The last few decades of have brought impressive technological advances to the means and methods of alternative foundations systems. We found ourselves taking advantage of one of these newer technologies at a brownfield site adjacent the Tennessee River, where we are currently working. We recently finished about 140 geopiers in just a few days. If you haven’t been [Read More]
Integral Colored Concrete and Polish for Office, Retail
Last week, I was with a customer in Phoenix who shared how integral colored polished concrete is saving them about 75% in annual maintenance costs. While all customers are different with their experiences and needs, when I got back, I asked our team the best ways to ensure good integral colored floors. They shared a few [Read More]
Deep Foundations from a Geotechnical Perspective
Within a couple of months, we will have completed the installation of just under 500 caissons–36” to 66” in diameter–across two projects. Both are urban infill and on third and fourth generation use. One site presents brownfield conditions. This work got me thinking about the need for added stability on some job sites. When do you [Read More]
9 Tips for Winter Grading Success
I was in Cincinnati earlier this week, enjoying some freezing temps, misty rain and a little ice. It reminded me of a few jobs where we did not work as smart as we should have in the cold weather. That was years ago and we’ve learned a few things about winter grading along the way. [Read More]
BIM, Reaching Its Potential
We are just finishing our first total BIM designed project, a 2-story, 130,000 sf building. Our experience has taught us that BIM is: An excellent design tool. Using 3-D modeling allows the customer to understand the project much more efficiently than flat plans. A way to bridge communication gaps. Consultants, contractors, subcontractors and material vendors have one [Read More]
F-Numbers and Concrete Flatness
We recently we had a project where very tight tolerances for the floor finishes were important. I thought I would share what this measuring system is all about, and give a quick summary on how to get there. Until the 1980s, concrete flatness was measured as “in 1/8th inch in ten feet,” the gold standard [Read More]
Setting RTUs via Helicopter
Where would we be without helicopters? This week we used a Sikorksy S-58t helicopter to set 17 RTUs on a new project scheduled for completion next year. It’s amazing how fast the process moved. From pick up to the roof , set time was less than 1 hour. While we have been using helicopters on [Read More]
How Roller Compacted Concrete Helped Us Overcome a Deadline
Roller compacted concrete (RCC) traditionally has a wide scope of use, from airport runways, to roadways and parking areas. We had the opportunity to use this technique on a project last winter. Our customer needed to move into their building, but the asphalt plants were shut down. We installed RCC in the parking lot, striped [Read More]
The Rise of Elevated, Post-Tensioned Concrete Slab Systems
As our communities in-fill and become more dense, more multi-level structures will be introduced. Post-tensioned slabs are becoming a larger part of the design and construction mix here. We’re seeing these systems become a more economical and viable option. Is Post-tensioning right for your job? When dealing with multilevel structures–whether residential, parking, office or [Read More]
LED Lighting: Where We See Things Currently
Recently, we completed two projects using LED lighting for the parking fields. I thought it would be helpful to share a few basic observations and thoughts: PROS: Energy Efficiency. Conventional lighting wastes a high percentage of energy through heat, while LEDs remain cool. This makes these bulbs much more energy efficient. In total, LEDs consume [Read More]
