Concrete

L&M Construction Chemicals says a third-party certified testing laboratory has verified the durability and abrasion resistance of its patented dry-grind FGS/PermaShine Polished Concrete Floor System.

Construction Technology Laboratories of Skokie, Illinois performed the tests.

The test compared the durability of the FGS/PermaShine System to that of a well-cured concrete floor with a hard troweled surface. The samples were "well cured" because comparisons of polished specimens to distressed concrete with an abnormally soft or dusting surface have been thought to have inflated the results.

The results showed that the abrasion resistance and absorption characteristics of the FGS/PermaShine System were greatly improved over that of well cured, hard troweled concrete.

More information, including a copy of the recently completed CTL report, can be obtained by calling 1 800 362 3331 or by visiting www.fgs-permashine.com.

Waste Crete Systems, LLC has unveiled a new patent-pending concrete washout system called EnviroWash.

The EnviroWash process is one in which all concrete wastewater, once removed, is treated and reintroduced back into the EnviroWash unit, which is then used to clean concrete equipment over and over again. This process is designed to allow companies to reduce the liabilities and expenses associated with onsite concrete wastewater handling while reducing the amount of water used to rinse off concrete equipment at construction job sites after they have emptied their concrete loads.

Waste Crete Systems will showcase the EnviroWash System at the World of Concrete 2008 Tradeshow in Las Vegas, Jan. 22-25, at the Las Vegas Convention Center. The technology will be available for viewing at booth #N553 and at a 3 p.m. press conference on Jan. 23.

According to Waste Crete Systems, the EnviroWash System exceeds current EPA "Best Practice" standards for water contamination from concrete truck washouts and prevents nearly 90 percent of rainwater and groundwater contamination from concrete wastewater throughout the building process.

U.S. Concrete Inc. announced this week that its board of directors has approved the repurchase of 3 million shares of its common stock. The company intends to retire any repurchased shares as soon as possible. The plan does not obligate the company to purchase any particular number of shares, and may be suspended or discontinued at any time.

According to Michael W. Harlan, U.S. Concrete's president and chief executive officer, "U.S. Concrete's management and board of directors are committed to maximizing shareholder value by profitably growing our business, while maintaining operating and financial flexibility and adequate liquidity. With this announcement, we reaffirm our confidence and optimism in the long-term future of the company. We expect to generate positive free cash flow in 2008, and at current stock prices believe it is in the best interest of the company and its stockholders to repurchase shares of the company's common stock."

R-Value Concrete Structures LLC has been awarded the Exemplary Project award from the Great Lakes Renewable Energy Association for its “foundational participation” in the Onekama Hybrid Home.

The home features Build Block ICF walls from footings to trusses, stained concrete floors, and incorporates Lite-Deck floors with radiant heat/snow melt for the garage, porch and a unique second-story deck, all installed by R-Value. Many challenges had to be overcome during construction including very narrow window spacing, the second story concrete deck, and high winds throughout the building process.

According to Jake Vierzen of R-Value: "I am excited to see ICFs being recognized as an excellent complement to renewable energy technologies, and very pleased to work as part of Team Hybrid on this and other innovative homes. The Team concept incorporates many of the trades, starting with the architect, in order to deliver the absolute highest performance home possible.”

In addition to the highly efficient building, the Onekama Hybrid Home discreetly incorporates both a wind generator and solar hot water. It is expected to earn the highest rating possible under the new LEED for Homes program.

The Portland Cement Association has appointed Lawrence C. Novak as manager of buildings and special structures. He and his staff will consult with engineers, architects and contractors to directly promote the use of concrete and cement for buildings, stadiums, environmental and other structures throughout the United States.

Novak brings to PCA more than 20 years of experience as a structural engineer on some of the world’s most prominent buildings. Most recently as an associate partner with Skidmore, Owings & Merrill LLP, he served as the senior project engineer responsible for the structural design of the Burj Dubai Tower, the world’s tallest building.

Chilled water, crushed ice and evening pouring were all part of the recent effort by a New Hampshire-based concrete contractor to mitigate the effects of 113-degree temperatures and complete the construction of an ice rink in Dubai.

The New Hampshire Business Review reports that Somero Enterprises, with headquarters in Jaffrey, New Hampshire and its primary manufacturing facility in Michigan, was called in to help with the project because of its extensive experience building ice rinks, including the one that serves as home ice for the New Jersey Devils of the National Hockey League.

Somero worked as a subcontractor under CIMCO, the primary contractor on the job and a specialist in the building of ice rinks.

On the September day when the pour was scheduled, the 113-degree temperature was much too hot for adequate hydration. In order to deal with the problem, the job was started early in the evening to take advantage of slightly cooler temperatures of 95 degrees. Additionally, the concrete was cooled using chilled water at the hatching plant and kept workable during transit with crushed ice. A 5.5-inch hose was used for pumping the concrete to minimize the heat of friction that would be likely with a smaller-diameter hose. The team also ran chilled water through the pipes to remove some of the heat.

Eliminating the need for dedicated teams of men to rake the roughly placed concrete, Somero's ride-on PowerRake was able to push and pull large piles of freshly poured concrete over the submerged mesh surface, working in front of the company's CopperHead XD, which, with its laser screed, cut the concrete flat to its final grade and vibrated it smooth to the standard required by CIMCO. The process was repeated throughout the night, until 470 cubic yards - about 45 Redi-Mix trucks full - were screeded level.

It’s hard to sell much of anything in Michigan these days, let alone $500,000 homes, but green building with insulating concrete forms helped make it possible for one building group to have its best year ever in 2007.

Battle Creek-based Summit Investment Group recently had success with a development it called The Ridge at Cedar Creek, which featured energy-efficient homes in the half-million-dollar range.

Summit mainly uses Polysteel forms. Owner Daniel Kiefer says he prefers Polysteel forms – although he is willing to try others – because they come in bigger components and he likes how they are put together structurally.

While Michigan’s economy has been the worst in the nation for several years, Kiefer said quality building and competitive prices – helped by a recent reduction in the prices of green building supplies – have made it possible for Summit to buck the state’s economic trend.

“We are bucking it because we’re building in a price range that’s not nearly as economically labored as some others,” Kiefer said. “Our houses in this particular development start in a half-million range. We also do a lot of commercial construction, and I find that if we work hard and we’re a quality builder, and we associate with customers that are of the same mind – if you do a good product, there’s always a market for that. Even in the worst of times.”

A Port St. Lucie, Florida home built with insulating concrete forms will be sold for $10 as part of a fundraiser for the YMCA of the Treasure Coast, which serves Martin and St. Lucie counties.

The winner of the raffle, for which tickets are $10, will take possession of the home.

The home, which is being built on Escobar Lane in Port St. Lucie, is being donated by Homecrete Homes, and is valued at $349,800. It will feature thick, insulated concrete walls and a closed-soffit roof system aimed at making the house more energy-efficient, said Bob Cenk, vice president of Stuart-based Homecrete Homes.

Workers have finished putting plywood on the home's roof and plan to put up interior walls this week, Cenk said. The home is expected to be finished March 1. It will have four bedrooms, three bathrooms and a two-car garage.

The drawing will be March 20.

The collaborating firms of Roessler Design Group and Weidlinger Associates received an Excellence Award from the Structural Engineers Association of California (SEAOC) for their retrofit design of the Orange Coast College’s Watson Hall.

The four-story reinforced concrete building, built in the 1960s, had been abandoned for several years prior to this renovation. As with most concrete buildings of its era, the structure did not meet California’s modern day earthquake requirement.

The structural engineers incorporated steel-braced frames to enhance the seismic performance of this signature campus building.

Travelers Insurance has recently introduced a new product designed exclusively for concrete contractors.

“Today’s concrete contractor faces a number of unique challenges,” said Todd Bateson, president, Travelers Construction. “At Travelers, our insurance coverage is designed to help our policy holders and agents face those challenges. In addition, our underwriting, risk control and claim professionals understand concrete work and use their expertise to help contractors manage their cost of risk.”

Travelers provides coverage to contractors with 20 or more employees, and offers many services, including:

Go to www.Travelers.com for more information.