Masonry Construction articles from October 2005

Masonry Construction archives from October 2005

Tooling our response.(editor's note)
October 1, 2005... I had never been personally touched by a natural catastrophe prior to Katrina. Fortunately, my son was able to safely find haven in Chicago while the storm ravaged Kenner, a suburb of New Orleans. He and his fiancee packed her small car with a...

Why the vents?(question of the month)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... A company in the South was working on a project that involved transforming two large concrete structures that once housed a department store into condominiums. During the structural examination of the brick walls located on the warehouse...

Name that tune winners.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The July/August issue question of the month asked: "What is your favorite jobsite song?" The four winners of the Bosch tools and their tunes are: Lance Whipple, Whipple Masonry, Lancaster, N.H., "Bring It Home" by Swollen Members; Willie...

National building museum celebrating 25 years.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... The National Building Museum in Washington, D.C., is marking its silver anniversary with a film series, an anniversary bash, and an exhibition showcasing its collection. The anniversary activities begin with a free seven-week film series...

Trenwyth doubles block capacity.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Trenwyth Industries, a manufacturer of high-end architectural concrete masonry units, has begun operation at its new state-of-the-art block production and finishing facility in Morris, Ill. The expansion will double the company's Midwest...

ASTM bestows two awards.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... ASTM International recently presented Awards of Merit to Ian R. Chin, vice president and principal at Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Chicago; and Brian E. Trimble, RE., director of engineering services and architectural outreach for the...

Masonry Institute of St. Louis selects new executive director.(appointment of Darrell W. McMillian)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Darrell W. McMillian, P.E., has been named executive director of the Masonry Institute of St. Louis. He replaced Edgar F. Glock, Jr., AIA, CSI, who held the position since January 1993. McMillian, who previously served as director of...

Arizona Masonry Guild contest winners announced.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Winners in the 4th annual Arizona Masonry Guild design build competition, "Masonry: It Makes a Village," have been announced. The timed event pitted teams of architects and mason contractors against each other to produce the most creative and...

Symphony in stone.(Gallegos)
October 1, 2005... Tucked into the mountains surrounding Vail, Colo., is a private residence crafted of stone in the way a musical masterpiece is shaped by tone, harmony, and counterpoint. The multidimensional composition integrates dozens of varieties of stone...

Masonry motivator: flexible program exposes high school students to the trade's many opportunities.(education)
October 1, 2005... As instructor of the masonry program at A.B. Miller High School, Fontana, Calif., Bob Freeman teaches about 140 students in five classes a day. When he took the position nine years ago, Freeman saw it as an opportunity to get young people...

Prefabricated: brick soffits.(details, details, details)
October 1, 2005... Brickwork performs superbly when stressed in compression. It can easily resist axial loads in excess of 2500 psi. If brickwork is placed in tension, as is the case with hung brick soffits, the successful performance of the soffits depends...

Comparing mortar test methods.(troubleshooting)
October 1, 2005... Q As an architect, I specify the mortar aggregate ratio method from ASTM C780 Annex A4 as a quality assurance test during construction, instead of using mortar cubes. This test approach provides much faster results. A question came up...

Flashing factors.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Q Should flashing be used beneath rowlock brick window sills? If through-wall flashing is installed beneath these rowlocks, how are the sills anchored? If the anchors penetrate the flashing, does this lead to deterioration of the masonry below...

Facade relocation: brick and limestone were removed from the Platt Luggage Building, numbered, stored, and then sent to the new location for reassembly.(facade)
October 1, 2005... Howard Van Doren Shaw (1869-1926) was one of America s most inexhaustible architects, designing well over 200 buildings and projects during his 32-year career. His work represents an aspect of the Chicago School seldom explored--how European...

Reassembling terra cotta arches.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... Spicer Hall, an 80-year old building on the campus of Akron University, was torn down several years ago. The facility had old terra cotta arches that the university did not want to throw away. Instead, the arches were cut out and saved in a...

Determining the nation's best bricklayer: the SPEC MIX bricklayer 500 to be held during the 2006 World of Masonry will crown the new champion.(bricklayer 500)
October 1, 2005... The 2006 World of Masonry/World of Concrete in Las Vegas, January 16-20, offers unlimited opportunities to expand attendees' business expertise and knowledge through a wide-ranging seminar program, and see the latest product offerings from...

Restoring a historic landmark: extensive concrete repairs return Reagan National Airport to its original 1941 appearance.(restoration)
October 1, 2005... Reagan National Airport (originally National Airport) in Washington, D.C., was completed in 1941 with an art deco design and architecture. Cracks began to appear in the terminal walls with the passage of time and it became necessary to fix the...

Telehandler skills challenge: new contest will debut during the World of Masonry in Las Vegas.(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... JLG Industries Inc. has announced preliminary plans for a special "Telehandler Skills Challenge" to be held during the 2006 World of Masonry/World of Concrete in Las Vegas. The event will be open to all certified telehandler operators in...

StoneExpo 2005: attendees at the Las Vegas show will have the opportunity to visit more than 250 exhibitors and choose from 34 educational sessions.
October 1, 2005... Thousands of fabricators, installers, quarriers, contractors, architects, interior designers, builders, distributors, kitchen and bath specialists, and retailers will be heading to Las Vegas October 19-22 for StonExpo 2005. Those making the...

Lasers mark and etch.(Product Sampler)
October 1, 2005... A line of laser systems mark and etch into materials such as stone, granite, marble, wood, glass, and solid surface materials. The equipment allows contractors to take advantage of home deecor trends, including decorative inlays and...

Ashlar serves several purposes.(Product Sampler)
October 1, 2005... Ashlar material has a rock face and back, about 4-inch bed thickness, and is available in various course heights. It is used in both external and internal applications for wall facings, water features, and patios with the rock side up. A "thin"...

Association introduces new safety information.(Product Sampler)
October 1, 2005... A variety of safety-related informational products will be unveiled during StonExpo. The new material includes programs about complying with OSHA regulations and issues revolving around slab handling, and a training video covering installation...

Veneer showcases color variations of stone.(Product Sampler)
October 1, 2005... The split face of Berkshire limestone veneer showcases the soft texture and subtle color variations of natural stone. The random length of the veneer offers a variation of height that creates a pleasing pattern and provides a classic look in...

Stone comes in various colors and textures.(Product Sampler)
October 1, 2005... The permanent beauty of authentic stone is available at a fraction of the cost of a traditional stone installation. Calyxo is just 1-inch thick and can be installed without expensive foundations. It is available in a variety of nature's colors,...

Splitter cuts stone and brick.(Product Sampler)
October 1, 2005... The Stone Mason M-50 is equipped with a fully hydraulic cutting system and power unit to supply up to 50 tons of force. The single-axle design makes towing and positioning simple and allows the operator easy access to the product and controls....

Diamond blades made in several sizes.(Product Sampler)
October 1, 2005... A line of diamond blades from 10 inch to 10 foot service a variety of cutting needs. Cutting depths of 10, 15, and 20 mm are available. A recently introduced type of diamond (titanium) coats the particles in the segments and provides higher...

Saw creates curves in stone.(Product Sampler)
October 1, 2005... The Revolution tile saw cuts multiple radius curves and accurate straight lines in tile, stone, granite, marble, glass, and porcelain. A slower blade speed and high torque motor (115 or 220 V) make cutting all materials and thicknesses easy....

Abrasive waterjets precisely deliver desired pattern.(onsite)
October 1, 2005... The Model 55100 large-footprint abrasive jet machine handles sheets of material up to 5 foot x 10 foot. Almost any material--including marble, granite, soapstone, ceramic, aluminum, brass, porcelain, and glass--can be cut with precision...

Sealant protects various materials.(onsite)
October 1, 2005... The Stone Sealant Impregnator provides a natural look for all types of free stone, including marble, tile, and masonry. It is a breathable oil and water repellent that offers stain and mildew resistance without using harsh solvents. There are...

Laser engraving systems create works of art.(onsite)
October 1, 2005... Combining technology with art, laser engraving systems can create designs in materials such as stone, tile, marble, concrete, veneer and glass. Learning to use the computerized router is easy. If you can see the image on the computer after...

Imported products offered in range of colors.(onsite)
October 1, 2005... Products imported from quarries in Turkey and Bulgaria will be on display. The product line includes all types of marble and tile, medallion, mosaic, liners, and sandstone in a range of finishes and colors. * Del Mar Marble & Tile,...

Quarry forks easily replaced.(onsite)
October 1, 2005... A line of quarry forks are available in quick-disconnect or direct-pin configurations for most makes and models of wheel loaders. The forks are produced from alloy steels and offer excellent visibility. The shaft-mounted blades are easily...

Membrane reduces sound transmission.(onsite)
October 1, 2005... WhisperMat-CS is a peel & stick sheet membrane that reduces impact and airborne sound transmissions, and isolates ceramic and natural stone tile flooring from subfloor cracks. It has the flexibility and strength to withstand structural movement...

Cold weather equipment: neither snow, sleet, nor winter worries keep masons from their jobs.(ultimate work zone)
October 1, 2005... While many of us are still enjoying the great fall weather, every contractor knows that brutal winter weather could be just a few weeks away. Planning for that scenario, the GCs request to keep the project moving forward can be the difference...

Tarps and enclosures create safe working conditions.(ultimate work zone)
October 1, 2005... Winter protection tarps and enclosures help companies manage heating costs while protecting employees and service equipment from harsh winds and precipitation. The heavy-duty woven poly tarps provide safer working conditions by blocking rain,...

Ground heater keeps crews warm and working.(ultimate work zone)
October 1, 2005... The E2200 ground heater has a 252,000 btu/hour hydronic heater that allows equipment and crews to keep working all-year long, and allows contractors to pour concrete in the coldest of conditions. The machine thaws up to 3300 square feet of...

Bidding cold weather jobs.(ultimate work zone)(Brief Article)
October 1, 2005... It may be warm outside today, but many plans that contractors are prepring to bid are for projects that will go into the winter season. Here are five tips to remember when preparing costs for jobs at this time of the year. 1) Look closely...

Gloves resist cold and wet weather.(ultimate work zone)
October 1, 2005... From construction to demolition, in both cold and wet weather, Icon gloves stand up to the toughest jobs. They feature Duraclad II high-abrasion reinforcements, ergonomic palm designs, and rugged materials. They are form fitting, completely...

Clothing protects construction workers.(ultimate work zone)
October 1, 2005... A product catalog describes and illustrates head-to-toe clothing, accessories, and equipment that protect workers in all temperatures. Among the new additions is the ComfortGuard line of work wear for construction workers, heavy equipment...

Contractor tip.(contractors manage systems)
October 1, 2005... The best contractors manage systems, not people There is an old adage that goes; give a man a fish and you feed him for a day, teach him to fish and you feed him for a lifetime. We can either show people how to do what we want each time...

TMS prints 2005 MSJC code and specification.(The Masonry Society )(Masonry Standards Joint Committee )
October 1, 2005... After three years of extensive work and revisions, the 2005 Masonry Standards Joint Committee (MSJC) Building Code Requirements for Masonry Structures (ACI 530/ASCE 5/TMS 402 and ACI 530.1/ ASCE 6/TMS 602), and Specification for Masonry...

Diamond tuckpointing router.(Product for the Pros: showcase)
October 1, 2005... This new diamond tuckpointing router, for small 4 1/2" and 5" angle grinders, makes it easier to work in hard joints or when repairing cracks in walls. The special diamond grit structure works easy, without vibrations and makes it wear...

Closed-cell foam expansion joint filler.(Product for the Pros: showcase)
October 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...

Grout pumps.(Product for the Pros: showcase)
October 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...

Using checklists to improve performance.(estimating)
October 1, 2005... Airline pilots have long used checklists to make sure that they have covered every single item that they are required to perform. They use them in the preflight checks, all through the trip, special circumstances, and in the shutdown procedure....