Masonry Construction articles from February 2005

Masonry Construction archives from February 2005

Turn about needs fair play.(editor's note)(Editorial)
February 1, 2005... It's tough to be the old guy in a women's world, or at least that's how I felt a few weeks ago. I had been assigned to officiate a series of high school girls basketball tournament games. For the first time in 30 years, not only was I the...

Congress halts metric conversion plans.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Congress recently passed legislation that stops an effort to use federal procurement policy to force the concrete masonry industry to convert the size of CMUs sold for use in federal government construction. "This action taken by Congress to...

Lime symposium will discuss past, present, and future.(brickbats)(International Building Lime Symposium)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Contemporary and historic uses of lime in mortars, plasters, and stucco will be presented during the International Building Lime Symposium scheduled for March 9-11 in Orlando. About 40 technical papers and case studies will examine...

Symposium seeking masonry papers.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Symposium on Masonry sponsored by ASTM Committee C12 on Mortars and Grouts for Unit Masonry is seeking papers for presentation at its June 13 meeting in Toronto. The symposium, which is cosponsored by ASTM Committees C01 on Cement, C07 on...

Hydro Mobile planning national training blitz.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Hydro Mobile, the leading North American manufacturer of mast climbing work platforms, has announced plans for a national training blitz across America beginning in mid-February. The company is partnering with its 22 dealers to offer...

1500 Graduate from NCMA Program.(brickbats)(National Concrete Masonry Association )(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The National Concrete Masonry Association graduated 1500 from its Level 1 segmental retaining wall installer program during the past year. NCMA conducted 58 one-day installer training programs, and attendees obtaining a grade of 80% or higher...

Contest determines North Carolina's top apprentice.(brickbats)(North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Jaime Salas of Brodie Contractors, Raleigh, won the 51st Annual North Carolina Department of Labor State Fair Masonry Apprentice Skills Contest. Participating in the awards presentation were (from left) Salas, North Carolina Masonry Contractors...

CSI releases details concerning MasterFormat.(brickbats)(Construction Specifications Institute)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The Construction Specifications Institute has released the section numbers and titles for the 2004 edition of MasterFormat, which is the specifications writing standard for most nonresidential building design and construction projects in North...

PCA elects new chairman.(brickbats)(Portland Cement Association)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... The board of directors for the Portland Cement Association recently elected James A. Repman, president and CEO of California Portland Cement, as chairman of the organization. He will serve a two-year term, succeeding Dan Harrington of Lehigh...

Block on rock.(showcase)(to evoke a similar industrial aesthetic on new desert property)
February 1, 2005... Terraced into a steep slope in the foothills of Arizona's Tucson Mountains is a hard-edged residence that appears to grow out of the rocky hillside. Interior and exterior walls of the singlewythe custom home combine exposed, sandblasted...

Setting the standard: masonry instructor leads struggling vocational-technical program into top national ranks.(education)
February 1, 2005... The masonry program at H.H. Ellis Regional Vocational Technical School was foundering when Steve Daly accepted the position of department head and sole instructor at the Danielson, Conn., facility 17-years ago. Enrollment had dwindled to about...

Bracing interior partition walls.(details, details, details)(Masonry and Steel Detailing Handbook)(Book Review)
February 1, 2005... The current edition of ACI 530/ASCE 5/ASCE 402, Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures, allows interior non-bearing masonry partition walls to be constructed up to 36 times their nominal thicknesses. Walls constructed to this height...

Preventing thermal shorts.(troubleshooting)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Q When angles are suspended from the structure above with triangular brackets in brick veneer over steel stud backup walls, is there any efficient way to prevent the thermal short that typically occurs where the steel angle attaches to the...

Reasons for seals.(troubleshooting)
February 1, 2005... Q Some architects provide a membrane or seal to isolate the masonry cavity from the jambs of windows. What is the purpose of the seal? Is it required by codes? A This product is sometimes referred to as a "cavity seal." It is provided to...

Wildfires: masonry structures withstand Southern California: Portland cement stucco and masonry veneers meet tough code requirements.(fire)
February 1, 2005... I visited Southern California in 1993 to investigate the aftermath of the wildfires that occurred in October. Almost exactly ten years later to the day, wildland fires again swept across large swaths of Southern California from north of Los...

Mapping to success: a quick guide to ordering the proper mortar.(mortar)(ASTM)(Brief Article)
February 1, 2005... Mortar is supposed to be the binding element on a masonry project. But far too often, selecting the proper mortar is a problem between engineers, contractors, and in some cases, producers. The process can become more complicated when it comes...

Masonry Construction's "Project of the Year" contest.(project of the year)
February 1, 2005... Outstanding examples of masonry construction deserve to be honored and publicized. Performing this task recognizes top-quality design and craftsmanship and inspires excellence among others in the profession. MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine's 6th...

Masonry cements enhance structures' appearance.(new products)
February 1, 2005... A line of color masonry cements complements brick, block, and stone in new construction and existing structures. The cements help make installations look more coordinated and finished. They cost nominally more than ordinary gray masonry cement,...

Fork attachments change easily.(new products)
February 1, 2005... A heavy-duty pallet fork attachment for use on the company's skidsteers offers a load capacity of 6000 pounds. It comes in a rail style with 48-inch tines. This type of pallet fork is held in a rigid position for maximum durability. The...

Admixture seals and protects.(new products)
February 1, 2005... Hycrete is a moisture-blocking, anti-corrosion admixture that forms a waxy residue to prevent water penetration. The residue fills concrete pores by chemically attaching itself to polar particles, which seals the concrete. The product also...

Portable hoist lifts and places.(new products)
February 1, 2005... This portable hoist features an integrated variable frequency drive controller, which makes the product suitable for "lift and place" projects in which speed is required to lift or lower the load, but a more precise control is needed for...

Containers hold stone and aggregate.(new products)
February 1, 2005... Super Sack polypropylene containers have a four-panel construction suitable for holding and moving stone, aggregate, soil, minerals, and other materials. The containers feature strong, glued hems on all side seams, which eliminates loss of...

Traveling work platform offers jobsite flexibility.(new products)
February 1, 2005... The 14-foot M2 mast-climbing work platform is available with a double torsion-axle trailer. With the new trailer, the platform is easily hauled on the back of a truck for quick setup and relocation. Also, the trailer can stay attached to the...

Tool carrier operates in confined work areas.(new products)
February 1, 2005... The 520-40 Loadall compact telescopic tool carrier is 61-inches wide, 77-inches high, and weighs 9700 pounds, which allows operators to use the machine in confined areas. Its rated operating capacity is 4000 pounds at its full lift height of 13...

Hitches fit most work trucks.(new products)
February 1, 2005... These work-truck hitches are all-steel construction and finished with a polyester black paint powder coat for corrosion resistance. A variety of hitches are offered to fit a wide range of towing needs and capacity requirements. The products...

Two lamp series redesigned.(new products)
February 1, 2005... The redesigned 417 Series and 418 Series include 4-inch round stop/turn/tail LED lamps. The products include improvements that increase performance and protect against road and weather conditions. Hard-wired terminals eliminate the need for...

Flues constructed with two-liner process.(new products)
February 1, 2005... A line of products and services designed for pouring strong new flues inside existing chimneys is available. They offer a special two-liner process. The first liner strengthens the chimney via a special masonry mixture mechanically forced into...

Mortar hoe tackles tough slurries.(new products)
February 1, 2005... The Mortar Hoe is a sturdy, carbon-steel tool with a one-piece head that is powder-coated for added durability. The tool's heavy-duty 18-inch ash handle has a secure "D" grip, and a steel ferrule is riveted to the head. The product's design...

Stone serves residential and commercial jobs.(new products)
February 1, 2005... A line of natural stone designed for use in residential and commercial construction is available in a range of textures and colors. The stone delivers a high degree of durability while retaining its beauty regardless of extreme cold, high heat,...

Sealant services variety of applications.(new products)
February 1, 2005... Designed for new and existing construction, 756 SMS is a medium-modulus silicone sealant suitable for weatherproofing sensitive porous stone and metal-panel substrates. It creates a low-friction surface that reduces dirt pickup and fluid...

Mixers require little maintenance.(new products)
February 1, 2005... Hydra-Flow mortar/plaster mixers feature hydraulics that enable users to mix left or right, run full-strength in forward or reverse, on gas or electric power. Because the hydraulic system has excess no gear boxes, drive belts, or clutches, it...

Mortarboards reduce time and effort.(new products)
February 1, 2005... These products increase the board life of mortar while reducing the time and labor wasted on retempering. Unlike wood boards, which can suck mortar dry, or heavy steel boards that can become pitted and sharp over time, these mortarboards do not...

Products look like brick and stone.(new products)
February 1, 2005... A range of brick and stone look-alike products are crafted from lightweight fiber cement. Brick is available in standard red, brown, tan, and gray hues. In addition, colors can be formulated to match existing construction, or created in vivid...

Gel wipes out graffiti in one application.(Cleaning Tools)
February 1, 2005... Wipe Out porous surface graffiti remover penetrates to clean and lift embedded, old graffiti. A single application removes spray paint, marker, pen, ink, crayon, shoe polish, lipstick, and other marks from most porous surfaces. It even removes...

Pressure washer offers flexibility in cleaning masonry.(Cleaning Tools)
February 1, 2005... Designed specifically to clean brick and block, this pressure washer handles the chemicals, acids, and sealers used by masonry contractors and architectural concrete producers. Through a unique, patented application system, acid and acid-based...

Portable washer handles tough tasks.(Cleaning Tools)
February 1, 2005... With a cleaning power of 5.2-7.8 gpm and 3000-3200 psi, the SLT series of portable hot water pressure washers sustain operational water with optimal heat (200[degrees] F) to melt away grime. The washers also support two cleaning wands that...

Cleaner eliminates excess mortar.(Cleaning Tools)
February 1, 2005... Although post-construction clean down of colored architectural block buildings is just a fraction of the cost of putting them up, doing the job right is crucial for proper appearance. Sure Klean custom masonry cleaner gets rid of excess mortar...

Masonry stain remover offers easy cleaning.(Cleaning Tools)
February 1, 2005... Pour-N-Restore concrete and masonry stain remover erases problems caused by motor oil, grease, hydraulic/transmission fluid, antifreeze, tar, wax, vegetable oil, and other substances. The product penetrates deep into concrete and masonry and...

Environmentally friendly cleaner removes tough stains.(Cleaning Tools)
February 1, 2005... Concrete & Masonry Cleaner is an environmentally safe, fluid-applied product that removes efflorescence, oil, grease, dirt, and other stains. It is for general cleaning and surface restoration on a range of materials, including brick, block,...

Pressure washer produces 5 gpm of water at 3000 psi.(Cleaning Tools)
February 1, 2005... The GH5D3000 pressure washer is a gas-driven unit that produces 5 gpm of 200[degrees] F water at 3000 psi. It removes dirt, mud, grease, and other materials from trucks, trailers, equipment, buildings, tools, and floors. The washer has an 18-hp...

Magnet picks up metal debris.(Cleaning Tools)
February 1, 2005... The M16 auto-release magnetic sweeper is a convenient, affordable way to collect ferrous metal debris from a jobsite. The powerful magnet attracts and holds the material, which then can be quickly released with a simple twist and pull of the...

A winning team.(Contractor Tip)(Football games in the National Football League)(Column)
February 1, 2005... To win football games in the NFL, a team must field the best players. The best football coaches do this by eliminating the weakest players and then trading or using the draft to field a winning team. As some of you may know, I have always...

Masonry saws and blades.(ultimate work zone)(Piazza Masonry, Inc)
February 1, 2005... Hand-held tools evoke many very different thoughts depending on th e type of business a person comes from or on what he is used to. The term "hand-held tool" traditionally referred to an air tool, gas-powered tool, or screwdriver. Now,...

Hilti Inc.(ultimate work zone)
February 1, 2005... The DS-KC handheld gas saw for cutting brick, block, concrete, and other materials offers exceptional performance, speed, reliability, durability, comfort, and safety. The long-stroke motor provides a flat torque power curve, which gives the...

Diamond Products.(ultimate work zone)
February 1, 2005... The CC500M masonry saw has a stay-level blade guard that offers safety and convenience during use. A pivot mechanism resists slurry buildup, which could affect performance. Other features include a removable head, open-throat cutting, and side...

MK Diamond Inc.(ultimate work zone)
February 1, 2005... The MK-PX-3 dry-cutting portable masonry saw features an easy-to-replace dust filter, a dust collector nozzle for connecting to vacuum systems, and a locking trigger switch. The pivoting backstop cuts material at any angle, and the motor offers...

ICS Blount Inc.(ultimate work zone)
February 1, 2005... The 613GS cut-off saw handles masonry and concrete, and is capable of cutting depths up to 12 inches. The tool weighs 21 pounds and can cut a square opening with no overcuts in material as thick as 10 inches. It is powered by a 5.7-hp,...

Multiquip Inc.(ultimate work zone)
February 1, 2005... The MP3 masonry saw cuts brick, block, pavers, stone, terra cotta, and more. The saw has a 14-inch blade capacity and is powered by a 2.5-hp single-phase motor. The motor operates at 3600 rpm and features a removable, washable foam air filter....

Bosch Power Tools & Accessories.(ultimate work zone)
February 1, 2005... The Laser Fusion line of diamond blades includes 37 segmented, 11 turbo, and 14 continuous rim designs that cut up to 30% faster. The segmented and turbo blades are available in a variety of sizes between 4 and 14 inches for use in small and...

Danish Tool Shop.(ultimate work zone)
February 1, 2005... A line of reciprocating saw blades cut a variety of masonry materials, including stone, brick, and AAC. The special carbide teeth are strong and self-sharpening. The black label saw offers rough, fast cuts in softer materials (brick and ACC)....

The masonry trade is like no other.(estimating)
February 1, 2005... It seems that "masonry bond" and "masonry dimensions" are two of the hardest terms for people in the design stage of our business to understand. Modular masonry is designed to work in 8-inch increments with a joint, which is why a typical block...