On Thursday September 19, 1985 at 7:19 A.M., an earthquake jolted a large part of Mexico, causing enormous material damage and great loss of life in Mexico City and several other local towns. The Mexican Cement and Concrete Institute (IMCYC) responded immediately to official requests and with a group of 19 engineers and architects from its staff participated with vehicles and equipment in a visual inspection coordinated by the Secretary of Urban Development and Ecology. Read more
Unless all necessary measures are taken, and thoroughly executed, the part of a building that is below grade will most likely be troubled from time to time with intruding water. Read more
Joints in concrete flatwork help to minimize uncontrolled cracking. But if joints aren't properly planned cracks may still occur and mar the appearance of an otherwise good quality concrete job. When an area is irregularly shaped it is particularly important to carefully plan joint configurations that will avoid the common causes of cracking. Read more
Concrete dome roofs for large water reservoirs have several advantages over flat roofs. Read more
A 23-foot-high concrete noise barrier at Heathrow Airport received a 1985 Commendation of The Concrete Society, England for "...an unusual but highly appropriate application of the use of concrete to fulfill an entirely technical function." Read more
Mixing water fit to drink has always been a basic requirement for good concrete. Read more
In the past several years, an increasing number of contractors have placed concrete containing polypropylene fibers. Fiber manufacturers have promoted the material as a practical alternative to the use of welded wire fabric for control of shrinkage and temperature cracking. Read more
Polypropylene fibers have been suggested as an alternative to using welded fabric wire for crack control purposes in concrete slabs. Read more
I would like to know how contractors cope with concrete slabs poured in the summer and sealed with a sealer. I've used two different types of sealer but in both cases I got salt scaling the following spring where salt had been thrown around. I know it is Read more
Concrete is sticking to the forms of our stringline curb forming machine and peeling off the newly formed curb as the machine moves on. Temperatures have been very warm, rising to about 90 to 95 degrees F in midafternoon. What causes this problem, and wha Read more