July/August/September 2022 THE LEADING TRADE MAGAZINE IN THE CONCRETE INDUSTRY BLOCKOLD Key factors of a successful concrete repair jobWWW.FORCONSTRUCTIONPROS.COM/CONCRETE CONCRETEExperienceMatters!REPAIREXPERTSSHAREADVICE MACHINESDEMOLITIONCONTROLLEDREMOTE-5SAFETYTIPS: A OFFCHIPTHE MOISTURECONCRETEINTERNALUNDERSTANDING ➜ SAVE TIME & MONEY WITH CRUSHINGMOBILE The benefits of recycling waste concrete
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 3 FEATURES 8 Mobile Crushing Saves Time & Money Recycling virgin or waste concrete transportationeliminatesfees, lowers costs. 12 How Contractors Can Profit SustainableFromWork Reduce waste tippage and prevent spiraling landfill volumes from driving up waste disposal costs. 16 Concrete Education, Training Certification& With demand for certification in concrete construction continuing to grow, ACI’s Resource Centers expand accessibility. 18 5 Safety DemolitionRemote-ControlledTips:Machines Simple safety tips operators should remember when using remotecontrolled demolition equipment. DEPARTMENTS 4 Editor’s Letter 6 New Products 14 Product Focus Demolition & Removal Equipment 30 Product Focus Repair Products 50 The Last Placement 26 3 Concrete Repair Experts Share Their Advice A few concrete experts to share their ‘best advice’ regarding concrete repair. 32 What Is Moisture Content In Concrete & Why It Matters Unless you’re working with ideal conditions, moisture content in concrete will likely be an issue. 34 Choose the RightSurface AttachmentGrinder Basic guidelines to help with choosing the proper type of attachment. 38 Carbide 101 A primer on tungsten carbide in concrete drilling. WHAT’S INSIDEJULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 | Issue 4, Volume 22 Cover and above photo courtesy of Contech Services Inc. 20 Key Factors Of A Successful Concrete Repair Job A few vital considerations. SPECIFICATION GUIDES 36 Concrete Vibrators 40 Concrete Drills 41 Concrete Saws FORM YOUR BUSINESS 42 How To SoftwareConstructionSelectSafety 10 tips to select the right construction safety management software for your company. COVER STORY WHAT’S ONLINE Turn Mini-excavators Into Multipurpose Machines Increase mini-excavator utilization and save money in the process. ForConstructionPros.com/22093072
“[Concrete contractors] are constantly facing this issue of ramping up volume and price adjustments because the concrete industry was delayed in their price adjustments. Now they've been aggressively taking 4 and 5% increases con secutively over the last two quarters,” says Baty. Keeping up to date with price increases has been the crux of the issue. On one hand, bids out to customers 60-90 days in advance are outdated as material prices might have risen since. So, what are you supposed to do? I wish there was a single silver-bullet solution but there won't be. The only thing anyone can do is plan ahead and accomplish one thing at a time. It's more like a shotgun spread of ideas with each adding another element to the mix. (Oh, I'm mixing metaphors now.)
One Thing At A Time
4 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI, EDITOR JKOZLOWSKI@ ACBUSINESSMEDIA.COM Facebook.com/ ConcreteContractor Instagram.com/ ConcreteContractor Twitter.com/ ConcreteInsider LinkedIn.com/company/ Concrete-Contractor-Magazine PUBLICATION STAFF Editor Jonathan jkozlowski@KozlowskiACBusinessMedia.com Contributing Writers Kim Basham, Jim Baty, Brad Humphrey, Sean O’Keefe, Chad White Senior Production Manager Cindy Rusch Art Director April Van Etten Audience Development Manager Angela Franks ADVERTISING SALES (800) 538-5544 Mike Worley mworley@ACBusinessMedia.com Nikki Lawson nlawson@ACBusinessMedia.com Sean Dunphy sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com Tadashi Soma tsoma@ACBusinessMedia.com Kristin Pride kpride@ACBusinessMedia.com FORCONSTRUCTIONPROS.COM Digital Content Director Wayne wgrayson@ACBusinessMedia.comGrayson Managing Editor Gigi gwood@ACBusinessMedia.comWood CHANGE OF ADDRESS & SUBSCRIPTIONS PO Box 3605, Northbrook, IL 60065-3605, Phone: (877) 201-3915 Fax: (847) 291-4816 • circ.ConcreteContractor@omeda.com REPRINTS Sean Dunphy, (800) 538-5544 , sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com LIST RENTAL Bart Piccirillo, Sr. Account Manager, Data Axle, Phone: (518) 339-4511 Email: bart.piccirillo@infogroup.com AC BUSINESS MEDIA Chief Executive Officer Ron Spink Chief Financial Officer JoAnn Breuchel Chief Digital Officer Kris Heineman Chief Revenue Officer Amy Schwandt Brand Director, Supply Chain & Green Industry Jason Desarle Brand Director, Construction Sean Dunphy Vice President, Operations Nick Raether VP Audience Development Ronda Hughes Director, Demand Generation & Education Jim Bagan General Manager, Online & Marketing Services Bethany Chambers Content Director Marina Mayer Published and copyrighted 2022 by AC Business Media. All rights reserved. No part of this publication may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopy,
CONCRETE CONTRACTOR (USPS 021-799, ISSN 1935-1887 (print); ISSN 2471-2302 (online) is published 6 times a year: January, February/March, April-June (Spring), July-September (Summer), October/November and December by AC Business Media, 201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538. Printed in the U.S.A. Periodicals postage paid at Fort Atkinson, WI, and additional entry offices.
James Baty II Concrete Foundations Association Mt. Vernon, Iowa Jim Cuviello Cuviello Concrete Polished | Stained | Crafted Stevensville, Md. Chris Klemaske T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc. San Diego, Calif. Dennis Purinton Purinton Builders, Inc. East Granby, Conn.
EDITOR’S LETTER
Concrete Contractor is the Official Media Sponsor of the CFA Foundation Company Certification Program Advisory Board Kim Basham KB Cheyenne,EngineeringWyo.
hese are truly unprecedented times. Not only are interest rates on their way back up again (so says my mortgage bank), it seems the swol len price of everything else has put a bruise on the balance sheets of everyone's budgets. Material prices remain high despite lumber falling 23% in June. For context, according to an analysis of the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index by the National Association of Home Builders, this volatility has "added $14,345 to the price of a new single-fami ly home and $5,511 to the market value of an average new multifamily home."
T
I've been told on multiple occasions that this industry has been tough to change. While true in some cases, I would actually argue against. It's slow because the solution needs to be right. In a short period of time, we've seen more attention towards more environmentally friendly products like PLCs, plant-based coatings, software technologies giving contractors an edge in pur chasing smarter, and more. It's one thing at a time. recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Concrete Contractor, PO Box 3605 Northbrook, IL JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER60065-36052022,Issue 2, Volume 22 One year subscription to non-qualified individuals: U.S. 1 year: $35, 2 years: $70. Canada & Mexico 1 year: $60, 2 years: $105. All other countries 1 year: $85, 2 years: $160 (payable in U.S. funds drawn on U.S. banks). Single copies available (prepaid only) $10.00 each (U.S., Canada & Mexico), $15.00 each (International).
Canada Post PM40612608. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Concrete Contractor, PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2. Printed in the U.S.A. Published by AC Business Media 201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544 • www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concretewww.ACBusinessMedia.com
According to the Associated Builders and Contractors analysis of the same data, non-residential construction input prices have increased by 1.8%. for June. This marks a 20% increase from a year ago. But there's hope, albeit a little, with ABC's Chief Economist Anirban Basu stating that this might be marking what he called peak inflation. I recently spoke with James Baty II, executive director of the Concrete Foundations Association. Despite this small step forward, he called this "the most challenging market since 2007." The combination of unit price issues, volume supply, and the threat of a recession may have softened, but unexpect ed impacts like the radical loss of labor in every market due to COVID have made the construction industry tough day in, and day out.
ACI Resource Centers — Southern California, Chicago/Midwest, and East Coast (Coming Soon!) Helping to meet the increasing need for ACI knowledge through hands-on training, educational offerings, and on-demand access to ACI Certification programs. Designated for the trades, contractors, inspectors, designers, and engineers. ACI Resource Centers are a great fit for new-hire onboarding, employee education, and customer or member training. Learn more at ACICertification.org
• Promotes flatter, thicker, denser cream cap SikaCem-190 Concrete Control is applied during the floating and troweling of freshly placed concrete to control moisture loss, allow proper cement hydration, extend workability, and make finishing concrete flatwork easier and faster under adverse conditions of wind, sun, high temperatures, or low humidity.
hazards for
The MX FUEL Concrete Vibrator increases productivity and on the jobsite by eliminating trip hazards and the need for cords gas generators with its cordless innovation. The MX FUEL technology with built-in POWERSTATE Brushless Motor delivers the power to push a 2 1/2-in. head at VPM Track, secure the vibrator from their mobile device through ONE-KEY. 2-1/2 up to from up to 30
• Accepts heads up to
manage, and
MAX USA Corp. has updated its battery for its TWINTIERs, rebar tiers, and rebar cutters with a new battery featuring an increased Ah—which provides more ties and cuts charge.
in. and shafts
• Replacing the current 14.4V batteries, the new 5.0Ah JPL91450A batteries will allow RB441T and RB611T to tie up to 5,000 ties, RB401T-E to tie up to 4,500 ties, and RB398S to tie up to 4,000 ties in one charge.
• Replacing the current 24.4V batteries, the new 5.0Ah JPL92550A batteries will allow PJRC160 to cut up to 310 times on #5 rebar.
•
• Lubricates concrete surface Promotes proper hydration
• Improves abrasion resistance
ForConstructionPros.com/22184646
21 ft. long • Compatible with Oztec accessories • Wireless remote gives users the ability to run the machine
more productive placement.
6 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete For more information visit CONC.me/products Milwaukee Tool's MX FUEL Concrete Vibrator
The MX FUEL Concrete Vibrator was designed to consolidate up to 45 yds3 on a single charge with a 2-in. head and 14-ft. shaft tripping a safer and
• Chemically reacts with entire mix design
ForConstructionPros.com/22275812
NEW PRODUCTS
MAX USA Batteries
• Reduces efflorescence
Husqvarna Construction will launch its new range of HEPA dust extractors throughout 2022. Created to compliment projects with grinders, power cutters, drill motors and other light construction equipment, the five dust extractors in the range, including two battery-powered models, are designed to contribute to a healthier working environment while increasing productivity.
ForConstructionPros.com/22275631 SikaCem-190
prematurely.Applications
•
Husqvarna’s new HEPA dust extractors feature the new e-flow technology that enables continuous high performance. A redesigned filter cleaning mechanism also ensures the cleaning process can be done simply by closing the inlet and pressing a button. Also, a cost-efficient, improved LONGOPAC dust bag attachment system in combination with long filter lifetime delivers low cost of ownership.
safety
while eliminating cords and
Husqvarna Construction HEPA Dust Extractors
for optimal concrete consolidation. •
ForConstructionPros.com/22197170 Bosch Cordless 12V Max Brushless 3-in. Angle Grinder Offering pros more tool control, speed, and power efficiency when working to cut through tough materials from threaded rods, tile, and brick, the GWS12V-30 12V Max Brushless 3-inch Angle Grinder features an optimized gear structure, fast breaking time, and brushless motor to maximize battery runtime. • Produces 19,500 no-load rpm to cut threaded rod, strut, conduit, tile, and more • Engineered to fit the palm of a user’s hand, for outstanding comfort and control • Efficient brushless motor maximizes battery runtime in extended applications • Innovative spindle-lock design provides fast wheel change, with a spindle-clip release • Wheel stops in less than a second after the grinder is turned off The GWS12V-30 12V grinder also comes in a set and includes: GWS12V-30 12V Max Brushless 3-inch Angle Grinder, a wheel guard,
and
Ideal for all
• Reduces surface crazing
over 10,000
ft. away ForConstructionPros.com/22184453
per
• Chargeable in current MAX JC925A chargers. Batteries in MAX USA’s TWINTIERs, Rebar Tiers and their PJRC160 rebar cutter products will be switched to the new JPL91450A /JPL92550A batteries in a running change. one grinding disc and one cutting disc. Concrete Control by Sika concrete, colored concrete, and dry shake hardener applications, Sika's SikaCem-190 Concrete Control is a non-filming, low VOC, amorphous colloidal silica topical additive applied to freshly placed concrete that maintains adequate moisture while reducing the risk of concrete setting of SikaCem-190 Concrete Control include decorative concrete, concrete slabs, polished concrete, driveways and sidewalks, interior or exterior concrete, parking garages, industrial floor slabs, and bridges and roads. Extended concrete workability
YOUR CONCRETE
Reactive Form Release effectively prevents the bonding of fresh concrete mix to forms and equipment. HP Concrete Cold Patch™ is a fast, flexible repair solution to get the job done quick.
We are constantly innovating new concrete products through ongoing research in order to provide our customers with the most reliable, highest-quality products on the market for repairing concrete. We offer a variety of concrete repair materials to meet your needs. Helping you find the right product solution is our commitment. Expert field support, product demos, and nationwide sales, service and rentals. DISCOVER OUR FAMILY OF QUALITY PAVEMENT PRESERVATION BRANDS
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Concrete Cures strengthen newly paved concrete surfaces. Easily spray-apply to produce a hard, stable concrete. TechCrete™ provides flexibility, strength, and durability. Its exceptional ability to bond to concrete is a perfect repair for slab cracks, corner breaks, joint deterioration, and other distresses. Unmatched performance, this is a once-and-done repair.
Effective concrete repair solutions that provide strength, flexibility, and lasting performance. Get started today! Visit
TIME & MONEY
T he construction industry is one of the largest recyclers in the country, recycling and reus ing asphalt and concrete in massive amounts. Today's mobile crushers are suited for use in a wide range of applica tions, including for asphalt and concrete or for mixed construction and demoli tionForwaste.larger road construction or demolition projects, on-site recycling and crushing of materials can be beneficial to the project bottom line. Processing, screening and crushing existing concrete and asphalt on-site eliminates unnecessary transportation costs and hassles. The recycled product may be used on the project at hand, sold to another job or transported and stored for future work—saving space in landfills and saving money. Recycling on the jobsite also miti gates the cost of buying virgin stone, and it can be stockpiled to build some thing else on the property. Other advan tages of recycling concrete and asphalt right at your location include:
• Eliminating usage demand for much needed landfill space
Recycling of virgin or waste on the jobsite eliminates transportation fees and lowers costs.
• Lowering aggregate material cost for construction projects
• Lowering traffic impact and reducing energy costs
HOW CRUSHINGMOBILEWORKS
• Helping preserve virgin deposits and protecting the environment
Screening and crushing plants receive the material from the initial crushing process and are small enough to be mobile. Additional crushing further reduces large particle sizes, while the screener sorts out material, allow ing the right size material to pass through and return ing the larger particles back to the crusher for further processing. In order to smooth out the gradation of the crushed particle and ensure a higher quality material, the new aggregate can be fed into the crusher hopper and mixed with the recycled material. Recycled aggregate materials can offer superior compaction, better yield and greater durability over virgin (quarry or pit) aggregate bases. The use of recycled aggregates is Today's mobile crushers are ideal for use in a wide range of applications, including as a mobile recovered concrete crusher, or for asphalt and mixed C&D waste. Kleeman fokas.pokas/adobestock.com
Mobile Crushing Saves
• Eliminating or reducing transportation costs
8 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete MOBILE CRUSHING » BY JESSICA LOMBARDO
• Eliminating or reducing tipping fees and disposal costs
The Stinger electric flex shaft vibrator is rugged, lightweight, and powerful. The 115v electric motor has been designed to run cool with the power and torque to handle todays concrete loads. The stinger attaches to competitor core and casing with quick disconnect adapters. www.minnich-mfg.com THE STINGER
10 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete MOBILE CRUSHING CONTINUED
crusher can be useful for turning con crete into usable aggregate. For larger jobs, mobile crushing units are ideal. The stand-out feature of the mobile crusher or tracked impactor for recycling applications is its mobility combined with high productivity per hour. Units are fully self-contained on tracked undercarriage and can be easily driven off a trailer by one operator and quickly put to work, with the capability for mov ing directly to materials. Some models are even capable of tracking (moving about on their tracks) while crushing. Every time material is moved around or off the jobsite, labor and expenses are involved. Mobile crushers bring the machine to the jobsite, right to the pile and allow for efficient material processing.
CRUSHERS: RENT VS. OWN
When it comes to investing in crushing equipment, buying vs. renting can offer distinct trade-offs. Buying crushing equipment usually requires a larger investment than renting, though financing options are able to ease the acquisition. Renting can allow for a smaller initial investment; but depending on the job length and frequency of use, rental costs could add up over Largertime.volumes of material will require a dedicated crusher, which is not only a large capital investment but a heavy time and space commitment, as well. Crushers require a substantial amount of room and take time for setup. When you fold out a screen plant and set up a jaw crusher, you need to plan for their footprint on project sites. You will need room for the stockpiles, as well.Large crushers also require support equipment, such as an excavator to feed the crusher and a dozer to move the recycled material to the stockpile. In addition, your crew will need to be Every time material is moved around or off the jobsite, labor and expenses are involved. Mobile crushers bring the machine right to the pile and allow for efficient material processing. Superior Industries
CONCRETE CURING COVERS
THE typically authorized by StateDepartmentsTransportationforuseinroadbedsanddrainageprojects.Toperformon-sitecrushing,contractorsneedtoeitherownorrentspecializedequipment.Forsmallerprojects,acrushingattachmentorsmallportable
Carefully consider the economics before committing to on-site crushing. Justifying this expense requires that you have sufficient material to crush. Many say having a crusher on site is not worth the expense unless there is 3,000 tons of material or more. Ultimately, it will come down to how much you will use the equipment and if you can keep it busy. For more on crushing and screening plants, visit CONC.me/ crushingscreening Recycling on the jobsite mitigates the cost of buying virgin stone and it can be stockpiled to build something else on the property. Crushing concrete on site is one of the most popular forms of recycling.
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 11 Are you a contractor who works in construction, demolition, excavation, or hardscaping? Don’t keep wasting time and money on the job site when you can be saving on the purchasing and disposal of construction materials! If you demo a concrete structure don't pay to have it hauled away... crush and screen it with Komplet America's mobile material processing equipment! TURN YOUR DEMOLITION WASTE INTO DOLLARS SMALL MOBILE CRUSHERS, SCREENERS & SHREDDERS Call (908) 369-3340 or visit www.kompletamerica.com to request a quote!
KPI-JCI
The K-JC704 mobile crusher is small enough for easy transportation, but strong enough to withstand the toughest of applications. It features a 27" x 16" single toggle jaw crusher that can be adjusted hydraulically producing an end-product of 3/4"-3-1/4" at a rate of up to 90tph. trained on how to use the equipment and how to troubleshoot the machine in case of a breakdown. For these and other reasons, renting this equipment or hiring a specialized crushing subcontractor may be beneficial. If you employ well-trained team members, buying and maintaining crusher equipment may be no more costly than renting regularly serviced equipment. Employing team members on site could also resolve unexpected problems more quickly than waiting on service from your rental partner.
In many cases, contractors and project managers can pave the way for a more sustainable future by reducing and elimi nating on-site waste through careful orga nization and planning methods. The key to a cleaner and safer worksite is regular inventory checks and reporting. Whether you partner with an expert waste consult ing and management service or keep tabs on the inputs and outputs yourself, con ducting a routine analysis of your opera tions and the waste they produce can help assess how tighter waste management might improve your profit margins. While sites can reduce waste and save up-front with careful inventory management, they can also save on the back end. Recycling can appear more costly than landfills due to the limited facilities and the technology involved in sorting and processing, but there are many factors to keep in mind when it comes to the cost equation:
• How material prices fluctuate based on the economy. If oil prices rise, so does the price of the materials due to the fuel required to pick up and transport them. In times of lower oil prices, transporting recyclables can be more affordable.
• How easily the items can be transported. Cardboard and some metals can be compacted to better fit on trucks before heading to a processing location.
• Metals like steel, brass and copper can be crushed and compacted to make new metal products
E ven with significant recycling efforts, dumpster-loads of landfill waste can be generated by a site daily. According to a study by the Environmental Protection Agency in 2018, the U.S. produced an estimated 600 million tons of construction and demolition debris. Unfortunately, this staggering number continues to rise and could reach 2.2 billion tons by 2025.
Ray Hatch is the president and CEO of Quest Resource Management Group. For more information visit CONC.me/profit What Items Can The Industry Recycle?
KNOWLEDGE & PLANNING CAN SPUR CHANGE
• How the materials are processed. Concrete, steel and glass can be cheaper to recycle because they require less processing and can be recycled repeatedly without losing quality. On the other hand, paper and plastic may run higher in cost because they need special processing, such as removing ink. But no matter what, when you recycle, the costs necessary to transport and process materials support new materials that don’t have to be scrubbed from the Earth. Construction companies, especially during demolition, can receive a rebate for their recycled waste, making it less costly than sending it to a landfill. With a well-run program, you can generate revenue and help offset the cost. When the market is profitable for an item, recyclers may lower the service fees for recycling. Having visibility on reporting and the prices of recyclables could ultimately effectuate a hopeful outcome for recycling that’s more widespread, like government support and a changed public mindset. Cost is the most significant driver of change. Although technological advancements in recycling are impor tant, site management and planning during construction projects are critical. Through proactive planning and routine operations analysis, project managers can avoid buying excess materials or throw ing away valuable items while identifying cost-effective nearby recycling sites.
• Old or unused wood can be used to create furniture, mulch or compost
It’s critical for construction contractors and project participants to take on this challenge by better managing these risks and moving the industry toward a sustainable future. While construction companies keep up with demand in response to the hot housing market and frenzied projects, let’s look at the waste issues at hand and tangible solutions that can help busi nesses maintain economic neutrality.
Adobe Stock 12 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete SPOTLIGHT: SUSTAINABILTY » BY RAY HATCH CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION RECYCLING: How Contractors Can Profit From Sustainable Work
• Concrete and asphalt can be turned into aggregate or new ce ment products
• Cardboard packaging that’s used to house various construction products can also be recycled
Reliable installation. Less torque. Superior holding power. Meet the Titen Turbo™, the next-generation concrete and masonry screw anchor from Simpson Strong-Tie. Its revolutionary Torque Reduction Channel traps dust where it can’t obstruct the thread action, drastically reducing binding, stripping or snapping. For a fast, easy and high-strength fastening solution, try our new Titen Turbo screw anchor. Visit go.strongtie.com/titenturbo or call us at (800) 999-5099 to learn more.
Titen Turbo™ You’ve got to drive it to believe it. ©2022 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. TNT20
14 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete Werk-Brau Pavement Removal Buckets Pavement Removal Buckets are designed to easily wedge under pavement, maximizing the force of the excavator to quickly and easily remove pavement slabs. • C-type profile and inclined sides aid the prying action and expedite removal of broken concrete and pavement slabs • Standard sizes from 18-54 in., fitting all classes and sizes of backhoes and excavators • Special designs and capacities available upon request • T-1 steel used in all critical or high-wear components, bottom wear straps provide extra protection and ribbing on inside bottom prevents denting and reduces wear ForConstructionPros.com/21940363 Caterpillar Primary and Secondary Pulverizers The P318, P324 and P332 rotatable primary pulverizers feature 360° rotation, while the P218, P224 and P232 are fixed secondary models. • Designed to fit 18- to 50-tonne carriers and offer crushing/cutting force from 89 to 153 tons, depending on model • 42.7- to 50.4-in. jaw openings • SpeedBooster technology quickly closes jaw when there is no load and automatically switches to power mode when jaw comes into contact with material • Integral rebar knives shear through pipes, rebar, and other embedded materials • Bolt-on wear components can be quickly replaced in the field • Integrated Cat asset tracking available ForConstructionPros.com/21603266DEWALT60VMAXCordless SDS MAX Chipping Hammers The 60V MAX Cordless SDS MAX chipping hammers deliver precision chipping with seven-position variable speed control and consistent speed under load through built-in constant-speed electronics. • Integrated SHOCKS Active Vibration Control system minimizes vibration felt at the handles • WIRELESS TOOL CONTROL connectivity for remote activation of the available DCV585 60V MAX Dust Extractor • 22-lb. model delivers up to 19.4 joules of impact energy and tackles horizontal and downward chipping • 15-lb. model delivers up to 10.5 joules of impact energy and is highly maneuverable for horizontal chipping ForConstructionPros.com/22093115 DEMOLITION & REMOVAL EQUIPMENT P RO PLUS® St r en gth 1.5 times Stronger 35% greater Compressive Strength 80% greater Flexural Strength 78% greater Tensile Strength PP RO PLUS® W e ight 70% Lighter PP RO PLUS® T h e r mal E x p ansion 1.7 times less PRO NTRENCH-PLUS®DRAINSWhencomparingPRO-PLUS®topolymerconcreteitsstrength,weight,andthermalexpansionisunmatched.OTALLTRENCHD R A IN S A R E C R E ATED E Q UA LLY Lightweight Extremely Strong Shatterproof Easy to handle and install Requires less manpower 800.36.JOSAM | www.josam.com Innovative and Labor Saving SMC/GRP Drainage Channels made from glass fiber reinforced composite.
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 15 For informationmore visit CONC.me/worksite Aquajet Aqua Cutter 750V Hydrodemolition Robot The Aqua Cutter 750V cleans and descales rebar without causing microfracturing. It features Infinity oscillation that moves the water jet in a figure eight pattern, removing more concrete in a single pass while reducing shadowing, eliminating the risk of pipe holes and providing an efficient bonding surface. The next-generation Evolution 3.0 Control System includes the ability to automatically calculate optimal settings for lance motion for greater precision and efficiency. An automatic speedcontrolled throttle adapts engine rpms to the load. Radio remote control allows the operator to stop or start the robot from a safe distance. The unit will also automatically shut down if there is no activity for a certain period of time. ForConstructionPros.com/22005955 Brokk 300 Demolition Machine SmartConceptwith Technology The Brokk 300 includes SmartConcept technology for improved power management, reliability, maintainability and ergonomics. • Three-part arm extends to 21 ft. vertically and 20 ft. horizontally plus rotates 360 degrees • Measures just 47.2-in. wide but can handle larger attachments weighing as much as 1,102 lbs. • SmartDesign extends machine life and provides ease of maintenance due to 70% fewer cables as well as hardened components • SmartRemote remote-control box offers adjustable straps, intuitive controls and professionalgrade radio technology with a working984-ft.range • Includes a BHB 455 hittingjouleswithbreakerhydraulic855ofpower ForConstructionPros.com/22005804 This is the natural habitat for Brokk’s compact giants. With the perfect combination of power, operability and accessibility our demolition robots provide efficient solutions to increase profits. KINDOUR PLAYGROUNDOF Brokk Inc. | Monroe, WA | 1-360-794-1277 | info@brokkinc.com | www.brokk.com
The newly-opened ACI Resource Center – Chicago/Midwest recently hosted over 70 guests during the ACI Illinois Chapter Concrete Mixer. The opening of this facility gives the Institute a brick-and-mortar presence in the Midwest region, provides the ACI Illinois Chapter a convenient and flexible resource for its events, and will provide the industry with expanded opportunities to develop the next generation of concrete professionals.
The classroom space can seat up to 25 individuals and provides the instructor a platform to share knowledge and give hands-on equipment and material demonstrations. It will be used for Technician, Inspection, and Construction Specialist program delivery and for all written examinations. The laboratory space has designated work areas that include all the equipment and materials required for all ACI laboratory and technician certification programs.Themultipurpose space is designed to expand concrete education, promote and serve ACI chapters and sponsoring groups, and support larger industryrelevant events. This area can accommodate up to 75 individuals for a variety of events, including educational seminars, ACI chapter meetings, certification pilot programs, orientation programs for our sponsoring groups, ACI Chapter Roundtables, Certification Summits, regional student competitions, and more.
Education, Training & Certification: ACI's Concrete Resource Centers
Each Resource Center is designed to deliver all certification programs offered by ACI and is fully equipped with a classroom, a laboratory area, and a multipurpose space for industry events.
The Institute’s staff and industry experts are available to lead educational programs that include fundamentals of concrete, advanced concrete mixture design, concrete durability, troubleshooting concrete issues, and specialty concrete, as well as custom seminars. Trainingonly programs are also being offered to anyone new to the industry. Custom private training programs are also available upon request. The ACI staff members directly involved in launching these Centers are pleased to be a part of this important effort. As part of ACI's “always advancing” efforts, these centers help to ensure that ACI remains committed to providing additional opportunities to educate, train, and qualify individuals to support and strengthen the concrete community as well as grow our industry.
William (Rusty) Owings III serves as ACI Resource Center Manager. Michael Morrison, FACI, is ACI Manager, Certification Program Development. For more information visit CONC.me/aci
ACI is meeting industry needs by opening Resource Centers that will expand accessibility to the Institute’s certification and training programs, educational seminars, and custom training. These Resource Centers provide scheduled and on-demand sessions for all 30 programs currently offered, 5 days a week, 52 weeks a year. As of April 2022, two ACI Resource Centers are fully operational and open to the industry. The ACI Resource Center – Southern California, is located in San Bernardino, with four major airports nearby. The ACI Resource Center – Chicago/Midwest, is located in Elk Grove Village, Ill., just minutes from O’Hare Airport. A third location along the East Coast is planned for 2023. A full offering of sessions are scheduled and posted on the ACI website but all programs will also be available on-demand, on weekends, and through appointments on request.
AdobeImagesStock|ByAndyDean 16 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete INSIDE THE ACI » BY WILLIAM OWINGS III, MICHAEL MORRISON
CUSTOM TRAINING & EDUCATION
ACI Certification provides the concrete industry with qualified individuals to ensure concrete construction satisfies project specifications and code requirements. Over 375,000 individuals have successfully earned certifications in the Institute’s introductory program, Concrete Field Testing Technician – Grade I. Since 1983, over 600,000 technicians, inspectors, craftsmen, supervisors, engineers, and design professionals have achieved ACI certification in 30 programs offered across the areas of materials testing, inspection, and specialty construction. ACI chapters and other sponsoring groups have traditionally provided opportunities for certification, from training and review to certification and assessment, and work diligently to assist candidates in meeting the requirements for the chosen program. ACI certifications have nearly doubled in the last decade, both in the number of programs offered as well as in the number of candidates obtaining certifications. With demand for certification continuing to grow and new programs being added, the development of additional delivery methods is critical to meeting these demands and maintaining a qualified workforce in the concrete industry.
Backed by the industry’s best service. Industry-leading pumping pressure. Unparalleled quality. Unrivaled customer service. This is the kind of innovation you’ve come to expect from Blastcrete. The RMX-5000 allows contractors to pump harsh materials and longer distances, and features twice the mixer capacity of competitive machines. All this plus user-friendly features for easy maintenance make the RMX-5000 the most productive — and profitable — mixer-pump on the market. D6536 Concrete Pump Attachment Piccola Rotary Gunite Machine CALL TODAY to learn more ways Blastcrete ingenuity can work for you.Blastcrete .com | 866.899.2418 | International 256.371.4950 RELENTLESS INGENUITY RMX-5000 Concrete Mixer-Pump
Jeff Keeling is Brokk Inc.'s North American sales and marketing manager. Brokk Inc
18 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete SAFETY » BY JEFF KEELING Safety Tips
hether it’s road and bridge repair, interior demolition or any other application that requires crews to dismantle existing construction, creating a culture of safety is vital for protecting workers and maintaining overall efficiency. Like any machine, overall safety depends on operator diligence. Thorough training with equipment experts as well as frequent in-house review of safety procedures are necessary for keeping safety top of mind. Here are five simple safety tips when using remote-controlled demolition equipment.
• Inspect Each Day: Remotecontrolled demolition machines are manufactured to take a beating, but that doesn’t mean operators should forego daily maintenance and inspections. Even slight damage can lead to increased safety risks. Before operation, visually inspect the machine—paying close attention to fluid levels and hoses—and make sure everything is properly lubricated. Always check that the power cable and connector are undamaged before plugging in, as well. For more
• Keep Your Eyes Open: Operators should maintain a clear view of the machine, the power supply and cables and the work area at all times during use. It’s impossible to keep track of everyone on the jobsite, but the operator must take responsibility for keeping site personnel safely out of the risk zone while the remote-controlled demolition machine is in operation. On jobsites crowded with traffic or visual obstacles, it can be difficult for one person to keep track of the risk zone. In these situations, designating a spotter can help.
WDemolitionRemote-ControlledWithMachines
Demolition robots can provide peace of mind for contractors and crews, like any machine, overall safety depends on operator diligence.
koya979/adobestock.com
• Stay at Arm’s Length: When using remote-controlled demolition equipment, the size of the risk zone is based on many factors—such as the work object, work method, surface, position of the arm, angle of machine and operator—and is constantly in flux. Maintain a safe jobsite by keeping everyone outside the robot’s arm’s length while in operation. If the operator or another crew member needs to enter the risk zone, be sure the machine is in emergency stop mode or de-energized and cannot be moved accidentally. Always ensure the machine is off when not in use.
Brokk Inc.
Pecora-Deck 800 & HB1000 traffic coating systems prevent surface degradation caused by traffic abrasion & the destructive forces of the elements by delivering durable protection to wearing surfaces like concrete & plywood. Whether for restoration or new construction, protect your investment with the Pecora-Deck system that fits your project.
• Breathing masks, gas masks or airstream helmets for sites with harmful air
• Safety harnesses and stands when working at height
• Heat shields and appropriate protective clothing for hot environments
• Protect Yourself : It’s no secret, personal protection equipment should be worn at all times. The exact PPE, however, might vary based on the job at hand, and might include:
• Barriers to define risk zone· Safety equipment to secure machine components during repair and Whenservice.itcomes to safe, efficient operation of remote-controlled demolition machines, these tips are the bare minimum. Working with equipment manufacturers for ongoing training is a great way to ensure new and experienced operators are provided the best equipment-specific training. Industryleading OEMs offer a number of training curriculum—including on-site, handson options—making it easy to arrange learning opportunities for fluctuating crews. But perhaps the best way to keep crews safe and prevent problems is also one of the easiest—frequently reviewing safety protocols with team members and keeping eyes and ears open on the jobsite. For more information visit CONC.me/worksite Operators should maintain a clear view of the machine, the power supply and cables and the work area at all times during use. On jobsites crowded with traffic or visual obstacles, designating a spotter can also help increase safety. Brokk Inc.
information on daily maintenance for your machine, consult the operator’s manual or contact the manufacturer.
PECORA DECK COATING SYSTEMS
• Watch for Overhead Dangers: When working or maneuvering in certain conditions, there is an increased risk of falling objects or tipping the machine. To avoid these, be sure that everyone is outside the risk zone; the outriggers are fully deployed and the machine is level; and no one is beneath the work object or a raised arm, even if the machine is off.
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 19
PROTECTION AGAINST THE ELEMENTS
FIND OUT MORE: PECORA.COM
DETERMINE THE CAUSE Ask yourself what’s causing the issue. Before the repair can begin, determine the cause of the problem. “You have to understand what is causing your issue first,” says Jeff Rus sell, regional vice president of sales for QUIKRETE. “Once you know what the cause is, you can then come up with your plan of how you’re going to remedy it.” Should you determine the repair be caused by a larger issue, specialized contractors or engineers might need to be contacted to review the situation. Remember, communication is key— especially with the owner. Whether it is a root system underneath the concrete driveway, natural settling causing a crack, or
A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK: BLOCK
Key Factors of a Successful Concrete Repair Job T here’s an old joke about life having only two constants. For concrete, one could argue that the punchline includes the potential of cracking and that every situation is going to be unique. But despite a proj ect’s differences—large or small—some aspects ring true every time.
ServicesContech Inc. r_tee/Adobe Stock 20 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete COVER STORY » BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI
It’s estimated that the world is placing a New York City's worth of concrete each year. For the concrete that has been and that which has yet to be placed, repairs and restoration will play a significant role. According to a report by Acumen Research and Consulting, the concrete restoration market looks to reach $26,414 million by 2030—a significant value for a specific area of the concrete industry. With major concrete infrastructure projects on the horizon and the everconstant repair jobs happening every day, Concrete Contractor reached out to a few experts on concrete repair. Here are a few vital considerations regardless of whether the issue is structural, the reforming of an edge for a residential concrete step, injecting repair material into a crack, etc.
Reaching out to experts and referring to documents from ACI or ICRI can be a great source of insight. Of course, there’s also the power of networking with your fellow contractors during technical committee meetings or con ventions. But one key tool that’s often overlooked is the camera, says Fuller. Don’t be afraid of sending a few photos or making a video call.
Contech Services Inc.
Contech Services Inc. www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 21
a sinkhole, Dave Fuller, Technical Director, International Concrete Repair Institute (ICRI) likens the issue causing the problem to a disease. “A lot of times we just address the symptoms instead of the disease,” he says. “And you’re not going to uncover the disease until you do some evaluation.” Often, this could include some destructive testing to reach the reinforcement to see if there is any indication of corrosion. Depending on the problem, this investigation can range from straightforward to difficult, timely, and costly. “You have to understand the problem,” emphasizes Pete Barlow, chairman of ACI 546 Repair Committee and vice president of Contech Services Inc. “You can’t effectively repair something if you don’t understand what’s causing the distress.” Consider the concrete’s history and ask about what the concrete has been exposed to. One of the things contractors should try to understand is what exposures and elements has the structure seen in the past, he suggests. “You could have a warehouse facility that’s used to store empty cardboard boxes but five years before it was storing petroleum goods. That helps guide you as to what methodologies you would use to evaluate those surfaces.” Barlow continues. “A visual inspection will tell you that you might see stains from petroleum or some other chemical exposure. You might see spalling where the concrete is broken away, and all of a sudden you see exposed reinforcing steel. And then you might inspect that reinforcing steel to see the level of corrosion from a visual perspective. That can help and guide you as to how much more investigation you would do is to what's causing this spalling or the corrosion of the reinforcing steel.”
Depending on the situation of the repair, contractors have a few options in exposing concrete material underneath and increasing the probability of success. Repair committees are ever active in analyzing current methods to make sure the guidelines are up to date with best practices. For example, while the practice may have acceptable given the situation, Barlow cautions the use of using muriatic acid for prep and cleaning. “[Muriatic acid] has a number of inherent problems,” he says. “By cleaning that surface with an acid, you’re changing the chemistry of the surface of the concrete. It’s also always followed with a final cleaning of that surface because the acid has weakened the matrix or the chemistry of the surface…and you have to have a way of cleaning that. Those final cleaning processes can more often than not be the primary cleaning method.” Before anything happens, contrac tors need to ensure that the repair material will be able to be bonded to the structure and stay bonded for the lifecycle of the product. Conducting a scratch test to determine the hardness of the concrete can help make the right choice in which preparation technique/ method to use. “Contractors shouldn’t solely rely on a consultant doing that because those are things that [a contrac tor] can do so they better know how to approach the project,” says Barlow. A rough/angular surface cleaned of debris that should give you an edge in the concrete to allow the repair material to connect. “Any dirt, paint, or oil will be a bond breaker,” says Russell. “You want to remove all loose concrete, deteriorated concrete that’s lost its strength and other physical properties,” Fuller adds. “You want to make sure that you have that texture that creates a tooth for that repair to bond to. If you don’t do the right surface prep, that repair will loosen up.”
With 30 years as a technical rep in the industry before joining ICRI, Fuller was one of the specialists that came out to help troubleshoot why repairs were failing. The majority of the time, he says, the situation was related to surface preparation.KimBasham, Ph.D. PE FACI president of KB Engineering LLC, shares a similar experience. “One of the most critical items for any repair is surface preparation—the key to a quality, long-lasting repair regardless of the repair material being used.”
The challenge is to not damage any more concrete, or reinforcement if present, than necessary. For example, although designed for road and bridge renovation and repair, the figure-eight
SURFACE PREPARATION
Contech Services Inc. 22 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete COVER STORY CONTINUED Only after evaluation and getting a better idea of the problem at hand can you then make a more educated deci sion on the—right—repair material.
Whether you’re repairing a hair crack on a vertical or horizontal surface or even overhead, prep work is the first thing a contractor must get right.
Dedicated to this very topic, the ICRI 310 committee meets numerous times a year to discuss new technologies, tools, and the latest methods. It’s updated every 10 years. ICRI has 11 technical committees covering everything from materials, and methods, to safety. “New materials are coming into the marketplace every day, we want to make sure that we’re providing the industry proper guidelines to use those materials and how to specify them,” says Fuller. ICRI documents are available on their website for free to members. Likewise, there are resources available through the ACI like training videos, technical documents, and repair application procedure (RAP) documents—many of which are free or at a minimal cost. Written and designed for the prep guys in the field, Barlow explains that they are an excellent source for training. Many are translated into Spanish.
• PPE: Last but not least. Gloves, safety goggles, helmet, ear protection, etc.
• A hand broom: Make sure that the surface finish of the repair will match the surface of the original concrete. For example, if you’re doing a small patch on a driveway or patio with a broom finish, make sure that you put a similar-looking finish on the patch.
• Breaker, hammer, or drill with appropriate concrete bits
MATERIAL CHOICE Where surface prep was one of the most common reasons a repair would fail using the wrong material would likely follow not far behind. “Make sure that it’s the right material for the right proj ect,” says Fuller. "There are some basic steps that [contractors] can do to ensure that the repair has the best chance of achieving the service life for what it was designed for.” He suggests connecting with the manufacturer for expert insight into the use of the product. ICRI has created a flowchart to help the process. Concrete mix manufacturers produce and label their products to match the situation and ease any confusion about which repair material to use for the project at hand. Consider the geometry and structural requirements. Readymix manufacturers like QUIKRETE, Sika, Master Builders, MAPEI, and more provide a range of repair products from waterproofing materials, vertical, overhead, repair motors, heavy-duty, rapid or fast setting, commercial-grade, sculptable products a contractor can form into place, and more. Consider the setting time of the repair material and when the owner needs the area accessible again. One of the most common questions QUIKRETE receives is “how quickly can I get back on this.” Repair materials can range from a fast cure allowing car traffic on them within three hours where others can be 24 or up to four days. However, many specialty restoration products are typically within the 24-hour timeframe.
• A good set of hand trowels: Contractors should have two or three different types of floats and trowels for a com mon repair job. Bring along a finishing trowel, margin trowel, a pointed trowel and a con crete boom for texturing.
• A caulk gun: Contractors may run into a ceiling repair or need an advanced polymer product to repair cracks.
• A wire brush: Self-explanatory, really. A wire brush should help with the removal of debris and allow the repair material to better bond to the original concrete.
• Concrete saw and blades
Bagged concrete mix manufacturers design their repair products with safety
• A paddle mixer (with a drill and 5-gal. bucket): For smaller proj ects, contractors can mix the material in small batches.
• Pressure washer: Experts sug gest this as a must-have if you are doing a lot of concrete res toration work to clean out the repair area. Make sure it will be able to reach the needed PSI. Renting may be an eco nomical option.
• A level: Experts suggest includ ing a long level in your repair project kit. And we’re not talk ing short here – grab a 42-in. level if you’re doing any type of large pour to make sure as much of the slab is level.
24 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete COVER STORY CONTINUED pattern of Aquajet’s Aqua Cutter 750V allows the highly pressurized water to reach the concrete below and to the side of reinforcement reducing the shadow ing effect. However, one easy mistake contractors could make is not removing enough concrete or removing the cor rosion off of the steel in the first place. Spend the time to adequately and suf ficiently remove the concrete in the area of deterioration, says Barlow. “In some instances, you’ll have to cut the concrete and jackhammer it out, depending on the problem,” notes Russell. While each situation may be different, the prep work is key. If not done properly, the repair won’t hold and may fail in time. One key can be to conduct a pull-off test or mock-up on-site to ensure the repair material will be able to bond to the existing concrete. This test includes gluing a metal dolly onto the surface of the repair, letting it cure, and using an instrument to pull and determine the failure psi point. A higher psi could indicate that the repair will last.
KEY TOOLS YOU NEED Find our specification guide for concrete saws on page 41. Milwaukee Tool Corp.
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 25 regulations in mind such as removing silica out of their materials and mak ing them easier to mix. Mixing is an important aspect if a repair will last or not. Fuller and ICRI are seeing more pre-packaged materials with additives already inside. For thicker projects, rein forcement can help eliminate issues like crumbling or cracking, QUIKRETE provides products that include fibers, polymers, and/or admixtures to help resist cracking by giving the material some flexural strength and flexibility. Basham suggests a prebagged shrinkcompensated material but to avoid feather edging: “It will always flake off,” he says. “Opt to undercut the repair area by saw cutting into the concrete by about five degrees to avoid a gap.” This undercut will mechanically lock the repair to the existing concrete where a cut straight down would likely result in aHegap.also notes to ensure that the concrete repair material's color and texture will match the surrounding concrete. Also, the curing of concrete repairs is important for strength gain but also to reduce the potential for earlyageTheshrinkage.ACIUniversity made available a Repair Application Procedures (RAP) certificate program consisting of courses on the repair of cracking and spalling, reinforcement protection, as well as surface repair. Interested persons need to purchase the package or be ACI members. Clair Hiltz, director of professional development at ACI writes more about the program at "Concrete Repair Training & Online Certification."Ultimately, it’s education, sharing the knowledge, and training that will make sure a repair will last. “We have a younger workforce,” says Fuller. “People are coming in that haven’t been in the concrete industry. We have to make sure that the people with the tools in their hands are getting trained. Make sure the people doing the work are trained, that they know what to look for, and when to stay stop and get somebody else involved.”
For more information visit CONC.me/repair
1. ICRI 310.2R Selecting and Specifying Con crete Surface Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, Polymer Overlays, and Concrete Repair
RESOURCES
2. ICRI 320.1R Guideline for Selecting Appli cation Methods for the Repair of Concrete Surfaces
4. ACI PRC-546 Guide to Concrete Repair
3. ICRI 320.2R Guide for Selecting and Specify ing Materials for Repair of Concrete Surfaces
W ith the inevitability of cracking and other unforeseen issues that can occur, concrete repair and restoration is an inevitable part of the job. There are critical elements in any repair job that need to be done right for the repair to be successful. Knowing what to do and how to do it starts by asking the right questions. Concrete Contractor reached out to a few concrete experts to share their best advice for concrete repair. JEFF RUSSELL, REGIONAL VP, THE QUIKRETE COMPANIES “Make sure you do the prep work properly. Usually, the prep work is the hardest part. Prepping the surface area that you’re going to be repairing/ restoring is key because if you don’t prep it right prior to placing the repair material it may not stick and could pop off or Gocrack.bythe manufacturer's direction whenever you’re mixing the repair material. Follow the directions to the T. We as the manufacturer went through every type of testing and scenario, like adding too much water or not enough water, to know how the material should be used most effectively. Make sure you have the proper equipment and the right product to do the job. Don’t use the product you have on hand for convenience. Concrete typically shrinks, there are products that we make that are non-shrinking or expanding. So, if you're trying to Jeff Russell, Vice President of Sales for Southeast and Florida, The QUIKRETE Companies
Adobe Stock Images | By Photo Gallery 26 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete CONCRETE REPAIR » BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI
3Concrete Repair Experts Share Their Advice
DAVE FULLER, TECHNICAL DIRECTOR, INTERNATIONAL CONCRETE REPAIR INSTITUTE “Educate yourself. I was in the flooring and coatings industry for 10-15 years and then I came into what was BASF. I went to their concrete one-on-one training, and even though I had been coding concrete for most of my career, I couldn’t believe what I didn’t know. I asked myself, ‘Why haven’t I taken a course like this before?’ There’s so much out there now. There’s training in organizations like ICRI and ACI. And a lot of it is free. Before you can repair concrete, you have to understand concrete. You have to understand what goes into concrete, why it behaves the way it does, why does it crack in this area and not that, why use reinforcement in the first place, and why reinforcement can be detrimental because of corrosion. You have to understand all that before you can understand why we do certain things in the repair industry. Don’t just jump headfirst into concrete repair; jump headfirst into concrete. Second, don’t just look at the symptoms. You have to find out why your concrete is deteriorating and then you can come up with a solution."
Dave Fuller, Technical Director, International Concrete Repair Institute International Concrete Repair Institute
“The most important thing is to try to understand what the problem is and is there a problem. A project with a broken posted tensioning cable may or may not need repair. There could be enough redundancy in the design that losing one cable doesn't matter. But that's an engineer’s call and not typically a contractor’s call. Maybe you don't really have a problem. It's a decision that should be made collaboratively between the consultant, a contractor, and the owner—the owner is ultimately going to pay for the repair.
28 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete CONCRETE REPAIR CONTINUED anchor something in concrete, you want [the repair product] to expand so it fills the void and locks the product in place.”
PETE BARLOW, CHAIRMAN OF ACI 546 REPAIR COMMITTEE, VP OF CONTECH SERVICES INC.
Distributed by: Brokk Inc. | Monroe, WA | 1-360-794-1277 | info@brokkinc.com | www.brokk.com
For more information visit CONC.me/repairPete Barlow, Vice President, Contech Services Inc. Contech Services Inc.
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 29
Early in my career, we did a job and there was a failure of the repair and I was disappointed in our work. The consultant that brought us in was understanding and said to me ‘it's not the fact that you have a problem, it's how you repair the problem or how you take care of the problem.’ I think that's a lesson in life that goes beyond concrete repair. As a specialty contractor for 40-plus years, I experienced many times when general contractors said, 'We can do this work.' It's not that they were not capable of doing good construction work, but they're not typically experienced with the intricacies that are required in specialty concrete repair work. Not unlike a specialty concrete contractor deciding that he's going to build a building. They're thinking 'I am a licensed contractor, so why can't I build a building?' In many cases they have the license that says they can but they're getting over their skis a long ways. Understanding what you're getting yourself into; understanding the prob lem, not just what's caused the deteriora tion or the damage to the concrete. A part of the problem is also knowing the environment in which you'll be working and the time of year that you're going to be doing the work. Understand the type of owner or general contractor you're working for and the constraints that they may place on you to get the work done. It's understanding the weather, understanding the environment, and who you're working with.
/adobestockZelma
Saying no at the right times is as important as saying yes.”
MCI-2039 is a convenient way to add corrosion protection directly into the repair process. Combined with the entire MCI HPRS, it is a powerful antidote to corrosion decay.
• Superior adhesion to multiple surfaces
30 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete
MCI-2039 Horizontal Repair Mortar by Cortec MCI-2039 is a single-component, fast-setting, highstrength, cement-based repair mortar enhanced with migrating corrosion inhibitors (MCI). Once applied and hardened, MCI-2039 provides a high level of adhesion and durability, as well as resistance to water and carbonation attack. High early strength allows for fast repairs and quick return of traffic. MCI-2039 can be applied indoors or outdoors in a wide temperature range, from 20-100° F. The mortar can be extended up to 60% by weight for repairs greater than 2-in. deep.
The Sakrete Pro-Mix Concrete Mix Line Delivering high strength and an accelerated set time, Sakrete's Pro-Mix line of industrial-strength, fast-setting concrete mixes allows most projects to be traffic-ready in less than an hour, perfect for repairs to utility cuts, parking lots, roads, bridges and overpasses and more. In addition to incredible speed, Pro-Mix is engineered to deliver extended working time, solving the major challenge with other fast-setting repaid mixes.
REPAIR PRODUCTS
Pro-Mix Accelerated Concrete Mix: Ideal for repairs of concrete over 2-in. thick, Sakrete’s Pro-Mix Accelerated Concrete Mix is the ultimate pre-blended concrete solution for indoor and outdoor applications where rapid return to service is crucial. The mix is specially formulated for quick turnaround times with excellent workability and a first-class finish for building and repairing driveways, sidewalks, formwork, warehouse floors, footings, post setting and more. Full-depth repairs and DOT applications can achieve a drivable surface with a compressive strength greater than 3,000 psi in just one hour, with a final strength of over 7,000 psi. Pro-Mix Concrete Repair: For repairs from 1/4 to 6-in. thick, Sakrete’s ProMix Concrete Repair was designed for horizontal, vertical and even overhead repairs. Pro-Mix Concrete Repair is polymer-modified for bond strength, smooth workability and can be easily molded to conform to irregular surfaces and odd shapes. Perfect for beams, columns, deep scarring in walls and more, the high-strength, fast-setting mix offers strength of more than 3,000 psi in just 1 hour and more than 7,000 psi at 28 days.
Coatings for Industry Inc.’s WearCOAT 474 Flexible Epoxy Coating is a two-part system designed to bridge small cracks in concrete slabs. It also functions as a waterproofing membrane to seal floors and help prevent leaks below the substrate. Combining flexibility and durability, WearCOAT 474 is capable of 85% elongation, about 30x greater than typical epoxy coatings. The dent in the test panel demonstrates the coating’s flexibility without cracking. The product creates a membrane that can span small cracks and imperfections in the concrete slab while also working as a sealer. The coating’s protective qualities can be enhanced by adding fiberglass reinforcement. WearCOAT 474 is formulated to flex under the pressure of loads from heavy equipment and temperature cycles that can cause substrate movement. It will maintain a smooth, even surface on heavily trafficked floors, such as distribution centers and parking facilities. WearCOAT 474 is formulated to be used on top of a primer, and can be used as either a mid-coat or the final coat. This two-part product is available in 1- and 5-gallon kits, and can be specified in clear as well as in CFI’s standard, optional and custom colors.
ForConstructionPros.com/21220221
For repairing forklift and off-road tires and repairing cracks and joints in concrete, Wear-Flex is a selfmixing urethane repair compound that forms a flexible bond on a variety of materials. It’s designed for applications that involve vibration or expansion/ contraction movement. WearFlex adheres to rubber, ABS, concrete, urethane, steel, wood, ceramics, glass, nylon, composites and masonry. It’s available in self-leveling and non-sag formulas for horizontal and vertical applications.
ForConstructionPros.com/22236606
RepairFlexForConstructionPros.com/21821354LawsonProductsWear-HighStrengthRapidCompound
• Forms a flexible bond that withstands chemicals, grease, oil, and water
For informationmore visit CONC.me/repair Crafco HP Concrete Cold Patch Crafco HP Concrete Cold Patch is a fast, flexible concrete repair solution for when you need to get the job done quick. This convenient, premixed patching compound can be used in all climates and weather conditions and its quality formula ensures performance for years.
• Applications include conveyor repair, urethane bushings, bellows, bumpers and tire chocks, concrete seam repair, crack repair in high vibration areas
ForConstructionPros.com/21747260WearCOAT474Epoxy
Crack Repair Coating
Pro-Mix All Purpose Cement Mix: Tackling repairs to spalled concrete surfaces, smoothing pop outs and replacing chipped corners. Sakrete’s Pro-Mix All Purpose Cement was created for surface repairs that require a feather edge or larger repairs down to 4-in. deep. The cement features a shrink compensating mix and enhanced crack resistance for long-lasting horizontal, vertical and overhead repairs. The mix develops strength greater than 3,000 psi at 1 hour and 9,000 psi after 28 days.
• Remains flexible at low temperatures
• Short cure time for fast repairs
ForConstructionPros.com/22288811
© 2022 Caterpillar. All Rights Reserved. CAT, CATERPILLAR, LET’S DO THE WORK, their respective logos,“Caterpillar Corporate Yellow,” the “Power Edge” and Cat “Modern Hex” trade dress, as well as corporate and product identity used herein, are trademarks of Caterpillar and may not be used without permission. www.cat.com / www.caterpillar.com Foley, Incorporated 732-885-5555DelawarePennsylvania,Servingwww.foleyinc.comNewJersey,easternnorthernandStatenIsland SINCE 1957 H.O. Penn Machinery 844-CAT-1923southernServingwww.hopenn.comConnecticutandNewYork Since 1923 SINCE 1923 Milton CAT Servingwww.miltoncat.comMassachusetts, Maine, New Hampshire, Vermont, Rhode Island, and Upstate New York 888-347-3449 SINCE 1960 NECatDealers.com/minihex ASK ABOUT OUR MEMBERSHIP DISCOUNTS POWER AND PERFORMANCE WITH INDUSTRY EXCLUSIVES NEXT GEN 304 & 305 CR MINI EXCAVATORS 53 CONV SH.O.PENN FOLEY,INC.CLEVELANDBROTHERSMILTONCAT MILTONCAT » SEALED AND PRESSURIZED CAB WITH AC » OVERHEAD FRONT WINDOW STORAGE » STICK STEER AND CRUISE CONTROL » BLUETOOTH WITH HANDS-FREE CALLING To learn more on the new Next Gen Mini Excavators, contact your Northeast Cat Dealer or visit www.NECatDealers.com/minihex
32 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete FLOOR COATING SYSTEMS & POLISHED CONCRETE » BY ROY CANNON, TANZIN FATIMA
Unless you’re working with ideal conditions, moisture content in concrete will likely be an issue. It’s important to understand what’s happening below the surface. F rom earlier use in the Great Pyramids at Giza and the Great Wall of China to modern 3D printed buildings, concrete is currently being utilized due to its longevity, versatility, strength, durability, in-service energy efficiency, resilience, and economical benefits compared to other masonry composites and/or building materials. However, concrete is not maintenance-free.Moistureisone of the major concrete system enemies. Water, the lifeblood of concrete is its best friend and worst enemy. Moisture sources and its presence in concrete systems could be both external and internal. Since internal sources of moisture in concrete structures mostly lead to ultimate coating failures, including during application and long-term durability, the goal is to concentrate on the latter (internal) water source.
PROBLEMS & CHALLENGES OF INTERNAL CONCRETE MOISTURE Modern concrete is a product of a chemical reaction between mixtures of cement binder, water, sand aggregate, and various additives. While water is a necessary and critical component in concrete mix formulas and is needed to ensure strength and durability, inaccurate water concentrations may be the source of poor concrete performance. A higher water-cement ratio (increase in the water content in concrete) tends to make weaker, more permeable, and less durable finished concrete structures.
What WhyConcreteContentMoistureIsin&It
The second influence of internal concrete moisture is associated with the curing process and the speed of drying at the concrete surface. Excessive water evaporation at the concrete surface can lead to some significant problems in the application of coatings, including adhesive failure, blistering, discoloration, bubbles/pop-outs, cracks, delamination, efflorescence, mildew/ mold development, etc. These are the results of a water-starved concrete surface reaction leading to weak and substandard surface cures.
The infiltration and absorption of water into concrete coupled with freezethaw cycling and associated expansion with internal ice formation will lead to the creation of cracks, corrosion of internal steel, and disintegration in concrete structures. Moisture vapor Adobe Stock Images | By Piotr
MATTERS
4. Josephsen, Jack. EPOXY TROUBLESHOOT ING - HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE AND MOISTURE TOLERANCE. Epoxyschool. 2010. Retrieved from pressure-and-moisture-tolerance/.com/blog/epoxy-troubleshooting-hydrostatic-www.epoxyschool. Adobe Stock Images By Iryna conditions for concrete ”
A term used to inadvertently describe a very rare concrete moisture problem is “hydrostatic pressure”—a fluid exerted pressure caused due to the force of gravity at equilibrium at a given point within the fluid. Due to the increasing weight of fluid exerting downward force from above or the process of water being pushed through the below-grade concrete slab, hydrostatic pressure increases in proportion to depth measured from the surface. Hydrostatic pressure can result in humidity and water leaks leading to ultimate coating failure (Kater, 2020).
REFERENCES 1. Craig, Peter. Moisture Mitigation for Concrete Slabs. Concrete International. 2003. Retrieved from for-concrete-slabs.pdf.uploads/2/7/4/8/2748193/moisture-mitigation-floorworks3.com/
Tanzin Fatima is a Technical Service Representative and Document Editor at Pecora Corporation. Scan here downloadtothe FREE whitepaper “Moisture in Concrete: An Essential Guide to Protect Concrete Structures.” CONC.me/moistureguide
thatconcreteapplicationscoatingwouldrequireplacing(with0.45-0.50water/cementratio)onatruevaporbarrierthatcuresin3-7daysusingamethodretainsoriginalwaterpercentagewithoutaddingadditionalwaterfromexternal/internalsources.
2. Sicilia, Pat. Science Behind It: Understanding Moisture Vapor Transmission and Moisture Mitigation. CoatingsPro Magazine. 2014. Retrieved from transmission-and-moisture-mitigation.behind-it-understanding-moisture-vapor-articles/concrete-coatings/2014/09/science-www.coatingspromag.com/
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 33 migrating through the slabs can also cause “efflorescence” or powdery crystalline deposit of salts on unsealed concrete.Idealconditions for concrete coating applications would require placing concrete (with 0.45-0.50 water/cement ratio) on a true vapor barrier that cures in 3-7 days using a method that retains original water percentage without adding additional water from external/ internal sources. However, the chance of all these conditions being met is highly unlikely in most construction projects (Craig, 2003).
Roy Cannon is the Director of Construction Materials Technology at Pecora Corporation, providing strategic and tactical oversight for overall corporate construction materials technology.
However, hydrostatic pressure and coating moisture tolerance are two separate effects of water on a coating system. Simply put, moisture tolerant products do not rely on atmospheric moisture/ humidity during the application process (do not react poorly to moisture during application). On the other hand, hydrostatic pres sure is a strong destructive force related to effects on the coating after applica tion and curing, that can cause coating failure/ delamination through the mois ture/ water vapor movement in the slab, typically by a moisture source located in the bottom of the slab. This migration of moisture may cause blow-offs or blis ters on low moisture vapor permeable membrane surfaces by being trapped beneath an impermeable film on the surface (Josephsen, 2010).
3. Kater, Kelly. WHAT IS HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO HOMEOWNERS? ACCU LEVEL. 2020. Retrieved from hydrostatic-pressure-for-homeowners/.acculevel.com/
“ Ideal
UNDER PRESSURE
Moisture content in concrete is all about water and pressure. The appropriate amount of water is needed to avoid excess pressure that may force any unreacted moisture to the surface of concrete and create a non-conductive substrate condition ultimately leading to coating adhesion failure. It may take up to several weeks for concrete to cure depending on the thickness and environmental conditions (humidity, ambient temperature, etc.). The concrete continues to dry through moisture vapor transmission over time by drawing moisture up through capillary action to the slab surface (Sicilia, 2014).
consultAlwaysyourmachine'soperator’smanualfordetailsonthespecificsurfacegrinderbeingused.GeneralEquipmentCompanyGeneralEquipmentCompany 34 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete FLOOR COATING SYSTEMS & POLISHED CONCRETE » BY DENNIS VON RUDEN
1. SILICON GRINDINGCARBIDESTONES
Basic Guidelines on Choosing the Right Surface Grinder Attachment
Silicon carbide grinding stones are easyto-use and cost-effective to prepare the surface for various coatings, ranging from 6 to 120-grit. Six- and 10-grit stones provide maximum material removal rates— perfect for removing trowel marks, high spots and rough sections on concrete surfaces. 24-grit stones have a lower removal rate but provide a finer finish when grinding concrete. They can also be used for rough grinding on terrazzo and other types of stone floors. 80- and 120-grit are great for polishing concrete but can also be used for medium grind ing on terrazzo and other stone floors when used with a water slurry/mixture. Six-grit stones may last 4-10 hours, while 120-grit stones may last up to 75 hours. Although these attachments work very well for surface preparation, they should not be used to remove existing coatings from concrete. The pores clog with material quickly, rendering them ineffective in short order.
S urface grinders are versatile tools, able to tackle projects like surface preparation, coatings removal, and polishing concrete. But they do require different types of attachments depending on the job. Some attachments are specialized for a single specific use, while others can work for multiple concrete applications. Unfortunately, it is not always obvious to determine the best-performing attachment for a particular jobsite.
2. TUNGSTEN ATTACHMENTSCARBIDE
4. ANGLED TUNGSTEN CARBIDE INSERTS
Scarifier attachments feature flails and spacer washers in a steel case. Different types create a variety of results, so consider the type and amount of material to be removed from the work surface, purchase cost versus service life, and the surface finish and texture. The star flail is made of high-carbon hardened steel and are a solid, low-cost solution for light cleaning or scarifying, as they create a fine surface texture. Beam flails are shaped differently for other applications. These are often recommended for medium-duty con crete and asphalt scarifying, descaling steel decks, removing thick material build-ups of grease, paint, oil, vegetable powders and some resins from floors, or removing carpet and tile adhesive that is dried and fully cured. Beam flails leave a fairly smooth finish. Pentagonal flails are designed for more aggressive and rapid removal of a surface than a beam flail can achieve. They create a rather coarse surface texture, making them more suitable for heavy-duty concrete and asphalt scarifying, as well as heavyduty descaling of steel decks.
Designed for floor coating removal, tungsten carbide inserts are set at a precise angle to create effective scraping action. Productivity rates depend on the tensile strength and thickness of the material being removed. Rule of thumb: if the coating is thick enough to cut or pry away with a knife, then use tungstenMaterialscarbide.such as adhe sives, rubber deposits and mastics have a tendency to extrude or smear rather than shear off from the concrete surface, especially in high ambient temperatures. This can be eased by adding either water or a mix ture of sand and water.
5. DIAMOND SYSTEMS
Attachments that utilize diamonds offer superior longevity and production rates for surface grinding and coatings
Tungsten carbide grinding attachments are used mostly on large concrete grinding projects where increased production and service life are needed, as these attachments are considerably more aggressive than a course 10-grit silicone carbide grinding stone. Tungsten carbide has a much longer service life as well. In fact, normal life expectancy for this accessory can approach several hundred hours.
3. SCARIFIER ATTACHMENTS
consult the operator’s manual for details on the specific surface grinder being used. For additional assistance, check with the manufacturer or your local dis tributor or rental center. Dennis Von Ruden is President of General Equipment Company. For more information visit CONC.me/surfaceprep
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 35
GOT CPM-8HAZARDS?TRIP CRETE-PLANER® Milling Machine Available in Gas, Electric, and Propane CPM-8 + VAC 200 + GENERATOR = PROBLEM SOLVED! VAC 200 removal applications. Contrary to tung sten carbide systems being most appro priate for removing thicker coatings, diamond systems are best for removing thin coatings no greater than 1/16 in. There are a few types of diamond systems available. Multi-segmented dry diamond discs are designed to operate dry but can also be used with water. These fasten directly to the surface grinder’s gimbal head to provide very fast concrete removal rates. Diamond segment attachments deliver up to five times greater produc tivity rates than silicon carbide stones, while having a service life up to 15 times longer. Because diamonds have an anti-clogging characteristic, they are an ideal choice for removing epoxies, paints and many thin film coatings, as well as large concrete removal projects. They are also an excellent choice for prepping and smoothing, readying the surface for a topcoat, or polishing. A PCD (polycrystalline diamond) tooling is comprised of a diamond grit fused together with a catalytic metal. These attachments are recommended for coveringglues,thin-to-mediumremovingmastics,materials and cement levelers from concrete surfaces. Sacrificial segments allow aggressive removal rates by the attachment’s PCD inserts while also acting as a stabilizer/ depth guide to minimize the potential for surface damage. It’s important to know how diamond systems are constructed to choose the best for a particular application. The diamonds are embedded in a matrix. During use, the matrix wears away to expose the diamonds. The bond hard ness of this matrix varies from one diamond system to another. Ideally, choose a hard bond when grinding soft materials and a soft bond when grind ing hard materials, as softer materials wear diamonds more quickly. These attachments come at a premi um price when compared with silicone carbide grinding stones, but also provide much higher productivity and service life. It comes down to how often a con tractor will be using the grinder. If it’s a one-off job, then going with the cheaper, short lifespan grinding stones may be the smarter choice. But for a regular duty machine, diamonds can be much more cost effective in the long run. To maximize productivity, be sure to replace or rotate attachments as neces sary. If required, contact the equipment manufacturer to determine the life expectancy of each attachment. Always
36 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete SPECIFICATIONCONCRETEGUIDE:VIBRATORS Company,NameProduct Dimensions Weight Vibration Range Power Source Shaft Length Range Head Diameter Range Head Configuration & Material Allen Engineering, BP50 VibratorBackpack 40 lbs. 11,000-12,000 rpm Gas, Honda GHX50, 2.5 hp 2-21 ft. 1 in. and 2 3/4 in. Round, Steel or Rubber Allen Engineer ing, PVP35 Power Vibe Pro 15 lbs. 9,000 rpm Gas, Honda GHX50, 1.5 hp 2-10 ft. 1 in. and 2 in. Round Denver GBPH25Concrete, 29 lbs. 12,000 rpm Gas, 2.5 hp 5-20 ft. (6-62 lbs.) 13/16, 1 1/4, 1 1/2, 1 3/4, 2, and 2 1/2 in. Round Milwaukee Tool, MX FUEL™ Back pack VibratorConcrete 12.6 x 12.4 x 26.5 in. 34.5 lbs. Over 11,000 vpm MX REDLITHIUM™FUEL™battery Up to 21 ft. Up to 2 1/2 in. Round, Metal Milwaukee Tool, MX ConcreteFUEL™Vibrator 13 x 9.9 x 9.5 in. 23 lbs. Over 11,000 vpm MX REDLITHIUM™FUEL™battery Up to 21 ft. Up to 2 1/2 in. Round, Metal Milwaukee Tool, M18 VibratorConcreteFUEL™Pencil 57 x 3.25 x 6.5 in. 8.8 lbs. 12,500 vpm M18 REDLITHIUM™FUEL™battery 4 ft. 1 in. Square, Metal Minnich 50 CC Backpack Con crete Vibrator 17 x 10 x 24 in. 20.5 lbs 5,000-9,500 vpm Honda 2.0 hp GX50 Mini-4 Stroke gas engine 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 ft. core and casing 3/4 to 2 1/2 in. Round, Steel & Epoxy Coated Minnich Stinger Flex MotorConcreteShaftVibrator 14.5 x 7.5 x 7.5 in. 14.5 lbs 11,000-13,000 rpm Electric 2.5 hp; 115V and 230V 2, 5, 7, 10, 14, and 21 ft. core and casing 3/4, 1, 1 3/8, 1 3/4, 2, and 2 1/2 in. Round, Steel & Epoxy Coated ConcretePro 1.5+Industries,NorthrockElectricVibrator 13.5 x 8.5 x 10 in. 17 lbs. 10,000-12,000 vpm 115v Electric Motor, 1.5, 2, and 3 hp 2-30 ft. but can be connected up to 60 ft. 3/4 to 2 1/2 in. Round, Steel & Urethane Coated Industries,Northrock Pro 2+ Electric VibratorConcrete 13.5 x 8.5 x 10 in. 19 lbs. 10,000-12,000 vpm 115v Electric Motor, 1.5, 2, and 3 hp 2-30 ft. but can be connected up to 60 ft. 3/4 to 2 1/2 in. Round, Steel, also available in CoatedUrethane Industries,Northrock Pro 3+ Electric VibratorConcrete 13.5 x 8.5 x 10 in. 25 lbs. 10,000-12,000 vpm 115v Electric Motor, 1.5, 2, and 3 hp 2-30 ft. but can be connected up to 60 ft. 3/4 to 2 1/2 in. Round, Steel, also available in CoatedUrethane Oztec Industries, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.2 oz. MotorsElectric 12, 16, 17, and 22 lbs. 12,000 vpm Electric, 1.25, 1.75, 2.25, and 3.25 hp 2-21 ft. (2-21 lbs.) 3/4 to 2 3/4 in. Round RubberHeador® Oztec VibratorBP-50aIndustries,Backpack
15 x 18 x 23 in. 29 lbs. 12,000 vpm Gas, 2.5 hp 7-21 ft. (8-21 lbs.) 3/4 to 2 1/2 in. Round RubberHeador® Oztec RubberHeadIndustries,® 1 1/8, 1 1/2, 1 7/8, 2 1/2, 2 3/4 in., and 2 3/4 in. Short 1/75, 4, 4.75, 8, 10 lbs., and 6 lbs. Short 12,000 vpm Gas or Electric 2-21 ft. (2-21 lbs.) 1 1/8 to 2 3/4 in. RubberHead® For more information visit CONC.me/vibrating
ALL MX FUEL™ BATTERIES FIT ALL MX FUEL™ EQUIPMENT LEARN MORE EQUIPMENTSYSTEM TM TM NEW MX FUEL™ Backpack Concrete Vibrator Kit MXF371-2XC
38 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete CONCRETE DRILLS » BY AMY WUNDERLIN
“The perception in the industry is that a product with carbide on it is a better-performing product. For example, when you consider a circular saw blade with standard steel teeth versus a blade with carbide teeth, performance goes up dramatically with the carbide blade. The same goes for other cutting accessories: oscillating blades, jig saw blades and reciprocating saw blades. In the concrete industry, carbide is the standard for drilling holes in concrete and masonry because the material offers the robustness to last for a long period of time. Carbide has become a broad term in the industry, but users know that not all carbide is the same. Users may not know the why of carbide differentiators, but they know the results. Carbide is different from the steel that makes up the rest of the drill bit. Whether it’s a standard concrete drill bit that goes into a three-jaw chuck tool or an SDS-plus bit or SDS-max bit, the shank is a solid-body piece of steel that’s fluted to ensure material removal. At the tip of that drill bit, the contact point with the work, is some form for carbide.”
arbide is one of the most impor tant materials in concrete drill ing. It’s a tough, long-lasting material that’s well-known as premium for precision drilling. But there’s a little more to employing carbide in concrete applications than placing it on the end of a drill bit. Bosch Group Manager Tom Grego offers his insight into use, application, and best-practice for carbide in drilling applications.
Full-head carbide is not notched pieces set into the steel shaft, but a 100% carbide tip that’s interwoven with the steel to create a stronger bond. This is the most robust, longest-lasting design when drilling into hard aggregate or concrete with rebar. There’s a visual dif ference between the three options.”
What can you say about the various bit designs that incorporate carbide? “The most common design in concrete drill bits is the two-cutter, although most users wouldn’t refer to it that way. They just know the bit by the two cutting edges on the end of the bit tip. The standard manufacturing process is milling out the steel at the end and attaching a carbide chip, with two edges, using a welding or braising process that connects the carbide to the steel. This is a process known in the concrete industry as embedded carbide. The next iteration of concrete bit design is the four cutter. In this design, two additional notches are made in the steel on either side of the original carbide chip. New designs have one piece of carbide notched into the steel bit in the shape of the four-cutter. Users may not understand the intricacies of two-cutter versus four-cutter design, but they do know that more carbide at the end of the bit represents a better, longerlasting concrete drill bit.
What drives the acceptance of car bide in concrete applications?
How does the user know what grade of carbide they’re using? “Sub-par carbide breaks apart and can be brittle. Poor carbide can chip, or if the welding or braising process is poor, the entire bit head can break, pop or twist off. Users can see the difference in performance. Also, every design in concrete drilling has its weak points. The two-cutter design is fast in concrete drilling, but it doesn’t withstand hitting rebar well. The four-cut ter design withstands rebar hits better, but it doesn’t have the life of full-head carbide. The best concrete drill bits in the world feature full-head carbide in SDS-plus or SDS-max configurations. A two-cutter bit is not intended to drill into rebar.”
How do users justify a more expensive bit? “The No. 1 cost on any jobsite is labor. When the workers can’t work because of equipment failure and the need to change a bit, that’s downtime. Worse yet, if there’s no replacement available and workers need to walk the site looking for a replacement bit, it’s a waste of money. If there are no replacements, work simply stops.
If the user has a bit with five times longer life and workers can stay at the task longer, that’s a big savings. It’s less downtime. Also, workers sometimes can be placed in difficult and strain-induc ing positions to drill holes for anchors in concrete. Rotary hammers used for these tasks are powerful and sometimes heavy, plus there’s extreme heat or cold weather. The sooner the worker can complete the job successfully in these difficult conditions the better off that worker will be and the more exacting the work. Breaking a drill bit when hit ting rebar or simply wearing out an infe rior drill bit prolongs the task.”
For more information visit CONC.me/ electrictools
Carbide 101: A Primer on Tungsten Carbide in Concrete Drilling C
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40 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete SPECIFICATIONCONCRETEGUIDE: DRILLS Company & Product Name Type On-boardCollectionDust Dimensions Weight Power Bit Size Range Speed GSR18V-975CNBosch, HammerHandheld,Drill/Driver With PRO+GUARD™BoschDustSolutions 7.6 x 3 x 8.4 in. 3.5 lbs CORE18v 8.0 Ah BatteryPerformance 1/2 in. (keyless)chuck Up to 480 rpm High Torque Driving, Up to 2,100 rpm High Speed Drilling Bosch, GSR18V-1330CNPROFACTOR Drill/DriverHandheld, No 8 x 2.9 x 8.6 in. 4.6 lbs CORE18v 8.0 Ah BatteryPerformance 1/2 in. chuck Up to 550 rpm High Torque Driving, Up to 2,200 rpm High Speed Drilling Brokk 110-900Inc.,with TE Drills 160-360 PneumaticMachine,Robotic, No 75.2 to 141.3 in. (L) 496-1,420 lbs. Electric or Diesel; Hydraulic TE Drill 1.3 to 3 in. 250 rpm Chicago Pneumatic, Red Hawk Handheld, Drill No 30 in. (L) 55 lbs. 185 cc, 2 stoke 7/8 x 4 1/4 in. 2,700 bpm Chicago Pneumatic, Rivet Buster (4608 D) Handheld No 23 in. 31 lbs. 45 cfm at 90 psi 0.890 x 1 Taper1/8 in. 1,080 bpm DCH832X1DEWALT, 60V Max 15 lb. SDS Max Dedicated Chip ping Hammer No 20.7 x 9.9 x 4.5 in. 15 lbs. 60V All SDS ChippingMaxBits 2,900 bpm DEWALT, DCH892X1 Dedicated Chip ping Hammer No 25.4 x 4.5 x 11.02 in. 22 lbs. 60V All SDS ChippingMaxBits 2,210 bpm E-Z Drill Inc., Model 210B SRA Dowel Drill Optional 68 x 36 x 62 in. 385 lbs. without dust collection, 535 lbs. with dust collection Pneumatic (100 cfm required without dust collection; 140 cfm required with dust collection) 5/8 2 1/2toin. 180 rpm E-Z Drill Inc., Model 210B-2 SRA Dowel Drill Optional 92 x 62 x 62 in. 1,040 lbs. without dust collection, 1,240 lbs. with dust collection Pneumatic (200 cfm required without dust collection; 260 cfm required with dust collection) 5/8 2 1/2toin. 180 rpm E-Z Drill Inc., Model 210B-4 SRA Dowel Drill Optional 90 x 84 x 62 in. 2,300 lbs. without dust collection; 2,700 lbs. with dust collection Pneumatic (400 cfm required without dust collection; 480 cfm required with dust collection) 5/8 2 1/2toin. 180 rpm
DMHusqvarna,540i Handheld Core Drill 17.5 in. (L) 11 lbs. 1,400 w 4 in. with stand, 3 in. handheld 770 or 2,400 rpm spindle speed no load E-gear 1; 1,400 4,450 rpms spindle speed, no load E gear 2
DMHusqvarna,700PRIME Machine
Core Drill 18 x 6.5 x 8.5 in. 30.8 lbs. 3-phase / 1-phase 8/4; with Power Pack (PP70) 8.7/4 3.2 to 24 in. 125/675 rpm spindle speed no load; 113/608 rpm spindle speed loaded Milwaukee Tool, MX FUEL™ Handheld Core Drill Handheld Stand-Mountedor Wet/Dry 21.58 x 4.8 x 9.29 in. 21.58 lbs. MX FUEL™BatteryREDLITHIUM™ 6 in. 790 and 1,550 rpm Milwaukee Tool, M18 FUEL™ 1-1/8” SDS Plus Rotary Ham mer w/ ONE-KEY™ Handheld When attached to the M18 HAMMERVAC™FUEL™11/8-in.DedicatedDustExtractor 13.5 x 3.4 x 10.2 in. 8.9 lbs. M18™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery; Kitted with (2) M18 REDLITHIUM™ HIGH OUTPUT™ XC6.0 Batteries 1 1/8 in. 800 rpm Milwaukee Tool, M18 FUEL™ 1” SDS Plus Rotary Hammer Handheld When attached to the M18 1-in.HAMMERVAC™FUEL™DedicatedDustExtractor 11.5 x 4.25 x 9 in. 6.8 lbs. M18™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery; Kitted with (2) M18 REDLITHIUM™ HIGH OUTPUT™ XC6.0 Batteries 1 in. 1,330 rpm Minnich A-1-48 Ongrade Concrete Dowel Pin Drill Machine Yes 48 x 30 x 34 in. 200 lbs. 5/8 to 2 1/2 in. 180 rpm For more information visit CONC.me/ electrictools
DMHusqvarna,400 Core Drill Yes 30 lbs. 4.4 hp Up to 16 in. with stand spacersand 420/820/1,120 rpms spindle speed no load; 230/460/720 rpms spindle speed full load
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 41 SPECIFICATION GUIDE: CONCRETE SAWS Company & Product Name Type Max Depth of Cut Max Blade Size Wet or Dry Cut Onboard Dust Collector Power (Engine, Make,Fuel,Model,HP) Atlas Copco, LS 14/LS 16 Handheld 5.2 to 6.3 in. 14-16 in. Water kit with pressure tank available for wet cut applications Hydraulic Bosch, GKS18V-26LN PROFACTOR 18v Strong Arm 7-1/4 in. Blade Left Circular Saw Handheld 2 5/8 in. 7 1/4 in. Yes Pivoting dust port, Rotates 360 degrees directing dust or optional vac hose away from body when saw is held in either hand CORE18v 8.0 Ah PerformanceBattery Bosch, PROFACTOR GCM18v-10SDN 18v Surgeon 10-in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw Miter Saw 3 1/2 in. depth with 11 1/2 in. crosscutwidth 3 1/2 in. depth with 11 1/2 in. crosscutwidth Yes Dust extraction ready, Dust bag included or connect to a vacuum with ease CORE18v 12.0 Ah PerformanceBattery Bosch, PROFACTOR GCM18v-12SDN 18v Surgeon 12-in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw Miter Saw 3 1/2 in. with 14 in. width crosscut 12 in. Yes Dust extraction ready, Dust bag included or connect to a vacuum with ease CORE18v 12.0 Ah PerformanceBattery Chicago Pneumatic, Cut-Off Saws – SAW 14/SAW 16 Handheld 5-6 in. 14-16 in. Water kit is available to provide a supply of cool ing water where needed Hydraulic DEWALT, DCS690X2, 9-in. 60v Flexvolt Max Cut-Off Saw Handheld 3 1/4 in. 9 in. No 6,500 rpm EDCO, DS-20 7 3/4 in. 20 in. Wet No 13 hp Gasoline or 7.5 hp, Electric230v EDCO, KL-14 Compact Downcut Walk-Behind Saw Walk-Behind 4 3/4 in. 14 in. Wet No Honda GX200, 7 hp Gasoline General Equipment, CS8GH Crak Chaser™ Random Crack Saw Walk-Behind 1 1/2 in. 1/2 in. (13 mm) wide, 8-in. (203 diametermm) Wet with optional CS81000 water feed kit Integral Dustpan with 3-in. diameter dust port Honda GXV390 13.0 hp (9.7 kw) Hilti, Nuron Battery-Powered DSH 600-22 Cut-Off Saw Handheld 4 3/4 in. 12 in. Wet & Dry 22V Nuron Battery Husqvarna, FS 7000 D Walk-Behind 7.58 to 17 1/2 in. (depending on blade size) 42 in. Wet Diesel Husqvarna, FS 600 E Walk-Behind 7.8 in. 20 in. Electric K1Husqvarna,PACEPower Cutter 12 in. Handheld 7 3/4 in. (121 mm) 12.36 in. (314 mm) 94v battery Milwaukee Tool, M18 FUEL™ 9-in. Cut-Off Saw with ONE-KEY™ Handheld 3/4 in. 9 in. Wet No M18 REDLITHIUM™FUEL™Battery Milwaukee Tool, MX FUEL 14-in. Cut-Off Saw Handheld 5 in. 14 in. Wet & Dry MX REDLITHIUM™FUEL™Battery SKIL, 7 in. Worm Drive SKILSAW Handheld 2 in. 7 in. Wet & Dry Dust ManagementSystem AC Power, 15A, with 10 ft. cord SKIL, 7 in. Walk-Behind Worm Drive SKILSAW Walk-Behind 2 in. 7 in. Wet & Dry Dust ManagementSystem AC Power, 15A, with 1.5 ft cord STIHL, TSA 230 Battery-Operated Cordless Cut-Off Machine Handheld 2 3/4 in. 9 in. Wet (water connection with shut-off valve and quick connector) 36 V BatteryLithium-IonTechnology U.S. FSB-150HSAWS,Walk-Behind Saw Walk-Behind 7 1/2 in. 20 in. Hydraulic U.S. SAWS, 21 in. Hydraulic Handheld Saw Handheld 8 in. 20 in. Hydraulic U.S. SAWS, JS-160 Propane Powered Joint Clean-Out Saw Walk-Behind 3 in. 10 in. V-Twin 479CC, 16 hp Vanguard For more information visit CONC.me/cutoffsaws
SoftwareSafetyConstruction
• Provides digital transformation of manual processes. Instead of waiting days for paper timecards or notes to make it into the office, Foremen can instantly log important safety information—like inspections on each piece of equipment used that day. Safety management software is even more powerful with inspections of equipment being sent straight to the shop.
How To Select
10 TIPS TO SELECT THE RIGHT SAFETY SOLUTIONMANAGEMENT
Choose safety management software that:
• Find trends, get proactive, and measure improvements. Do you really understand the results of your safety program? If you’re just looking at stacks of paper, it can be impossible to find trends and measure improvements. By digitizing all your safety records, reporting is accessible in seconds. You can see the big picture, understand what’s really going on, and pivot quickly. Some safety management programs use only forms where a digital safety management program allows you to capture information and report on leading indicators. Leading indicator data can help you create a proactive safety program where you can stop potential safety issues before something happens.
P eople and fleet equipment are the largest investments that construction companies make. When injuries and accidents happen to either, you lose productivity time, administration costs, and can gain a negative reputation for on-the-job issues. Construction safety management software can protect your people, equipment, and productivity. Choosing the right safety management program for your business can improve talent recruitment and help retain employees. With a talent shortage in the construction industry, an investment in your construction safety program can offset new hire investments and decrease turnover in your crews. Improve employee loyalty by showing that you care about your people. If online results show an incident or other safety problems, applicants may be discouraged. People want to work for companies that care about protecting their employees. So, how do you select the best construction safety management software for your company?
Adobe Stock Photos | metamorworks 42 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete FORM YOUR BUSINESS » BY GEN SIMMONS
• Helps develop a culture of safety in your crews. Foremen and safety managers are always prepared for the unexpected when your safety management software includes hundreds of toolbox talks, comprehensive inspection reports, crew skill tracking, and safety trend reports that recommend if any specific training topics are needed. Everything logged into your safety management software is saved so it only takes minutes instead of days to make quick reports for external compliance or internal reporting. Whether it’s faulty equipment or obvious defects, downtime can hurt the whole company. When equipment fails due to an ignored mistake, you risk your operation being shut down. With safety management software, Project Managers are always up to date since they receive safety information once it’s submitted and
• Includes a mobile app that allows field crews to report site safety inspections in minutes while out in the field. You can also report nearmisses to help reduce safety risks.
• Includes OSHA Compliant Incident Reporting. When an incident occurs, your crew lead will fill out all the pertinent information associated with this incident through the incident forms on the app. Once the incident is sent into the office, the safety manager can complete the rest of the incident and append any additional forms, as needed. These reports will be saved permanently for OSHAcompliant recordkeeping. Many construction firms will inte grate their maintenance repair shop soft ware with a safety management solution. As inspections are performed, any failed items can be sent directly to the mainte nance software. From there, fleet manag ers can add the alert to a work order for a repair to be made. The status of the alert can be viewed in the safety software and confirm that repairs were completed. By digitizing this information, paper reports cannot get lost. Bridging communication between the field and the shop will help your team catch potential failures before they happen and prevent equipment downtime.
• Anonymous reporting of unsafe practices. Snitches can prevent stitches by reporting unsafe practices at the jobsite anonymously. If someone observes an unsafe practice, they can scan a QR code posted at the jobsite and anonymously submit their observations. Make sure that reports can be created in both English and Spanish to help bilingual crews communicate more easily.
www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 43 can help take action to protect your people and equipment.
• Allows you to keep track of meeting attendees. Foremen can electronically record safety meetings and keep track of attendees by taking their pictures and capturing their signatures. Make sure your safety management software includes built-in safety meetings and will keep track of all previous safety meetings.
• Offers an accessible library of inspection templates, allowing the team to perform inspections in the field, or create customized templates for safety inspection of equipment. Keep your inspections all in one place for easy access and reporting purposes.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gen Simmons is a technical product manager for Heavy Construction Systems Specialists Inc. For more information visit CONC.me/ safetytech By digitizing safety records, reporting can be readily available in seconds allowing safety managers to create a proactive safety program where you can stop potential safety issues before something happens. Heavy Construction Systems Specialists Inc.
• Comes with hundreds of safety meetings, inspections, and JHA templates, including updated resources for COVID-19 compliance, so your company can get up and running fast. Make sure you can view these meetings, inspections, and templates daily and that information is available on a state and countryspecific basis.
• Offers real-time safety data and reporting for increased communication and fast modification of safety processes. Even if an incident occurs at another jobsite, your team can be alerted to the issue and be ready for a change in plans.
Idea File 44 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete Idea File While there are many solutions for making concrete repairs, Polymer Modified Structural Repair from QUIKRETE® is the comprehensive solution for almost any repair. This product demonstrates low sag, making it ideal for horizontal, vertical, or overhead repairs. Its unique properties also allow it to be used for partial-depth repairs and to be sculpted to match the contour of existing concrete surfaces. Use it to repair concrete cracks, curbs, loading docks, retaining walls, decorative moldings and more. It’s available in 20-pound pails of special fast-setting hydraulic cement, graded sands and other proprietary ingredients. Find out why QUIKRETE Polymer Modified Structural Repair should be in the back of every truck for horizontal, vertical, and overhead structural repairs. THE MUST HAVE FOR CONCRETE REPAIR 800.282.5828 - www.quikrete.com BACKPACKVIBRATORCONCRETE • The MX FUEL™ Backpack Concrete Vibrator provides the most consistent starts and reliable pours and requires no regular maintenance. • Power To Push 2.5” Head • No Gas Headaches • 70 yds3 per charge 1-1/2” Head, 7’ Whip • Instant power produces less noise and zero emission for a safer workspace Denver Concrete Vibrator GBPH25 Backpack Vibrator • Lightweight fiberglass frame with multi-point adjustment straps for maximum comfort • Vented padding maximizes airflow • Extremely reliable Honda 4-cycle gas engine • All metal high-stress transmission components • Throttle actuated kill switch allows the engine to be shut off without removing the backpack • Flex shaft quick disconnect system, standard • A hinged mount pivots the engine for comfort • Low oil shut off system prevents damage • Weighs only 29 lbs. • Head sizes up to 3 in. diameter denverconcretevibrator.com 800.36.JOSAM | www.josam.com • 1.5 times SS T RONGER • 70% LL I G HTER • 1.7 times less thermal expansion • SS H A TTERPROOF • UU N MA TCHED in Strength Compressive Strength 35% greater Flexural Strength 80% greater Tensile Strength 78% greater Trench Drain System ® The Better Option Over Polymer Concrete
Idea File www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 45
The BP-45 is an option between Oztec’s lightest weight model, the BP-35, and Oztec’s most powerful option, the BP-50a. As with all of Oztec’s power units, the BP-45 includes our patented Quick Disconnect for easy interchangeability with Oztec flexible shafts and vibrator heads. New RubberHeads® with Optional Extension Piece
www.oztec.com NEW OZTEC BP-45 BACKPACK AND RUBBERHEAD® WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSION PIECE
www.crafco.com
In December of 2019 Oztec Industries, Inc. reintroduced its 1-1/8” & 1-1/2” RubberHeads®. Both of these heads are available with an optional rubber coated extension piece. With Oztec extension pieces, you can greatly reduce the chance of the vibrator head becoming entangled in the rebar. These heads were originally designed to meet the needs of the construction of the Hood Canal Floating Bridge in Washington State, where over 30,000 cubic yards of concrete were poured in heavily congested rebar without a single head getting entangled in the rebar.
Oztec Industries, Inc. 65 Channel Drive · Port Washington, NY 11050 1-800-533-9055 - 516-883-8857 - Fax 516-883-7857
Sealing concrete cracks, joints, and other distresses with a rigid repair material often fail because they can become brittle and break over time. The ideal solution provides both strength and flexibility. That ideal solution is Crafco TechCrete™. TechCrete™ is a highly flexible concrete repair material that not only adjusts with the pavement but delivers the strength to support heavy loads, and the durability to resist cracking, delamination, and spalling. TechCrete ™ is the most advanced, flexible, long-term repair solution for concrete. It’s proven to last — displaying service life of more than 10 years.
Oztec is proud to introduce the newest edition to its industry leading backpack vibrators. The New BP-45 adds a powerful 2HP option, capable of running vibrator heads up to 2” in diameter, in a lightweight configuration. This backpack maintains Oztec’s Job-Proven Rugged design. Built to withstand the demands of concrete construction sites with a sturdy steel frame, dependable Honda engines, fully adjustable padding system and the highest quality components, all designed for easy maintenance and long life.
Oztec RubberHeads®, ranging in size from 1-1/8” to 2-3/4”, not only protect epoxy coated rebar and delicate form faces, but also produce better consolidated concrete and are job proven to be more efficient and effective than any other vibrator head on the market!
Idea File 46 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete Curb AchieveCOSustainability Goals, Reduce Costs with GCP 2 at the Source, With advanced chemistry and technology, GCP offers cement additives and concrete admixtures that increase productivity while reducing CO2 emissions and costs. Visit gcpat.com/curbing-co2 to learn more about our portfolio of CO2ST Reducers. Blastcrete Equipment LLC’s RD6536 Skid Steer Pump attachment is compatible with any skid steer and provides a fast, efficient solution for pumping grout materials, 3/8-inch shotcrete and 3/8-inch structural concrete mixes in a variety of concrete and shotcrete applications. The attachment features Blastcrete’s 3-inch hydraulic squeeze pump. The RD6536 offers variable speeds of 0-25 cubic yards per hour. Contractors can pump materials 250 feet horizontally and as high as 50 feet with the use of a rubber delivery line. The receiving hopper includes a hydraulic agitator that keeps the mix well-blended, ensuring aggregate and sand stay evenly suspended throughout the mix. Concrete Pump Attachment FEATURES HYDRAULIC SQUEEZE PUMP 866.899.2418 | International 256.371.4950 Blastcrete Equipment LLC has been manufacturing safe, reliable and user-friendly solutions for the refractory and shotcrete industries for more than 60 years. Contractors can pump materials 250 feet horizontally and as high as 50 feet. Ideal for: g ICF g Block fill g Form and pour g Driveway s g Basements g Shotcrete applications
Idea File www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 47 THE WORLD’S GATHERING PLACE FOR ADVANCING CONCRETE REGISTRATIONisnow OPEN For more information and to register, please visit aciconvention.org. OCTOBER 23-27, 2022 Hyatt Regency Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA The K-JC503 mobile crusher is small enough for easy transportation weighing 7,496 lbs and crushes concrete, sandstone, and cold asphalt with its 19” x 10” single toggle jaw crusher that can be adjusted hydraulically producing an end-product of 3/4”-3-1/4” at a rate of up to 34tph. KOMPLETAMERICA.COM GOT CPM-8HAZARDS?TRIP CRETE-PLANER Milling Machine Available in Gas, Electric, and Propane CPM-8 + VAC 200 + GENERATOR = PROBLEM SOLVED! VAC 200 • Fast cure allowing for quicker return to service • High impact and abrasion resistance for use in heavy duty vehicular and pedestrian areas • High-mil application without off-gassing, bubbling or swelling of the coating upon cure • Low-odor means it is safe for interior applications with adjacent occupied space • Field tintable options are available • Compliments the existing Pecora-Deck line of products PROTECTION AGAINST THE PECORA-DECKELEMENTSHB1000 WWW.PECORA.COM
Idea File 48 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete Avoid the Hidden Dangers to Your Bottom Line Sometimes the scariest hazards for a concrete contractor are the unseen dangers to your bottom line, like inaccurate estimates. A lack of con dence in your estimates can lead to non-competitive bids or worse, a winning bid that doesn’t result in achieving your target margin. Visit www.tek.la/hiddendangers to learn how Tekla Structures can help.
Minnich Manufacturing, the leading manufacturer of concrete dowel pin drills, concrete vibrators and vibrator monitoring systems, is dedicated to helping concrete contractors maximize efficiency.
The light yet rugged Stinger electric flex shaft concrete vibrator is a 14.5-pound double-insulated universal motor that can drive the full line of Minnich vibrator shafts and heads from ¾ inch to 2 ½ inches.
The CSV enables contractors to communicate using their cell phone’s Bluetooth to select set speeds of vibrations per minute (VPM) in coordination with the concrete slump being poured. Minnich will continue to bring products to the industry that support the findings of concrete research facilities across the country. visit www.minnich-mfg.com
For more information,
Minnich’s Stinger and Controlled Speed Vibrator (CSV) are just two examples of how the company’s concrete innovations serve customers.
Idea File www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 49 BROKKMEET 70 THE SUPERMINIHERO Packed with demolition power, the BROKK 70 is the perfect solution for safe and efficient demolition in very confined spaces. Brokk Inc. | info@brokkinc.com1-360-794-1277|www.brokk.com
MINNICH’S VERSATILE INNOVATIONS HELP MEET TODAY’S CONCRETE PLACEMENT CHALLENGES Brokk Inc. | info@brokkinc.com1-360-794-1277|www.brokk.com Distributed by: NEED TO GET A CONCRETE REPAIR PROJECT DONE FAST? A Hydrodemolition robot can complete the job 25x faster than jackhammers.
• Do I believe we have the allowed labor hours and quantities of materials to complete the job as estimated? If not, what will it take? For the experienced field leader, these questions and concerns are simply part of the regular process of preparation. But even the most talented of leaders can let up in consistently working through the same process of thinking and preparation. And there in lies the secret of any “G.O.A.T.” (Greatest Of All Time), they look at every game, match, meet, race, etc. as requiring the same disciplines toward ensuring their best chance for success. You can bet that any Super Bowl quarterback would execute consistently each and every preparation discipline they know works for them. The cost of consistency is the personal cost to be disciplined, to perform every detail step, consistently, so that mind and muscle retention begins to develop. Briefly, here’s what any construction leader can and should do when developing consistency to lead. Incorporate the following actions:
• Schedule an AM Crew Huddle and PM Crew Huddle to set the day’s agenda in the morning and to debrief the crew in the afternoon.
• Assessing his or her crew power; “Who do I have to do specific tasks that will bring us the best chance to ‘win’?”
• Before leaving the site, or your yard, “stage” your trucks and/or site, for the next day. Getting ahead today can put more productivity into tomorrow.
• Give your crew accurate feedback on their performance. If it was great… praise them. If it was not great… discuss what needs to be done differently and or better. The cost of consistency is primarily a mind and time challenge. When you realize the benefits of being consistently discipline to plan and prepare before executing, then you will see a return to your own Super Bowl form showing up job after Here’sjob!topaying the cost of consis tency! Be a G.O.A.T. For more from Brad Humphrey, visit CONC.me/bestfriend Brad Humphrey is the Vice President of Human Resources & Employee Development for Pavecon, a full-service pavement maintenance contractor based in Dallas Texas with offices now spreading to nine locations. Brad can be heard on The Contractor’s Best Friend Podcasts, sponsored by AC Business Media and Caterpillar throughout the year. For literature written by Brad, simply check out his books on Amazon.com.
I’m referring to is the consistency to prepare and plan. As most of the better performers in any sport will attest, most of their success resulted in their ability to focus, study their own improvement needs, and to prepare for their success. What is true in the sports world is just as viable for any construction leader. But there are costs to being consistent as a contractor and crew leader. Consider what any construction leader must be consistent about •preparing.Studying the project file as if it were the opposing team.
• Do we clearly understand the projects’ scope of work, customer expectations, etc. and are we on the same page with the estimator who won the work?
• Line out the process you will follow to execute the project. Include who will be doing what tasks, who will be adding support, what safety actions will be needed, and who will be leading the same.
• Confirming the location of needed material plants, supply stores, legal and most safe routes to and from our yard, etc.
Stock/iushakovskyAdobe
• Confirming that all the needed equipment, tools, materials, components, safety cones/barricades, etc. are available and in working order.
• Lining out the steps or phases of completion that will be most successful.
• Upon studying your job file, schedule a “pre-con” meeting with the estimator and make sure you both are clear as water on every issue, conflict, question, or concern you have.
• Upon completing the project, try to conduct a “post-job review” as soon as possible, while all the issues, corrections, wins, etc. are still fresh on your mind.
• First, study your job folder and look for every detail that you can confirm and record what concerns or questions you have.
• Ensure that every detail about materials, what producer will be used, and how will the material be received. Ensure also that you schedule the incoming materials, even if your company is transporting the materials, to arrive “just-in-time” to be placed.
The Cost of Consistency W ith the match-up of Super Bowl teams, the discussion on every sports talk show relates to the talent of the two quarterbacks. While some differ in style and movement, many share a very interesting common trait: consistency.Theconsistency
50 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete THE LAST PLACEMENT » BY BRAD HUMPHREY
