Masonry Construction articles from October 2004

Masonry Construction archives from October 2004

Mobilizing profit.(editor's note)
October 1, 2004... A few weeks ago, Joni, our mail-room coordinator here in Adison, Ill., asked me if knew a mason contractor who would be interested in installing some glass panels in her home. She had phoned several contractors who either did not call her back...

BIA elects new officers.(brickbats)(Brick Industry Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The Brick Industry Association's new slate of officers is headed by Chairman Steve Matsick (below), Glen-Gery, Wyomissing, Pa. Joining him on the newly elected leadership team are Vice Chairman Dick Green, General Shale, Johnson City, Tenn.;...

What is LEED and Masonry's role in it?(brickbats)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... A recent edition of TMS Responds, a publication of The Masonry Society, provided a series of questions and answers about Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design and how masonry contributes to LEED certification. Christine Subasic, P.E.,...

W.R. Grace celebrates 150th anniversary.(brickbats)
October 1, 2004... W.R. Grace & Co., one of the world's leading suppliers of catalysts and silica products, specialty construction chemicals, buildings materials, and sealants and coatings, recently held a worldwide celebration of its 150th anniversary. Events...

Trailer hauls work platform around jobsite.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... Hydro-Mobile has announced the availability of a new double torsion axle trailer for hauling its 14-foot M2 mast climbing work platform quickly, easily, and economically around a jobsite. The platform can also remain attached to the trailer...

Salas wins NCMCA apprentice skills contest.(brickbats)(Jaime Salas, North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2004... The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association annual apprentice skills contest featured 31 entrants from 10 member firms. Jaime Salas, Brodie Contractors, Raleigh, was a narrow winner over Grant Hartsell, McGee Brothers, Monroe. The two...

Building a religious experience.(showcase)
October 1, 2004... A contemporary elegance graces the Spanish Renaissance design of St. Elizabeth's University Parish, Lubbock, Texas. Set among the historic campus buildings of Texas Tech University and neighboring Spanish Renaissance architecture, the new...

Base of wall at corner.(details, details, details)(Book Review)
October 1, 2004... Wind-driven rain inevitably penetrates the exterior wythe of masonry through minute hairline cracks that develop between the mortar and masonry unit bond. A weakened bond permits additional water to penetrate the masonry wythe. The corners of...

Repoint or rebuild?(troubleshooting)
October 1, 2004... Q Many architect's tuckpointing specifications state that the mortar is to be removed to a depth of 3/4 inch or until sound mortar is reached. The mortar is badly deteriorated in an older elementary school building that we are working on. After...

Drips not needed.(troubleshooting)
October 1, 2004... Q Our firm used ties with cavity drips to prevent water from migrating across the wire and reaching the backup wythe. In the 2002 version of ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS402, the end of paragraph 2.1.5.3.2 states "wall ties shall be without cavity drips."...

Foam or solid joint fillers?(troubleshooting)
October 1, 2004... Q On a recent project, I specified the use of Neoprene foam fillers for expansion joints in the clay masonry walls. The contractor, however, installed solid Neoprene control joint fillers like those typically used in concrete masonry walls. ...

Skills USA: a huge success: our industry's national vocational competition just turned 40, and is still going strong.(training)
October 1, 2004... Victor Santillan knew the routine. He quietly stood outside the circle of students listening to Bryon Light, chairman on the Skills USA Masonry Technical Committee, describe details of the 2004 final project. Santillan casually glanced at his...

Mortar testing for quality assurance: a simple 7-step process provides the necessary information.(mortar)
October 1, 2004... Masonry walls are designed and built everyday. Though masonry is a proven construction method, and one of the oldest, specifiers are still faced with the same challenge: How to call out a mortar and then verify that you are getting what is...

Telehandlers improve jobsites efficiency; rear pivot steering allows use in confined areas.(telehandlers)
October 1, 2004... Hansen Construction, Inc., located in suburban Omaha, Neb., is one of the largest masonry contractors in the area. The company builds everything from office and commercial buildings to schools. Hansen was founded in 1981 and employs 30...

Who is the nation's best bricklayer? The SPEC MIX Bricklayer 500 competition at the 2005 World of Masonry in Las Vegas will answer the question.(bricklayer 500)
October 1, 2004... Masons looking for a real challenge while attending the 2005 World of Masonry/ World of Concrete in January should enlist their best tender, pack the work gear, and match their skills against the best the industry has to offer at the 3rd annual...

Trowels feature blue spring steel blade.(new products)
October 1, 2004... A line of QLT finishing trowels features a blade made from high-grade blue spring steel that is properly shaped and tempered. The blades are securely attached to a cast-aluminum mounting, which has a square shank to prevent the handle from...

Generators run quiet, run efficiently.(new products)
October 1, 2004... The Silent series of inverter generators includes the R1700i (1650 W), RG3200iS (3200 W), and RG4300iS (4300 W). Advanced inverter technology significantly reduces the operating sound and runs the engine at a slower speed for low power use, and...

Mini loader handles numerous jobs.(new products)
October 1, 2004... "The MT52 mini track loader has a ride-on platform that can easily be removed. The machine has a rated operating capacity of 520 pounds and measures 6-feet long and 3-feet wide, making it suitable for use in extremely tight areas. More than 18...

Solenoid performs forward and reverse motions.(new products)
October 1, 2004... The 24550 motor-reversing solenoid is ideal for construction equipment with forward and reverse (up or down) motors, including mixers, cranes, and winches. Because it can handle both forward and reverse motions, there is no need for two...

Handle cover reduces fatigue and injuries.(new products)
October 1, 2004... The SorboGrip handle cover reduces operator fatigue and the potential harmful effects from impact and vibration associated with tools and power devices. The product absorbs impact and vibration before they reach the operator's hand. It is made...

Telehandler incorporates new cab design.(new products)
October 1, 2004... The TX5519 telehandler incorporates an innovative cab design with a rounded profile, ergonomic interior, and easy-to-use joystick controls. The machine has a 5500-pound maximum lift capacity, maximum lift height of 18 5/6 feet, and a maximum...

Tool lifts, removes, and positions slabs.(new products)
October 1, 2004... Avoid digging, back or hand injuries, and poorly installed block with a specially-designed tool that is used to lift, remove, or position precast concrete slabs. The tool, which usually comes in a set of 4, is a steel bar with a 90-degree bend...

Cements bonds to many surfaces.(new products)
October 1, 2004... Fossilcrete vertical wall mix is a lightweight, polymer-modified cement applied as thick as 3 inches to vertical surfaces, and stamped within minutes of application. The product bonds to existing concrete, wallboard, plaster, drywall, paneling,...

System provides straight vertical control joints.(new products)
October 1, 2004... The EZ rod control joint system provides a guide so masons can consistently lay straight 3/8-inch vertical control joints, giving workmen of all skill levels a method for performing quality work in a more efficient manner. The bottom of the rod...

Product protects foundation walls.(new products)
October 1, 2004... Delta-Drain is a waterproofing and drainage product for commercial and residential foundation walls. Measuring 6- or 8- feet wide, and 50- or 65.6-feet long, the product is faster to install and requires less joint detailing than similar...

Veneer available in five colors.(new products)
October 1, 2004... Another texture has been added to the company's Cultured Stone veneer line. When installed with complementary mortar, Rockface's rectilinear shapes deliver a clean, modern look. When used with contrasting mortar, it creates a rugged,...

RFI Construction Products.(Mortar Mixers)
October 1, 2004... The CM-1500 continuous mixer and predampener handles dry, pre-blended materials such as concrete, mortar, grout, fireproofing, and restoration mixes. It accommodates aggregates up to 1/2 inch and fibers up to 1-inch long. Water is injected at...

Masonry news contractor tip.(onsite)
October 1, 2004... Are you having trouble getting people to work for you? Many contractors complain they can't get good help to work for them these days. Maybe it's because in reality people don't work for you or me. People work for themselves. Think about when...

Macalite Equipment Inc.(Mortar Mixers)
October 1, 2004... 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 is simple with no gear boxes, drive belts, or clutches,...

Stow Construction Equipment, a div. of Multiquip Inc.(Mortar Mixers)
October 1, 2004... Eight new models have been added to a line of concrete and mortar/plaster mixers. All 8 feature a tubular steel frame that delivers improved wheelbarrow clearance on the job, and have forklift pockets that improve stability. The concrete mixers...

Kenrich Products Inc.(Mortar Mixers)
October 1, 2004... The EAM4-60T10 heavy-duty electric mixer features a rotating bucket with a stationary mixing blade. The 1/2-hp motor is directly coupled to a completely enclosed gearbox, which uses all-ball bearing construction for long life. An automatic,...

Terex Light Construction.(Mortar Mixers)
October 1, 2004... The TM line of mortar mixers provides case of operation and high productivity. Two models are available: a 7-cubic foot version powered by an 8-hp engine, and a 9-cubic loot model running on an 11-hp engine. The engine and V-belt drive gear...

Work less and do more.(lookout)
October 1, 2004... Many construction owners and managers complain about working too many hour. While speaking at two concrete and construction industry conventions, I surveyed the attendees about their work habits. In those groups, 15% worked 40 hours or less per...