Masonry Construction articles from September 2005

Masonry Construction archives from September 2005

Which steps to follow.(American Society of Concrete Contractors)
September 1, 2005... Prior to the first underclass football game of the season, I met the school's varsity coach, whom I have known for a couple of years. My middle son played for this coach when he was in high school. And I managed the coach's son in youth league...

Trial by error.
September 1, 2005... Lessons hard learned are often best remembered. The saying is especially true for contestant 522 at this year's masonry competition at the Skills USA event in Kansas City in June. Contestant 522 probably would have won the post-secondary...

Iowa mason wins "Fastest Trowel" contest.(Mason Contractors Association of America )(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Benjamin L. Houghton, Houghton Masonry, Blue Grass, Iowa, bested a dozen others including 2004 champion Moroni Mejia, Rhino Masonry, Mesa, Ariz., to with the "Fastest Trowel on the Block" contest at the recent Mason Contractors Association of...

North Carolina Association presents award.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The North Carolina Masonry Contractors Association has presented long-time member Freddie McMahan (center) the group's prestigious "Eleanor Flowers Upton" award. Named for NCMCA's first executive director, the award recognizes "long-term...

Two new trade shows planned for China.(brickbats)
September 1, 2005... The Association of Equipment Manufacturers and Hanley Wood LLC have agreed to co-locate two construction trade shows in Beijing, China, in May 2006. AEM will produce CONEXPO Asia and Hanley Wood will present World of Concrete Asia. The...

Bilco Brick turns 50.(brickbats)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Bilco Brick, Lancaster, Texas, recently celebrated its 50th birthday. The company has a production capacity of more than 100 million king-size brick per year, available in a variety of colors, textures, and finishes. Bilco Brick has sales...

KMI presents annual architectural awards.(Kentuckiana Masonry Institute)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... The Kentuckiana Masonry Institute's annual awards recognizing excellence in architectural design were recently presented to the architect, mason contractor, structural engineer, and owner in seven project categories. * The "M" Honor Award...

Elegant and economical.(construction of office buildings)
September 1, 2005... When Charles Bryant needed a new headquarters for his architectural and contracting firms, he saw an opportunity to incorporate some innovative techniques, create a showcase for his companies' capabilities, maximize cost savings, and promote...

Instructor passes tradition to next generation: Rich Nagy prepares the industry for the future, while preserving its past.(Maplewood Career Center)
September 1, 2005... I always member the masons I had the privilege of learning from at the onset of my career," observed Rich Nagy, reflecting on his decision to join Maplewood Career Center, Ravenna, Ohio, in 1997. "I would not be the mason I am today without...

Shelf angles at inner corners.
September 1, 2005... Designing and constructing shelf angles at interior wall corners can be complex. The column-to-beams connection creates a difficult flashing condition that can result in water penetration if special provisions are not met. Unlike outer...

Vertical cracks.(methods to prevent concrete cracking)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Q The interior concrete masonry wall at a warehouse that I am working on has developed vertical cracks at approximately 12-feet on-center. These cracks generally coincide with the column lines and are halfway between the columns. The actual...

Purpose of arches.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Q I surveyed a bell tower to determine the condition of the masonry. I noticed several arches within the field of the masonry walls in the interior of the tower. These arches often occurred several feet above the window openings. What is...

Where are the headers?(Construction industry)(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Q I have seen several older masonry walls that have the appearance of running bond, yet do not contain any visible headers. In going over the walls with a metal detector, there is no indication of any wall ties. Were these walls built...

Adding latex to mortar.(Brief Article)
September 1, 2005... Q I have heard that adding latex to concrete increases the bond in concrete patching mortars. Can latex be added to tuckpointing mortar to increase the bond and improve performance? A Latex additives are added to mortar to increase bond....

Which is better: small or large crews?(Contractor Tip)
September 1, 2005... Have you ever wondered if you're more productive to have smaller crews or larger crews? In our 20+ years experience, we've found that using smaller crews increases productivity, as long as your overhead doesn't kill you. (By the way, you may...

Masonry Construction's top contractors: McGee Brothers continues dominance of the annual listing.(top contractors)
September 1, 2005... For the fourth consecutive year, McGee Brothers. Co., Monroe, N.C., topped the chart in MASONRY CONSTRUCTION magazine's annual listing of top masonry contractors, based on last year's sales volume. The contractor posted a masonry volume of $85...

Imitate the elite!(TRAINING)
September 1, 2005... This article will be dedicated to MC's Top 100 Masonry Contractors. Having provided training to over 1200 people through our factory seminars over the last 8 years, Hydro Mobile can attest to the fact that our leading Masonry Contractors are...

Smart brick: a low cost, modular, wireless sensor provides a method for monitoring structures.(brick)
September 1, 2005... Recent advances in electronics have made it possible to build low cost wireless sensing nodes to create networks for gathering data from distributed sources where wiring would be too difficult, dangerous, or expensive to implement. In an...

Protecting tuckpointing workers: here are some guidelines for mitigating dangerous dust exposure.
September 1, 2005... Removing old mortar with handheld grinders while tuckpointing is among the dustiest of all construction jobs. Dust opacity often exceeds permissible exposure levels for the mason doing the work. In addition, safety experts have warned...

Masonry Construction's "Industry Leader of the Year" award.
September 1, 2005... Some people are born leaders. These individuals are always working hard to make their industry better, safer, and stronger. They are an industry's lifeblood. There are many of these types of people in the masonry construction industry, and...

Product available in several lengths.(Hand Levels)
September 1, 2005... The Type 187K mason level is designed to be hit with a trowel. It also features a top-mounted horizontal vial for greater visibility, which minimizes bending. It is accurate within 1/32-inch over 72 inches, and is guaranteed for life. The frame...

Heavy-duty levels match tough jobsite conditions.(Hand Levels)
September 1, 2005... The 8600 Series box beam levels come in four lengths from 24 to 72 inches. Each model is designed to withstand the rigors of heavy onsite use while maintaining readability and accuracy in harsh conditions. Rubberized endcaps absorb shocks and...

Handcrafted wooden models up to 50-inches long.(Hand Levels)
September 1, 2005... This company offers three- and five-piece levels, as well as door bucks and other accessories. The handcrafted wooden levels are strong, durable, and accurate within 0.015 inch in the length of the level. They are available in sizes from 8 to...

Three beams operate up to 200 feet.(Hand Levels)
September 1, 2005... The DW099 three-beam laser level is a versatile reference tool that combines bubble vials and laser beams to meet jobsite demands and application needs. The tool generates precise laser beams for plumb, level, and square applications, with an...

Box beam levels made from aluminum.(Hand Levels)
September 1, 2005... These box beam levels are made from aluminum with an extra thick and wide extrusion profile that incorporates reinforcing ribs for durability. Thick rubber endcaps protect the levels if dropped. The vials are precision-machined from a...

Product features front vial viewer.(Hand Levels)
September 1, 2005... The 920 mason's level (the Shark) features the Plumbsite front vial viewer, which saves money and eliminates neck and back strain. The tool is electronically calibrated with an accuracy of 0.5 mm/meter, and has two shock-resistant rubber anvils...

Level offers 10 working positions.(Hand Levels)
September 1, 2005... The e70 features True Blue vials with advanced concentric molding that are easy to read for high accuracy in all 10 working positions. Tempered glass lenses ensure fewer breaks and aluminum-reinforced frames never warp, twist, or bend. The tool...

Excavator digs deep and fast.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... With a 7-foot 6-inch digging depth and 12-foot 10-inch maximum reach, the 323 compact excavator reaches farther and digs faster with minimal repositioning. The two-speed travel motors and hydraulic system offer increased speed and control....

Wheel excavators feature new drive train.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... C-series wheel excavators--M313C, M315C, M316C, M318C, and M322C--feature a new drive train for more useable speed and long life. The machines provide joystick steering in first gear, proportional medium-pressure hydraulics for work tool...

Vibratory roller includes intelligent compaction system.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... The BW213DH-4BVC single-drum vibratory roller features the Vario-control intelligent compaction system for non-cohesive materials and mixed soils. The system enables the roller to automatically adjust drum output energy for optimized compaction...

Loader backhoe handles small- to mid-size jobs.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... The TLB-6235 compact loader backhoe has a 6000-pound bucket digging force and easily meets the needs of small- to mid-size earth-moving applications. The loader features mechanical four-wheel drive so operators can work in adverse conditions....

Mini skidsteer easily changes to handle multiple tasks.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... The SK300 mini skidsteer easily transforms from a trencher to a loader, pallet lifter, or augering machine. It has a 13-hp Honda engine and independent dual hydrostatic ground drives for a zero turning radius. * Ditch Witch,...

Remove concrete and stone without hammering.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... The Beak attachment features a crow bar fork design that multiplies the breakout force of skidsteers. It has a grapple jaw that holds the load in place, eliminating the use of pallet forks and the need for sawing or hammering concrete before...

Wheel loaders work in tight quarters.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... Two new members of the Dash-5 line of wheel loaders--54-hp WA65-5 and 60-hp WA70-5--are equipped with a hydrostatic transmission, so only needed power is used for any given application. They both have engines that meet EC Stage II emission...

Backhoe delivers precise control.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... Automated control of every system on the 410H backhoe is integrated into the machine, from the engine to transmission and hydraulic functions to brakes. All systems respond automatically to the speed set by the operator. Backhoe hydraulics...

Other companies offering site preparation equipment include.(Site Preparation Equipment)
September 1, 2005... Other companies offering site preparation equipment include: Dana Corp., www.dana.com/offhighway--circle 16 Gehl Co., www.gehl.com--circle 17 Kubota Tractor Corp., www.kubota.com--circle 18 Miskin Scraper Works Inc.,...

Making estimating easier.
September 1, 2005... Everyone is looking for good suggestions on how to make the estimating job easier. I don't have all the answers: however, I can offer some tips that should prove helpful. Start by looking over the drawings thoroughly to get a good overall...