In 1991, a group of concrete contractors and ready mix producers in Kansas City, Mo., began to offer warranties on concrete driveways as a value-added product to homeowners. The group named its product "Blue Ribbon Driveways" and stood behind its materials and workmanship with a five-year limited warranty. The success of the warranty concept in this and other individual local programs has led to a national Blue Ribbon Driveway program. Started in 1994, the program encourages residential concrete contractors to use a potent marketing tool: warranties for driveways. Those who have embraced the program speak enthus- iastically about the positive effect it has on quality and profits.
All modern slipform pavers consolidate and shape concrete using an extrusion process that pulls or "slips" the forms continuously over and through the plastic concrete. Plastic concrete acts like a fluid, which means it cannot be compressed. When confined inside the paving machine, the energy applied to the concrete for consolidation or finishing is transmitted through the concrete in all directions back to the paver.
Members of ACI committee 318, Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete, met in March 1995 to discuss proposed changes to the code and comments on the changes from the concrete industry and other interested parties. The changes most likely to affect concrete construction contractors will be new requirements for shoring and reshoring plans and schedules for multistory construction. Under the proposed changes, contractors will be fully responsible for developing a plan and schedule for removing shores and installing reshores. The contractor will also be responsible for calculating the loads transferred to the structure during the construction process.
The method a contractor chooses for placing concrete can actually have more impact on a small project than on a larger job. Job conditions, site access, and cost considerations affect the choice of handling methods and equipment for most projects. But on small jobs, choosing the right placement technique can mean the difference between profit and loss on the job.
What government rules affect contractors the most? Without a doubt safety regulations have the most influence on a contractor's daily operation. Most contractors believe that stricter safety regulations are good for the industry, and ultimately affect the bottom line. But safety requirements can sometimes go too far according to some contractors. Paperwork and bookkeeping on safety issues are a constant struggle. However, with the high fines being levied by safety inspectors for improper paperwork, it's a job that must be done.
