Master Builders to represent Exact concrete maturity monitoring system

Sources: Master Builders Solutions, Beachwood, Ohio; CP staff Master Builders Solutions has entered into an agreement to serve as the official promoter of the cast-in-place concrete temperature and maturing monitoring, plus match curing systems of Toronto-based Exact Technology Corp. The move advances both parties’ “common goal of making the concrete industry more sustainable, efficient, and safe via game-changing technology.” The…

Read More

Tall Buildings group recognizes Doka form-positioning technology

Sources: Doka GmbH, Austria; Doka USA Ltd., Little Ferry, N.J.; CP staff An interactive sensor-based tool enabling accurate formwork positioning for cast-in-place concrete structures has earned an Innovation Award of Excellence from the Council on Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat (CTBUH), a Chicago-based organization serving professionals focused on high-rise design, construction and operation. 

Read More

Shockey details precast alternative to underground, C-I-P parking structure

Sources: PCI Mid-Atlantic, Lancaster, Pa.; Shockey Precast, Winchester, Va.; CP staff

Shockey Precast has added to its roster of 400-plus parking decks a 689-space structure extending 67 feet below grade and doubling as a foundation for a planned 1.5-sq.-ft. University of Pennsylvania and Pennsylvania Health System facility in Philadelphia. A precast schedule emanating from the producer’s Winchester, Va., flagship plant includes 1,137 pieces, the largest reaching 41 tons; 220,000 sq. ft. of double tee beams; 125,000 sq. ft. of wall panels; and, 17,000 sq. ft. of flat slabs. 

Read More

Past ACI President Ellis heads Pankow Foundation

Sources: Charles Pankow Foundation, Vancouver, Wash.; CP staff

The Charles Pankow Foundation, a leading benefactor for research advancing cast-in-place or precast concrete engineering and practice, has appointed Anne Ellis, P.E., FACI, F.ASCE, as executive director. Founder of Ellis Global and past American Concrete Institute president, she previous served as a special advisor to the Foundation Board to rally support for collaborative innovation in architecture, engineering and construction. 

Read More

Precision-Hayes deploys IoT to expedite post-tensioning data relay

Sources: Precision-Hayes International, Seagoville, Texas; CP staff

Precision-Hayes plans to commercialize technology that will provide architects, engineers or other project stakeholders with real-time tendon elongation and force readings from post-tensioning (P-T) operations. Initial market development will focus on unbonded, monostrand tendons typical in elevated, cast-in-place concrete slabs and parking structures.

Read More

Report probes concrete petrography, defect detection

Sources: Lucideon, Schenectady, N.Y.; CP staff

A new white paper shows how petrographic examination identifies the root cause of common deficiencies and degradation mechanisms in hardened concrete, from low compressive strength, surface scaling or spalling to cracking and alkali-aggregate or chemical reactions. Available free of charge, “The Concreting Process and Petrographic Examination,” is primarily for cast-in-place concrete but offers content applicable to precast as well, and suits engineers, architects, contractors, producers, agencies and building owners.

Read More

Infrastructure study findings bode well for precast methods

Sources: Freedonia Group, Cleveland; CP staff

Demand for precast concrete in infrastructure contracts is projected to increase 4.4 percent annually, to $2.4 billion by 2022, with growth fueled by the need to repair the nation’s aging network of bridges, highways, roads and railroad tracks; increased adoption of the method over traditional cast-in-place alternatives; and, efforts by the federal government to increase surface transportation investment. 

Read More

ACI, ASCC formalize Decorative Concrete Committee, certifications

Sources: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.; CP staff

The American Concrete Institute and American Society of Concrete Contractors have designated ACI Committee 310, Decorative Concrete, a joint ACI-ASCC committee, tasked with compiling and releasing information on the application of artistic finishes of cast-in-place concrete; avoiding duplication of efforts; and, speeding document development.

Read More

Contractors, CIM research finds mockups best ACI 347 formed-surface criteria

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

Researchers evaluating the American Concrete Institute’s Guide to Formed Concrete Surfaces (ACI 347.3R-13) contend that a) suggested measurements or other criteria used in assigning a given formed surface to one of the document’s four categories is neither objective nor practical; b) converting ACI 347.3R-13 recommendations to specification requirements could result in disputes and litigation; and, c) preparation of concrete mockups for architect or engineer approval is superior to the guide’s methodologies.

Read More