Concrete Supply Plus June Week #3

Posted on June 21, 2023June 3, 2024 by Nanette

NEW DETAILS: First steel beam installed at Honda/LG Jeffersonville battery plant

It’s a construction milestone — the first steel beam was installed at what will be the new joint venture electric vehicle battery production plant for Honda and LG Energy Solution.

Honda said Tuesday the first beam was installed at the construction site in Fayette County’s Jefferson Twp., near Jeffersonville.

https://www.daytondailynews.com/local/new-details-first-steel-beam-installed-at-hondalg-jeffersonville-battery-plant/2KNUBMV3NVHZHLPCQG6WSLXXQI

Construction expert predicts flat material prices for second half of year

Labor shortages, a manufacturing boom and infrastructure work are keeping the industry from returning to pre-pandemic price levels.

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/construction-consultant-material-prices-linesight/652870/

Choosing The Best Cement Screws

The many considerations for choosing the proper cement screw to use for any particular application are described in the following:

Diameter

Standard cement screws come in two diameters of 3/16” and 1/4”. The measurement refers to the outside diameter of the screw, which allows the screw to be inserted through a hole in the fixture equal to the diameter of the cement screw being installed.

Length

Each diameter of cement screw comes in different lengths from 1-1/4” long to 6”. The minimum length of cement screw used for any particular application is determined by adding the thickness of the material being fastened to the minimum embedment of 1”. The maximum length of cement screw to use is equal to the maximum embedment of 1-3/4” plus the thickness of the material being fastened.

Hole Depth

The depth of the hole is critical because it must be deep enough to allow the cement screw to be embedded at least to the minimum embedment depth of 1”. Space must be left at the bottom of the hole to allow all the dust that is created during the tapping process to fall into and out of the way. It is suggested that the hole is drilled a minimum of 1/4”deeper than the cement screw will penetrate the base material.

Diameter of Hole

The hole drilled in the base material is critical to allow the cement screw to obtain its minimum holding strength. The hole must be drilled using a carbide tipped bit that meets ANSI standards because ANSI standards will ensure proper hole to anchor tolerance. The 3/16” cement screw requires a 5/32” bit and the 1/4” diameter needs a 3/16” bit.

Materials

Cement screws are manufactured from two types of steel: low carbon plated and 410 stainless steel. The standard low carbon cement screw should be used in indoor dry applications. The 410 stainless steel can be used in applications where moisture may be present.

Head Configuration for Cement Screws

Two head styles are available: hex washer and flat countersunk. The hex washer head utilizes a nut driver for installation and the flat countersunk requires the use of a Phillips drive. The length of the hex head cement screws are measured from underneath the head and the flat countersunk are measured as an overall length. The hex headed cement screws are used in applications where the head of the screw sits on top of the item being fastened. The flat countersunk cement screw is used in applications where the head of the screw is countersunk into the item being attached.

Base Materials

The cement screw can be used in solid concrete, hollow precast concrete, brick, CMU, block and mortar joints. The holding strength of the cement screw is dependent on the strength of the base material as well as on the quality of the installation.

Use

Cement screws can be removed, but should not be reused in the same hole because holding values may be diminished or nonexistent. Using the cement screw in another hole can be done as long as the cutting edge of the screw is able to tap threads.

Brand Name

The most popular brand name for cement screws is Tapcon®. Tapcon screws are sold by Concrete Fastening Systems™, Inc., located in Cleveland, Ohio. The Tapcon brand cement screws are made in America and can be shipped anywhere in the United States with an arrival in two days. We also make and sell our own brand of masonry screws for cement applications – CONFAST® masonry screws. Our brand is comparable to Tapcon but sold at a lower price due to lack of a middleman distributor.

Concrete Supply Plus Construction Humor for the week.

Concrete Supply Plus June Week #2

Posted on June 17, 2023June 3, 2024 by Nanette

Glass-Fiber Reinforced Concrete Makes NFL Project a Standout The Hollywood Park Media Building won best office building in the 2022 PCI Design Awards. In this Q&A, the project architect tells us why.https://constructionext.com/commercial-residential/fast-5-glass-fiber-reinforced-concrete-makes-nfl-project-standout

Choosing the Best Anchor to Fasten to Concrete

What is the base material?

What is the difference between cement and concrete?

The words “concrete” and “cement” are often erroneously used as interchangeable terms. Cement is an ingredient of concrete. Concrete is a mixture of water, aggregates (i.e. small stones), sand and portland cement. Portland cement is not a brand name but rather a generic term for the type of cement used in most concrete. The cement and water harden and bind the aggregates into a solid mass over time through a process called hydration. The hydration hardens the concrete for years, which means that concrete gets stronger as it ages. People wrongly call sidewalks “cement” and point out “cement trucks” and “cement mixers”. The truth is that only concrete sidewalks and mixers exist!

How old is the concrete?

Green concrete, which is less than 28 days old, should not be drilled or anchored into. The older the concrete, the harder it gets and therefore the more difficult to drill into. In some cases, concrete also becomes more abrasive as it ages. The Tapcon screw may not work in extremely old concrete because the lead threads deteriorate and prevent the screw from being inserted the minimum of one inch. Most other concrete fasteners will successfully work in concrete regardless of age. However, the reason there are a variety of concrete fasteners is that a variety of concrete also exists. A specific concrete anchor or fastener may not work in all applications.https://www.confast.com/articles-choosing-the-best-concrete-anchor/

5 Tips for Photographing Concrete Hardscapes

The beauty of decorative concrete comes from its versatility and stunning final results. Each project’s unique traits help sell the next project. However, your future potential clients don’t necessarily have access to your past projects, which is why photography is a crucial component of your marketing plan — regardless of your company’s size. Whether you use the photography for a brag book, on your website, in brochures, on social media or with articles, you should always ensure you portray your work at its best. Here are 5 Tips for photographing concrete to remember:https://www.concretedecor.net/departments/business-industry/picture-perfect/

Hitachi Energy and Quanta Services won contracts on May 4 to design and build a 3.5-GW onshore wind energy farm in central New Mexico and a 3-GW, 550-mile transmission line from that state to Arizona to deliver its clean power and more—an estimated $8-billion project that developer Pattern Energy terms “the largest renewables development in the western hemisphere.”

The 525-kV high voltage direct current line will carry the wind energy from more than 900 turbines planned for the New Mexico project to adjacent western states. Quanta Services and its Blattner unit, acquired last year, will construct the wind farm and transmission complex, which also is set to include 10 substations, multiple O&M facilities and more than 100 miles of related transmission lines. Hitachi Energy will design and supply high voltage equipment and technology. https://www.enr.com/articles/56416-quanta-hitachi-win-big-on-8b-sunzia-wind-and-power-line-project

Concrete Supply Plus May Week #4

Posted on May 30, 2023April 2, 2024 by Nanette

How a Contractor Effectively Managed Cement Shortages for a Project for Tech Giant Meta

The ongoing cement shortage continues to be a major pain point for many firms in the concrete construction industry, but having hard conversations early on can set your project up for success, according to one contractor.

Keila Lombardozzi, a superintendent with Arizona-based DCR Construction, said the cement shortage and the challenges it poses can be a touchy subject in the industry.

“No one likes to talk about it, but have the conservation (with all parties) and have it early, as soon as possible, so that you can have an effective gameplan because this is a reality,” she said while addressing the topic at ACI’s Concrete Convention in San Francisco in early April. “This particular challenge isn’t unique.” https://constructionext.com/commercial-residential/how-contractor-effectively-managed-cement-shortages-project-tech-giant-meta

How to Get Paid for Every Change Order

Change orders are common in construction projects, but many contractors don’t charge clients for all changes or their related costs. Timothy Faller, a Maryland remodeler turned consultant, said during an educational session at the International Builders’ Show recently there are seven big mistakes construction companies make regarding change orders and provided solutions for how to get paid for all of them. https://constructionext.com/commercial-residential/how-get-paid-every-change-order?

CONFAST concrete wedge anchors’ design allows them to anchor fixtures into concrete. Concrete wedge anchors work by inserting them into a hole drilled into concrete. The concrete wedge anchor is then expanded, wedging itself securely in the concrete. USES • CONFAST® wedge anchors are designed to be used in solid concrete. • They should never be used in CMU block or brick base material. • Available in a wide range of diameters ranging from 1/4″ to 1-1/4″. The anchor lengths, which depend on the diameter, are from 1-3/4″ to 12″. • CONFAST® wedge anchors are packaged with the proper size and quantities of nuts and washers. • Hole size to be drilled in the concrete is equal to the diameter of CONFAST® wedge anchor being installed. • Available in zinc plated carbon steel for indoor dry applications, hot-dipped galvanized for moist outdoor applications, 304 stainless steel for wet outdoor applications and 316 stainless steel for use in caustic environment. • All sizes are in stock, and will ship from our Cleveland, Ohio warehouse the same day that the order is received.To order today: https://www.confast.com/products-wedge/

TOMAHAWK 1.6 HP Honda Gas Vibrating Concrete Power Screed Motor with 4ft Aluminum Magnesium Board Straight Edge Bar Set and 360° Handles with GX35 Honda Engine https://www.amazon.com/TOMAHAWK-Vibrating-Concrete-Power-Magnesium/dp/B08FBPBC5P/ref=sxbs_sbv_search_btf?

Concrete Supply Plus May week #3

Posted on May 20, 2023April 2, 2024 by Nanette

The U.S. Department of Transportation’s Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has opened $848 million in funding for the first round of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act’s Promoting Resilient Operations for Transformative, Efficient, and Cost-Saving Transportation (PROTECT) Discretionary Grant Program. https://www.masstransitmag.com/management/press-release/53058244/us-department-of-transportation-dot-fhwa-opens-848-million-in-funding-for-protect-grant-program

Be recognized as a BEST contractor

Are you one of those employers who:Brings excitement to the workforceHelps to build and maintain relationships in your crewAims to increase job satisfactionInspires workers to put their skills to the testIf the answer is yes, your company should submit an application for the Best Contractors to Work for in Construction award.

To be named a Best Contractor, a company must demonstrate their dedication to their employees, showing that people are their most important asset. A company’s commitment to its workforce gains the loyalty of the employees, boosting productivity and leading to less turnover. And having the reputation of a company that people want to work for attracts more applicants!

Register your company by July 7 for a chance to be acknowledged as one of the 2023 Best Contractors to Work for in Construction – completing the application process online is FREE. Selected companies will gain industry recognition and will have a unique advantage in attracting candidates. https://bestcompaniesgroup.com/best-contractors-to-work-for-in-construction

The split drive anchor is a one-piece pre-expanded expansion anchor made of carbon steel. It’s designed for use in a solid base material like concrete. It’s best used in in dry, interior, non-corrosive environments. The drive anchor is used to permanently fasten. The only ways to remove the object fastened is to cut off the head of the anchor, destroy the object being fastened, or pull the anchor out to concrete failure. Once installed, this anchor is tamper resistant. Learn more https://youtu.be/h4bXizvLAHU

Order online: https://www.confast.com/products-split-drive/

How to Incorporate Cracks Into Concrete Floor Designs

The most common objection to concrete floors is the potential for cracking due to settlement or shrinkage. However, not all cracks in concrete are serious enough to require repair. As long as they’re not creating structural problems, the cracks in a floor can be an asset to the design, adding to the character and rustic nature of the concrete. In some cases, you can even turn the cracks into a natural-looking flagstone pattern. Instead of cringing at cracks, take a look at these ideas for incorporating them into an appealing floor design. https://www.concretenetwork.com/concrete/stenciling_concrete/

Concrete Supply Plus May Week #2

Posted on May 17, 2023April 2, 2024 by Nanette

$260 million computer and data facility is being built at University of Wisconsin-Madison

The 350,000-square-foot building for the School of Computer, Data & Information Sciences is scheduled to be completed in 2025.

https://www.asumag.com/planning-design/new-construction/article/21264466/260-million-computer-and-data-facility-is-being-built-at-university-of-wisconsinmadison

Construction humor for the week…

CONFAST provides its customers with quick delivery, no matter the order size. Whether an order is one box or an entire, your order will leave our warehouse on the same business day that it is received.from a fully stocked warehouse in Cleveland, Ohio. Free, same-day shipping is available by ordering at www.confast.com, followed by product delivery within 1-3 days.
CONFAST ships to satisfied customers in all 50 states, as well as to our international business partners around the world. https://www.confast.com/

Ready for Rail: A Look at 2023’s Big Projects

Following a dip in activity due to the pandemic and other delays, 2023 may serve as a ramp up to a flood of new projects coming online during the next few years. https://www.masstransitmag.com/rail/article/53056323/ready-for-rail-a-look-at-2023s-big-projects

Concrete Supply Plus April Week #4

Posted on April 26, 2023February 18, 2024 by Nanette

A housing complex outside Paris is touted as the world’s first fully recycled concrete building

Holcim, a Swiss provider of sustainable building solutions, has developed a concrete made with recycled construction and demolition waste, recycled wastewater, and rainwater.

https://www.bdcnetwork.com/housing-complex-outside-paris-touted-worlds-first-fully-recycled-concrete-building

Construction Humor for the week…

To help concrete contractors save time and $ CONFAST continues to add new products you need to make your jobs easier.

Shop now:

https://www.confast.com/new-products/

Main News Page

NYC Awards $2.95B Borough-Based Jail Contract

At the beginning of the month, civil, building and specialty construction company Tutor Perini Corporation reported that it was awarded a design-build contract for the New York City Borough-Based Jails System.

The contract, valued at approximately $2.95 billion by the New York City Department of Design and Construction, is specifically for the Brooklyn Facility. Four new borough jails are slated to replace the aging facilities on Rikers Island, which will close permanently in 2027.

Design work is expected to commence following the receipt of a Notice to Proceed, which the company anticipates in June of this year.

https://www.paintsquare.com/news/view/?26417

Concrete Supply Plus April Week 3

Posted on April 24, 2023February 18, 2024 by Nanette

Sweeping AI-generated skateparks emerge from the iconic parisian cityscape

ūti architectes unveils hidden skateparks sweeping across the cityscape using artificial intelligence design tool Midjourney. The series renders quiet urban pockets far from the hustle and bustle of the street life, where vast concrete skateparks emerge seamlessly as extensions of the city’s iconic architectural fabric. Extending its conceptions beyond the physical realm, the architectural office imagines a new, somewhat surreal dimension to Paris’ culture of skateboarding. https://www.designboom.com/architecture/sweeping-ai-generated-hidden-skateparks-iconic-paris-cityscape-uti-architectes-04-16-2023

Leadwood Screw Anchors are female concrete anchors for anchoring into concrete, brick or block. The sheet metal screw expands the Leadwood Screw Anchors in the concrete, brick or block

https://www.confast.com/products-leadwood-screw/https://www.confast.com/products-leadwood-screw/

Sustainable Concrete: Innovative EREF-Funded Research

The new tests will allow for unconventional (i.e. ponded, reclaimed, off-spec) fly ash to be used in building construction, which will enhance concrete quality, and help alleviate the shortage of production fly ash for producers. Such changes will hopefully lead to the improvement of fly ash specifications and the greater use of unconventional fly ashes in construction. Unconventionally sourced fly ash, including that coming from landfills, has positive economic and environmental implications, and will aid in the management of fly ash and other solid waste materials in the US. https://www.waste360.com/c-and-d/circular-economy-more-sustainable-concrete-innovative-eref-funded-research

Gtongoko U Shape Fence Post Holder 4 Inches x 4 Inches 4 Pack, Concrete Post Anchor Deck Post Base Black

Inner diameter of the U Shape Post Anchor Concrete Bracket 4 Pack fits standard 4 x 4-inch square posts(actual 3.5″x 3.5″ dry post on market). 3.35 inch long closed sides with predrilled screw holes and 3.5 inch long open sides.

https://amzn.to/3N8TMwP

Comau’s Mate-XT Wearable ExoSkeleton Has Been Picked Up by John Deere’s Parts Center in Brazil.

Comau has equipped John Deere with multiple MATE-XT wearable exoskeletons to help sustain worker well-being, alleviate physical stress, and reduce the ergonomic risk within its parts logistics operations. MATE-XT accurately replicates all movements of the shoulder, helping employees perform their jobs comfortably by reducing muscle fatigue without limiting mobility or adding bulk.

https://www.designnews.com/industry/wearable-exoskeletons-are-display-supplier-news/gallery?slide=5

Concrete Supply Plus April Week #2

Posted on April 17, 2023February 18, 2024 by Nanette

How to win and build major manufacturing projects

Executives from JE Dunn and Turner discuss bidding and building billion-dollar manufacturing facilities.

Some are calling it the “modern day Industrial Revolution.”

But whatever name you give it, contractors are talking about how to take advantage of the current manufacturing construction boom, as dozens of factory projects go into planning or break ground in the U.S.

“We’re currently working on large-scale projects in the EV battery and consumer products sectors,” said Brent Strength, senior vice president at JE Dunn, a Kansas City, Missouri-based construction company. “The key to winning these projects centered around our unique early engagement process, tailoring it to their needs and laying out a detailed plan to drive value into the project’s budget and schedule.”

https://www.constructiondive.com/news/how-to-win-build-major-manufacturing-projects/646860/

The CONFAST® brand concrete screw is available in either the hex washer head or the flat countersunk Phillips drive.

https://www.confast.com/products-confast-concretescrew/

Joke of the week…When you’re at a party and nobody wants to talk about CONCRETE

Bauer Instant Polymer Cement 4-Pack|Ready-to-Use Alternative to Mortar and Adhesives. Versatile for Repair of Cracks on Concrete, Tile, Stone and Brick. Convenient, Durable and Easy to Store

https://amzn.to/3UI0j3j

Concrete Contractors advance Hard Hats-to-Helmets proposition

March 27, 2023 Concrete News

Sources: American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis; CP staff

The ASCC Education, Research & Development Foundation has launched www.hardhatstohelmets.org with an eye to elevating construction worker safety provisions. The site is dedicated to promoting an industry shift from traditional head protection gear to a chin strap-outfitted alternative engineered to perform under a greater variety of incidents and worker maneuvers. The Hard Hats-to-Helmets (H2H) initiative stems from American Society of Concrete Contractors Safety & Risk Management Council measures to reduce head injury frequency and severity, and coincides with key ASCC members’ migration to strapped helmets as their primary head protection requirement.

https://concreteproducts.com/index.php/2023/03/27/concrete-contractors-advance-hard-hats-to-helmets-proposition

CONFAST Nutsetter ensures smooth, rapid and trustworthy installation and successfully reduces screw failure. Ultra-sturdy installation tool made of steel with zinc coating for a high quality tool and corrosion resistance.

https://www.confast.com/3-8-confast-threaded-rod-anchor-set-tool-for-concrete-black-ea-box/

Concrete Supply Plus April Week #1

Posted on April 11, 2023August 1, 2023 by Nanette

Engineers Discover New Concrete Additives

According to the release from MIT, when ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is mixed with water, sand and gravel material during the production of concrete, it becomes highly alkaline, creating an environment for the sequestration and long-term storage of carbon dioxide in the form of carbonate materials, or a process known as carbonation.

Despite this, the study notes, when these reactions occur they can weaken the material and lower the internal alkalinity, which accelerates the corrosion of the reinforcing rebar. These processes ultimately destroy the load-bearing capacity of the building and negatively impact its long-term mechanical performance.

“The problem with these postcuring carbonation reactions,” Masic said, “is that you disrupt the structure and chemistry of the cementing matrix that is very effective in preventing steel corrosion, which leads to degradation.” Learn more: https://www.paintsquare.com/news/view/?26260

Anchors and Bits

Need answers about the exact type of concrete anchor and bits required for use in an application? Information and a brief description about the different types of concrete anchors and bits is now available. Click on any picture to be redirected to a page that will contain in-depth information about the anchor and bit.

https://www.confast.com/anchors-bits/

A 6-Day Process for Successfully Onboarding New Construction Hires

Using this step-by-step framework from Leaf Home’s Chris Counahan can help position new employees up to excel from the first day on the job.

https://constructionext.com/business-management/6-day-process-successfully-onboarding-new-construction-hires

DEWALT Concrete Surface Grinder Kit, 5-Inch (DWE46253)

About this item

Brushless motor requires no brush changes
The Electronic kickback brake engages when a pinch, stall, or bind-up event is sensed, engaging with maximum force to quickly stop the wheel, reduce the movement of the grinder, And shut the motor off
POWER-LOSS RESET® – The ON/OFF trigger switch has a no-volt release function. In the event of a power outage or other unexpected shut down, the trigger switch will need to be cycled (turned off and then on) to restart tool.
Variable speed functionality lets the user change wheel speed for applications as needed
DWE46005 bail handle (included) offers multiple positions for user preferred configuration
Order now: https://amzn.to/3KBKpmO

Concrete joke of the week…Some sort of UNTOAD story behind this.

Concrete Supply Plus March #4

Posted on April 8, 2023July 2, 2023 by Nanette

What Qualifies A Concrete Contractor For The R&D Tax Credit

There are four criteria for concrete work done to qualify for the Research & Development Tax. Let’s examine what these are.

The Research & Development Tax Credit (R&D) comes into play if a contractor develops a new process to improve efficiencies or experiments with innovative ways to reduce or eliminate uncertainty within their business. If there was experimentation and/or testing done during the construction of a parking garage – for example – this work is where the R&D Tax Credit would be applied and considered. While it has been available in the Internal Revenue Code (IRC) for a while, it has unfortunately not been widely regarded.

A top product from CONFAST

1/2″ x 4-1/4″ Wedge Anchor Zinc Plated, 25/Box

CONFAST®

In Stock / Ships Today

SKU: WA12414

Bit Size: 1/2″

Products Features

ZINC PLATED: Helps prevent rust in dry environments; dependable application and maintenance
WIDE RANGE OF SIZES: Ensures correct fastener for effective results
FOR USE IN CONCRETE ONLY: Provides most consistent holding values; secure application
PACKAGED WITH NUTS AND WASHER: Fast, quick, complete installation
HOLE SIZE IS ANCHOR SIZE: Quick and easy installation; simple to order
Order now: https://www.confast.com/product-1-2-x-4-1-4-wedge-anchor-zinc-plated/

Orlando construction retail project in the Mills 50 area: https://mills50.org/

IPAF Releases New Guidance on Avoiding Contact with Power Lines

The International Powered Access Federation (IPAF) released new guidance outlining key principles and ways to reduce risks when using mobile elevating work platforms in the vicinity of power lines, with the aim of helping to reduce electrocution.

Visit www.ipaf.org/resources to view or download the new IPAF Safe Use of MEWPs in the Vicinity of Power Lines guidance document. For more information about High Voltage! as well as Don’t Fall For It! and all of IPAF’s targeted safety campaigns see www.ipaf.org/safe and continue to use www.ipafaccidentreporting.org to report incidents and near misses involving powered access.

GET SERIOUS Paver Sealer Super Strong Concrete Paver Sealer and Sand Lock All-in-One. Water Based Wet Look Sealant for Cement, Brick, Natural Stone, Slate, Bluestone, Patio, Driveway. (Gallon)

STRONGER and MORE DURABLE than ever. Protects the Pavers and Locks The Sand In Place. Black Diamond Stoneworks heard your request to develop a more substantial paver sealer, and we did it.
ENGINEERED SPECIFICALLY For Concrete and Stone Pavers. This proprietary formula is water-based acrylic combined with our solvent-free urethane. Easy to Maintain 100% Money Back Guarantee.
WILL PROVIDE a BEAUTIFUL GLOSS FINISH and STABILIZE The Paver Sand in Place All in One Step. No More Weeds! It Will Help Keep The Sand Out The Pool, Spa, and Your Home.
KEEP YOUR PAVERS LOOKING NEW. Clean-up is a breeze, So; You Can Enjoy your day. At Black Diamond Stoneworks we make cleaning easy
GET SERIOUS PAVER SEALER provides excellent resistance to wear, BBQ Sauce, pool chemicals, saltwater, oil, gas, and UV rays.

https://amzn.to/3KFwD3F https://amzn.to/3KFwD3F https://amzn.to/3KFwD3F https://amzn.to/3KFwD3F

What happens when you put ducks in a cement mixer?

You get quacks in the pavement…

If a robber robs a house under renovation and accidentally leaves his handprint on wet cement,

Does that mean that the police have concrete evidence?