Masonry Construction articles from July 2005

Masonry Construction archives from July 2005

Quality despite the odds.(Masonry Construction)(Editorial)
July 1, 2005... I have been reading a great book this summer about the famous football coach Vince Lombardi. When Pride Still Mattered provides some interesting insights on the man who has become an icon of sports fans. I am too young to remember how Lombardi...

Name a tune, win a tool.(masonry project)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Walk on any masonry project and you'll find that most crews have developed their own sort of rhythm to the work. Sometimes the pattern comes from the urgings of the lead man, but more commonly the spirit of the work is set by the crew's choice...

BAC merges with SBI.(Brick Industry of the Carolinas Merges with Southern Brick Institute )(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Brick Industry of the Carolinas (BAC) has joined forces with the Southern Brick Institute (SBI) to create Brick SouthEast, an industry trade association dedicated to the advancement of brick products in Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky,...

NSSGA honors Luck Stone Corp.(brickbats)
July 1, 2005... Luck Stone Corp. recently received three major awards from The National Stone, Sand, and Gravel Association (NSSGA) for its significant achievements in 2004. Luck Stone received the Excellence in Community Relations Award, the Gold Capstone...

Expediting the rental process.(RSC Equipment Rental)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... An enhanced Web site service has been developed to expedite the rental process and provide time-saving efficiency and convenience for its users. RSC Online, developed by RSC Equipment Rental, Scottsdale, Ariz., is a major step forward in...

Bosch Power Tools names new president.(brickbats)
July 1, 2005... Seventeen-year company veteran Frank Carroll has been appointed president of Bosch Power Tools North America, a division of the Robert Bosch Tool Corp. He previously served as the president and general manager of the company's rotary tool...

London hosting International AAC Conference.(Autoclaved Aerated Concrete)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Kingston University in London will serve as the site for the 4th International Conference on Autoclaved Aerated Concrete--Innovation and Development. The event is scheduled for September 8-9. There have been a number of recent innovative...

BIA honors three brick companies.(Brick Industry Association)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Brick Industry Association recently honored three companies for their innovative employee health and safety programs. The winners were Acme Brick, Fort Worth; Boral Brick, Atlanta; and Hanson Brick, Charlotte. Acme Brick was recognized...

APA reveals 2005 design winners.(Architectural Precast Association)(Esocoff and Associates)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Architectural Precast Association has announced the winners in its annual "Design and Manufacturing Excellence" competition. Four projects shared top honors, which are awarded based on outstanding design and production work utilizing...

Gallery of curves.(Cover Story)
July 1, 2005... A view of the National Museum of the American Indian along the Smithsonian Mall transports passersby from the bustle of the nation's Capitol to the undulating rock formations of the desert Southwest. Layered and curved in earthy tones, the...

Moisture considerations.
July 1, 2005... Q If a masonry wall is well constructed with proper workmanship, how necessary is the cavity behind the outer wythe? Will the wall leak if the joints are tightly constructed? A Even with the best workmanship, some water penetration should...

Corrosion problems.(troubleshooting)
July 1, 2005... Q In examining masonry lintels on the top floor of a building, I noticed that instead of the brick being supported directly on the angle, there was a gap of almost 1/2-inch between the bottom of the brick and lintel in many locations. In fact,...

Sanctuary Golf Course: Sedalia, Colo.(Zmistowski Design Group LLC)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The massive lobby fireplace at the Sanctuary Golf Course is designed for gas log sets and constructed as a wood-burning firebox. A Class A mechanical vent is encased in a CMU chase. Because the owner did not want glass doors on the see-through...

400 Massachusetts Ave., N.W: Washington, D.C.(Esocoff and Associates Architects)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... This 13-story, 256-unit residential condominium is sited on one of the city's unique triangular blocks and wraps around a historic firehouse. Careful sculpting of the exterior provides enhanced views of the city from all dwelling units, with...

Caldwell Hall: Muskingum College: New Concord, Ohio.(Bialosky Partners LLC)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... This project required the mixing of various masonry materials to match the historic decor of a nearly 170-year-old campus. The job used 55,000 block, 135,000 modular brick, 8100 burnished block, 231,000 pounds of cast stone, and 4300 pieces of...

Training & Administration Building: Santiago Canyon College: Orange, Calif.(LPA Architecture)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Most of the CMU walls were 16-inches thick, using a slate color with a burnish finish. The CMUs were scored once vertically and once horizontally to give the appearance of smaller units. All joints were then raked to produce a square finish...

College Corner Building: Williamsburg, Va.(Erith & Terry Architects)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The Architectural Historian of Colonial Williamsburg wanted a showpiece for the center of the district and set out to recreate a building with original features found in the Colonial days. Although the building looks like four structures,...

Gaylord Texan Resort: Grapevine, Texas.(Hnedak Bobo Group Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Lueders limestone with contrasting dimensioned stone elements is used for the interior lobby and assembly areas. Numerous arched stone passages escort guests through shopping venues, while large columns with canted dimension stone bases...

Silver Cloud: Monterey, Calif.(Cornerstone Masonry)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Masonry contractor Baldo Vultaggio designed an abstract application using various leftover stone pieces from previous jobs to create a one-of-a-kind building. The design combines manufactured and natural stone. Waves and circles, images...

Staying at the top in a masonry business.(Contractor Tip)
July 1, 2005... Some mason contractors make it to the top. Very few ever stay there! In fact, it's much easier to get to the top than it is to stay on top. It's like trying to sit on top of a beach ball in a swimming pool. You ever tried it? If you have, you...

Perry residence: Uwharrie Point, N.C.(Griffin Masonry Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Chimneys are a very important element in the Perry residence. The owners wanted to maximize their view of Baden Lake so the masonry contractor designed three chimneys (two interior and one exterior) with numerous recessed panels and intricate...

Lori residence: Caldwell, Ohio.(Crock Construction)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Attention to detail was the watchword phrase for all aspects of the masonry construction in this residence. Retaining walls, driveway markers, and the mailbox base were constructed from brick matching the home's exterior. Inset and outset...

Sniff Hall: Tri-State University: Angola, Ind.(Ziolkowski Construction Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... This college structure had withstood the elements and two fires during its 117-year history. Time eventually caught up with the facility and it was in dire need of significant work (below). The restoration project included chemical...

Rhode Island State House: Providence, R.I.(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Restoration of the elevated marble terraces, steps, and the North Plaza at the State House was precipitated by the fact that some of the balustrades surrounding the terraces were significantly out of plumb and the resultant cracks and open...

U.S. Post Office: Livingston, Mont.(Hessler Architects)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... This project required the removal of the top 4-feet of masonry and replacing the sandstone and old brick. A one-story addition, with heat pumps located on the roof, made the work most challenging. Hydraulic scaffolding with a 72-foot bridge...

Masonic Village: Sewickley, Pa.(M.I. Friday Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... This project includes 228 independent living apartments, 35 independent living villas, 60 assisted living beds, and 128 nursing beds. The site's design evokes the character of an "English village," while the exterior and interior architecture...

West Side Transit Facility: Albuquerque, N.M.(Beaty Construction)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... This project consists of 5 buildings on 20 acres that provide customer services, operations functions, fueling, cleaning, and maintenance for 161 busses and vans. Concrete masonry was selected because of its durability. The buildings'...

Pikes Peak Regional Development Center: Colorado Springs, Colo.(LKA Partners Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... This environmentally-sensitive building with views to Pikes Peak and the Rampart Range of the Rocky Mountains was conceived to be an exemplary model of sustainable materials and construction methods. The masonry design reflects the...

Blair Caldwell African American Research Library: Denver, Colo.(H.P. Construction)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The largest branch within the Denver Public Library System is located in downtown Denver's historic Five Points area, and was designed to fit into the existing architectural character of the neighborhood. The front facade of the...

Emerson Grand Basin: St. Louis, Mo.(Leonard Masonry Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Emerson Grand Basic located in Forest Park consisted of crumbling walls and stagnant water just a few years ago. A $2.3 million masonry installation replaced the limestone in the basin with cast stone and added a number of other features,...

Morgan Jewelers' Love Seat: Sandy, Utah.(Paul A. Snyder Masonry Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... A swing supported by masonry provides a comfortable spot to contemplate the purchase of fine jewelry. The masonry contractor designed and built a metal supporting frame and brick arch with reinforcing steel and grout in the shop. Four...

Riverbend High School: Fredericksburg, Va.(Phoenix Masonry Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... Schools must be built within budget and without compromising function, quality, or appearance. The masonry contractor at this Virginia school used several innovative approaches to meet these goals. Utility-size, red wire-cut brick were...

Tome School: North East, Md.(John F. Laffey Inc)(Brief Article)
July 1, 2005... The challenge of the team constructing the addition was to produce a finished exterior that appears to fit into a period of history nearly 300-years ago, with an inside that matched the needs of the 21st century. Brick shapes such as cove...

Planks available in two versions.(Scaffolding)
July 1, 2005... This line of scaffold plank includes Dense Industrial 65 rough sawn and smooth surface varieties. Planks have a stress rating of 2200[degrees] F and are offered in 8-inch through 12-inch widths and 1 1/2-inch through 2-inch thicknesses....

Modular system assembles easily.(Scaffolding)
July 1, 2005... The Rosett modular scaffold system features rigid and high load-bearing nodes, as well as easy and safe assembly. The shape of the ledger end and rosette node allows the wedge to drop into the rosette hole and immediately lock into position by...

Laminated lumber manufactured to specifications.(Scaffolding)
July 1, 2005... Microllam laminated veneer lumber scaffold planks are manufactured for minimal twist and bow and maximum safety. The planks are made from many layers of thin veneer so there are no cross-grains or concentrated areas of knots. The product isn't...

Planks use profiled surfaces.(Scaffolding)
July 1, 2005... GripStrip solid sawn Southern Yellow Pine scaffold planks have a profiled top and bottom to provide a traction-surface work area. A sealer is applied to protect against water and UV damage. The planks meet or exceed all specifications at the...

Mesh netting protects jobsites.(Scaffolding)
July 1, 2005... Vertical mesh netting provides safety and protection to scaffolding and workers, as well as surrounding pedestrians. The product is constructed from a UV-treated, high-density polyethylene knit. Reinforced buttonholes along its hem provide...

Work platforms easily added to frames.(Scaffolding)
July 1, 2005... Each Mason Walkthru scaffold frame contains five sets of brace connector pins so contractors can move outside pieces while maintaining stability. The frames also include two extra side bracket posts so users can add work platforms with ease....

Product engineered for plank applications.(Scaffolding)
July 1, 2005... Master Plank laminated veneer lumber is an engineered wood product manufactured from Spruce to disperse the normal defects found in solid-sawn lumber. The product features high strength and light weight, and conforms with applicable plank...

Fiberglass scaffolding suitable in any climate.(Scaffolding)
July 1, 2005... This fiberglass scaffold is lightweight, highly resistant to corrosive materials, non-conductive to hot and cold temperatures, and prevents electrocution. It is tested and approved to AS/NZ 1576.3:1995, and is suitable for use at building...

Hydraulic model features high dump system.(Mortar Mixers)
July 1, 2005... The HM 1290 hydraulic mixer's high dump system allows a full discharge into wheelbarrows and buggies, while providing a low charge height. The high-torque-rated drive system ensures smooth paddle action and better handling of stiff mixes. A...

Plaster/mortar versions available in several capacities.(Mortar Mixers)
July 1, 2005... Five new plaster/mortar mixers are available in capacities from 4.5 to 12 cubic feet, with electric and gas engine options. The mixers feature heavy-duty, bolt-on bearing housings with a specially designed step hole to protect bearings and...

Batching system rides to job.(Mortar Mixers)
July 1, 2005... The BatchMaster 804 is a complete mobile batching solution with a hopper, mixer, and built-in material pump that features the PumpMaster slabjacking and grouting unit. Other features include a full flow, ball-check manifold system, coordinated...

Mixing station handles numerous materials.(Mortar Mixers)
July 1, 2005... The MH10 hydraulic mixing station handles mortar, grout, and concrete, as well as stucco, small precast, and colored batches of materials. A scaled down version of the larger MH20, the mixer contains hydraulic drive and dump, and accessible...

Design uses vertical mixing blades.(Mortar Mixers)
July 1, 2005... This U-blend mixer's design is based on the age-old horizontal plaster/ mortar mixer, but it is built with a vertical mixing blade arrangement. This configuration allows easier charging of dry and wet materials because it doesn't "dump" the...

Spiral mixer adapts to various applications.(Mortar Mixers)
July 1, 2005... The simple structure of the Series l O0 spiral mixer makes it easily adaptable to various industrial mixing applications. In addition to simple mixing of two fluids, the product can be used in heat exchangers, tubular reactors, and extrusion...

Diamond blades.(Products for the Pros showcase)
July 1, 2005... The FUTURE is now! Why pay more money for a blade to just get a free saw. Ebladedirect.net, the #1 online supplier for your diamond blade needs. Rock bottom prices from the get go. No "spring special" or "inventory blowout". Discount pricing...

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...

Moisture content requirements in CMUs.(estimating)(concrete masonry units)
July 1, 2005... Engineers and inspectors sometimes get real picky about the moisture content requirements in concrete masonry units on a project. Here is the best way to deal with the moisture issue. The first step is to look at ASTM C90, page 74, Fig...