September 1, 2005... Designed for decorative flatwork, the Border Art Stamps are laid first, and covered with the desired texture skin. Then both are imprinted together. The stamps can follow any free-form contours as well as straight-line borders. The newest...

Restore stone floors.(Decorative Concrete Products)
September 1, 2005... The CR48 Diamond Finisher is an operator-friendly floor finishing system for the preparation and restoration of cement, marble, granite, terrazzo, and other stone floors. It uses a planetary three-head counter-rotation system to prepare and...

Epoxy terrazzo floors.(Decorative Concrete Products)
September 1, 2005... Developed with natural marble aggregate, granite, mother-of-pearl, polyester chips, or recycled glass, the Thin-Set Epoxy Terrazzo system has a decorative, seamless finish well suited for high traffic. It doesn't contain volatile organic...

Moving forward with concrete pumps.(Concrete Basics)
September 1, 2005... Centuries ago, builders used buckets, barrels, and wheelbarrows to help erect the pyramids. Oddly, many contractors are still using that backbreaking, outdated technology for concrete and mortar jobs. A better choice for many jobs is to pump....

When to build.(Problem Clinic)
September 1, 2005... In our February Problem Clinic there was a question on when it is safe to construct a block wall on a concrete slab foundation. The answer indicated that the determining factor is the compressive strength of the concrete. A reader wrote to...

Acceptable cracks.(Problem Clinic)
September 1, 2005... Q. hope that you may be able to shed some light on what an "acceptable" crack is in a residential slab. I have read and heard that the one truth in concrete is that it will crack. The only thing that we can do as contractors is control where it...

Stone, gravel, or aggregate?(Problem Clinic)
September 1, 2005... Q. I have a specification calling for #89 gravel in the concrete mix and #57 stone for the subbase. What do these numbers mean? A. This all comes from ASTM C 33, "Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates." First, there's really no...

Tailored for construction.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... CMiC for Heavy Construction is project management software tailored to the needs of contractors involved in building highways and other capital-intensive construction projects. The package leverages the features and functions of the company's...

New tools for commercial construction.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... ControlBoard 2.0 features new tools for the commercial construction industry. Along with an intuitive spreadsheet-style interface and easy drag-and-drop features, it comes with an interactive calendar view, enhanced printing and emailing...

Customized software for construction industry.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... Corecon 4.0 is a customized, Web-based estimating and project management system for general contractors, subcontractors, homebuilders, remodelers, architects, and engineers. Key features of the Subcontractors Edition include a multi-tier...

Win bids through standardized estimating.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... Bid2Win is a Windows-based cost estimation and bidding solution for the construction industry. Its architecture is built on Microsoft.NET and SQL Server technology for a competitive advantage, performance, and flexibility. It helps construction...

Software automates billing process.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... BillQuick software helps you automate the time-keeping, project management, and billing process, giving you more time to make money. The software features expense recording, report generation and invoicing through the Web, email, or PDAs. Built...

Flexible accounting software.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... Whether you are a large general contractor or a small subcontractor, you will appreciate the features in Peachtree Premium Accounting for Construction 2006 software. Core features include progress billing, accrual-based tracking, job costing,...

Manage mountains of paperwork easily.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... Foundation for Windows Project Management Module provides immediate access to the mountains of documentation that accumulate on a job. Tracking from within your accounting system, it delivers a whole new level of administrative control. The...

Bid more jobs, win more work.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... HeavyBid Express is for the smaller or growing contractor to help with working up cost estimates, accessing bids, and submitting them electronically. It generates professional quotes, keeps records, and connects with other software packages. It...

Maximize your profits.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... QuickBooks Premier Contractors Edition 2005 is a financial software package that lets contractors maximize profits by showing which jobs are making money. It lets you keep all your job data in one place without having to re-enter. It is easy...

Take control of bidding process.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... BIDDAY is a 32-bit program for Windows 95/NT that gives you the ability to make the most of your time. The tool helps you take control and ensure that when you accept a bid, your markup will be applied and your bottom line will be accurate. It...

Manage resources, schedules, and workflow.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... The Prolog Application Suite provides project management control for large to mid-sized contractors, allowing them to manage resources, schedules, and workflow. The software lets you view all company projects to find trends and identify...

Complete project management software.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... Timberline Office includes estimating, accounting, project management, procurement, reporting, and other tools that cover the entire project life cycle. A new application, Document Management, allows contractors to automatically index, archive,...

Software update with hundreds of new features.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... Version 12 of Forefront Construction Management includes hundreds of new features for heavy and highway contractors. It offers a SQL database structure, the ability to track meeting minutes, as well as two new document imaging capabilities. The...

Wireless connection to the jobsite.(Software for contractors)
September 1, 2005... Trimble Construction Manager uses GPS technology to connect the office with the jobsite, reducing operating costs and improving construction efficiency. The system locates and manages assets onsite via Nextel hand-held phones and in-vehicle GPS...

Time and labor savings in store with macrofibers.(Products Solving Problems)
September 1, 2005... Wal-Mart's new Salt Lake City Supercenter offers shoppers everything from groceries and general merchandise to a McDonald's, vision center, hair salon, and portrait studio all under one roof. Encompassing more than 200,000 square feet of retail...

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

Blastrac Dust Collector.(Products for the Pros showcase)
September 1, 2005... The Blastrac[R] 1-13DC Dust Collector is a compact, versatile vacuum for use with hand tools and small walk-behind scarifiers, concrete grinders and shot blasters. It features a rugged, resin-reinforced, pressure-molded plastic chassis and body...

No more capping every rebar.(Products for the Pros showcase)
September 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)
September 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)
September 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 joints (forever) in seconds.(Products for the Pros showcase)
September 1, 2005... We PERMANENTLY repaired thee feet of caulk cohesion failure in just 15 seconds with Polytite! Dayton Polytite is a pre-compressed joint sealant that forms a watertight, dust-proof, airtight, soundproof urethane insulated seal quickly and...

Gates steel frame form gang adapter.(Products for the Pros showcase)
September 1, 2005... Now you can gang form with your steel frame hand set panels. Lower your labor cost with Gates Gang Form Adapter System's fast assembly of large or small gang panels making it economical for you to gang and crane set projects you may have...

Gates stadium riser and stair form.(Products for the Pros showcase)
September 1, 2005... Finish your job ahead of schedule. Let Gates custom design and build gang forms for your next riser job. Gates can build straight or radius forms for a small set of stairs up to a large stadium Forms can be designed to be moved and placed...

The Eradicator[TM] form removal system.(Products for the Pros showcase)
September 1, 2005... The Eradicator[TM] solves an old problem using revolutionary technology. Without breaking your back, you can easily remove form boards, stakes, steel pins, steel frames, fence posts, ground rods and more without destroying forms. The detachable...

Jimmy "T" Stake & Nail Puller.(Products for the Pros showcase)
September 1, 2005... 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...

Molecular Cement Dissolver.(Products for the Pros showcase)
September 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)
September 1, 2005... Request the new Scofield Systems brochure for an easy selection guide. See the Difference with professional stains, dry-shake hardener, and texturing tools, and cementitious toppings. Find out about our next generation of compatible and more...

We have a weekly leadership meeting every Monday morning with five to 10 people.(Contractors to Watch)
September 1, 2005... * We have a weekly leadership meeting every Monday morning with five to 10 people. The first thing on the agenda is safety. Then we talk about major jobs that are underway and whether there are any issues: receivables, schedule, manpower. We...

Baker started as an entrepreneurial company but at some point you have to combine the entrepreneurial spirit with sound business practice.(Contractors to Watch)
September 1, 2005... * Baker started as an entrepreneurial company but at some point you have to combine the entrepreneurial spirit with sound business practice. That's where a lot of companies fall by the wayside. They never make that shift. We go through once a...

Our ideal project is working for a construction manager who has put a concrete package out for bid.(Contractors to Watch)
September 1, 2005... * Our ideal project is working for a construction manager who has put a concrete package out for bid. When a GC takes a lump sum job, we need to beat the GC's estimate. In these bigger jobs, the air gets thin. There aren't that many companies...

During my junior and senior years of college, I was working as a laborer for a contractor.(Contractors to Watch)
September 1, 2005... * During my junior and senior years of college, I was working as a laborer for a contractor. When I graduated from college in 1974, it was a tough time so I went back to the contractor as a management trainee doing cost accounting. I ended up...

There was talk as the company was growing that we could market from the outside or inside.(Contractors to Watch)
September 1, 2005... * There was talk as the company was growing that we could market from the outside or inside. I was approached in 1987 to do the marketing, and I said no since Baker was an operations-based company and there was the perception that marketing was...

In April 2003, I was put back in charge of all the operations in Cincinnati.(Contractors to Watch)
September 1, 2005... * In April 2003, I was put back in charge of all the operations in Cincinnati. I had come full circle since that's what I did when I first started with Baker. Mike Schneider Vice President Operations Baker Concrete Construction

A year and a half ago, I also became the chief people officer--the HR department reports to me.(Contractors to Watch)
September 1, 2005... * A year and a half ago, I also became the chief people officer--the HR department reports to me. People are our No. 1 asset. The only thing that limits our growth is qualified people. If you have good people, the financial side will take care...

We don't mind good competition; it's naive competition that we can't take.(Contractors to Watch)
September 1, 2005... * We don't mind good competition; it's naive competition that we can't take. There are lots of hard-working people in this business, but many are not very good business people. So educating and raising the bar is important, and that's part of...