Concrete Contractor July/August/September 2022

July/August/September 2022

THE LEADING TRADE MAGAZINE IN THE CONCRETE INDUSTRY

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SAFETY TIPS: REMOTECONTROLLED DEMOLITION MACHINES

Experience Matters!

➜ SAVE TIME & MONEY WITH MOBILE CRUSHING The benefits of recycling waste concrete

UNDERSTANDING INTERNAL CONCRETE MOISTURE

WWW.FORCONSTRUCTIONPROS.COM/CONCRETE

CONCRETE REPAIR EXPERTS SHARE ADVICE

A CHIP OFF THE

OLD BLOCK Key factors of a successful concrete repair job

WHAT’S INSIDE

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022 | Issue 4, Volume 22

COVER STORY 20 Key Factors Of A Successful Concrete Repair Job A few vital considerations.

DEPARTMENTS 4 Editor’s Letter 6 New Products 14 Product Focus

Demolition & Removal Equipment

30 Product Focus Repair Products

50 The Last Placement Cover and above photo courtesy of Contech Services Inc.

SPECIFICATION GUIDES

FEATURES 8 Mobile Crushing

Saves Time & Money Recycling virgin or waste concrete eliminates transportation fees, lowers costs.

12 How Contractors

Can Profit From Sustainable Work 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 Tips:

Remote-Controlled Demolition Machines Simple safety tips operators should remember when using remotecontrolled demolition equipment.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

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 Right

Surface Grinder Attachment

Basic guidelines to help with choosing the proper type of attachment.

38 Carbide 101 A primer on tungsten carbide in concrete drilling.

36 Concrete Vibrators 40 Concrete Drills 41 Concrete Saws

FORM YOUR BUSINESS 42 How To Select

Construction Safety Software 10 tips to select the right construction safety management software for your company.

WHAT’S ONLINE Turn Mini-excavators Into Multipurpose Machines Increase mini-excavator utilization and save money in the process.

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JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 3

EDITOR’S LETTER

One Thing At A Time

Published by AC Business Media

201 N. Main Street, 5th Fl., Fort Atkinson, WI 53538 (800) 538-5544 • www.ACBusinessMedia.com

T

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hese are truly unprecedented times. Not only are interest rates on their way back up again (so says my mortgage bank), it seems the swollen 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 JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI, EDITOR of Labor Statistics Producer Price Index by the JKOZLOWSKI@ ACBUSINESSMEDIA.COM National Association of Home Builders, this volatility has "added $14,345 to the price of a new single-family home and $5,511 to the market value of an average new multifamily home."

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 unexpected impacts like the radical loss of labor in every market due to COVID have made the construction industry tough day in, and day out. “[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 consecutively 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.)

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 purchasing smarter, and more. It's one thing at a time.

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PUBLICATION STAFF

Editor Contributing Writers Senior Production Manager Art Director Audience Development Manager

Jonathan Kozlowski jkozlowski@ACBusinessMedia.com Kim Basham, Jim Baty, Brad Humphrey, Sean O’Keefe, Chad White Cindy Rusch April Van Etten Angela Franks

ADVERTISING SALES (800) 538-5544

mworley@ACBusinessMedia.com nlawson@ACBusinessMedia.com sdunphy@ACBusinessMedia.com tsoma@ACBusinessMedia.com kpride@ACBusinessMedia.com

Mike Worley Nikki Lawson Sean Dunphy Tadashi Soma Kristin Pride FORCONSTRUCTIONPROS.COM

Digital Content Director Managing Editor

Wayne Grayson wgrayson@ACBusinessMedia.com Gigi Wood gwood@ACBusinessMedia.com

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 Chief Financial Officer Chief Digital Officer Chief Revenue Officer Brand Director, Supply Chain & Green Industry Brand Director, Construction Vice President, Operations VP Audience Development Director, Demand Generation & Education General Manager, Online & Marketing Services Content Director

Ron Spink JoAnn Breuchel Kris Heineman Amy Schwandt Jason Desarle Sean Dunphy Nick Raether Ronda Hughes Jim Bagan Bethany Chambers 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, recording or any information storage or retrieval system, without written permission from the publisher.

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. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Concrete Contractor, PO Box 3605 Northbrook, IL 60065-3605 JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022, 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).

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Canada Post PM40612608. Return Undeliverable Canadian Addresses to: Concrete Contractor, PO Box 25542, London, ON N6C 6B2.

Printed in the U.S.A.

Advisory Board Kim Basham KB Engineering Cheyenne, Wyo.

Jim Cuviello Cuviello Concrete Polished | Stained | Crafted Stevensville, Md.

James Baty II Concrete Foundations Association Mt. Vernon, Iowa

Chris Klemaske T.B. Penick & Sons, Inc. San Diego, Calif.

4 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

Dennis Purinton Purinton Builders, Inc. East Granby, Conn.

Concrete Contractor is the Official Media Sponsor of the CFA Foundation Company Certification Program

®

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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

NEW 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 while eliminating cords and tripping hazards for a safer and more productive placement.

The MX FUEL Concrete Vibrator increases productivity and safety on the jobsite by eliminating trip hazards and the need for cords and 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 over 10,000 VPM for optimal concrete consolidation.

• Track, manage, and secure the vibrator from their mobile device through ONE-KEY. • Accepts heads up to 2-1/2 in. and shafts up to 21 ft. long • Compatible with Oztec accessories • Wireless remote gives users the ability to run the machine from up to 30 ft. away

MAX USA Batteries

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 per charge.

• 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.

• 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.

ForConstructionPros.com/22184453

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, one grinding disc and one cutting disc.

ForConstructionPros.com/22275631

For more information visit CONC.me/products

6 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

SikaCem-190 Concrete Control by Sika

Ideal for all 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 prematurely.

Applications 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 • Lubricates concrete surface • Promotes proper hydration • Reduces surface crazing • Reduces efflorescence • Improves abrasion resistance • Chemically reacts with entire mix design • 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.

Husqvarna Construction HEPA Dust Extractors

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.

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.

ForConstructionPros.com/22275812

ForConstructionPros.com/22184646

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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YOUR CONCRETE

Effective concrete repair solutions that provide strength, flexibility, and lasting performance.

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.

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.

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.

RoadSaverTM Hot-Applied Sealants and Silicone Joint Sealants

Get started today!

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DISCOVER OUR FAMILY OF QUALITY PAVEMENT PRESERVATION BRANDS

MOBILE CRUSHING

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BY JESSICA LOMBARDO

Mobile Crushing Saves

TIME & MONEY Recycling of virgin or waste on the jobsite eliminates transportation fees and lowers costs.

T

he construction industry is one of the largest recyclers in the country, recycling and reusing asphalt and concrete in massive amounts. Today's mobile crushers are suited for use in a wide range of applications, including for asphalt and concrete or for mixed construction and demolition waste.

For 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 mitigates the cost of buying virgin stone, and it can be stockpiled to build something else on the property. Other advantages of recycling concrete and asphalt right at your location include: • Eliminating or reducing tipping fees and disposal costs • Eliminating usage demand for much needed landfill space • Eliminating or reducing transportation costs • Helping preserve virgin deposits and protecting the environment • Lowering aggregate material cost for construction projects • Lowering traffic impact and reducing energy costs HOW MOBILE CRUSHING WORKS Screening and crushing plants receive the material from the initial crushing process and are small enough to be mobile. Additional crushing further

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

reduces large particle sizes, while the screener sorts out material, allowing the right size material to pass through and returning 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 fokas.pokas/adobestock.com

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JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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THE STINGER 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

MOBILE CRUSHING CONTINUED typically authorized by State Transportation Departments for use in roadbeds and drainage projects.

To perform on-site crushing, contractors need to either own or rent specialized equipment.

For smaller projects, a crushing attachment or small portable 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

crusher can be useful for turning concrete 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 moving 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 time.

Larger 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

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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.

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.

KPI-JCI

TURN YOUR DEMOLITION WASTE INTO DOLLARS 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!

SMALL MOBILE CRUSHERS, SCREENERS & SHREDDERS

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.

Call (908) 369-3340 or visit www.kompletamerica.com to request a quote! www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 11

SPOTLIGHT: SUSTAINABILTY

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BY RAY HATCH

CONSTRUCTION & DEMOLITION RECYCLING: How Contractors Can Profit From Sustainable Work

Adobe Stock

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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.

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 businesses maintain economic neutrality.

KNOWLEDGE & PLANNING CAN SPUR CHANGE In many cases, contractors and project managers can pave the way for a more sustainable future by reducing and eliminating on-site waste through careful organization and planning methods. The key to a cleaner and safer worksite is regular inventory checks and reporting. Whether you partner with an expert waste consulting and management service or keep tabs on the inputs and outputs yourself, conducting a routine analysis of your operations 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

12 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

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.

• 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

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

What Items Can The Industry Recycle?

• Concrete and asphalt can be turned into aggregate or new cement products • Old or unused wood can be used to create furniture, mulch or compost • Metals like steel, brass and copper can be crushed and compacted to make new metal products • Cardboard packaging that’s used to house various construction products can also be recycled 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 important, site management and planning during construction projects are critical.

Through proactive planning and routine operations analysis, project managers can avoid buying excess materials or throwing away valuable items while identifying cost-effective nearby recycling sites.

Ray Hatch is the president and CEO of Quest Resource Management Group.

For more information visit CONC.me/profit

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

Titen Turbo You’ve got to drive it to believe it. ™

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.

©2022 Simpson Strong-Tie Company Inc. TNT20

DEMOLITION & REMOVAL EQUIPMENT Caterpillar Primary and Secondary Pulverizers

Werk-Brau Pavement Removal Buckets

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

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

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DEWALT 60V MAX Cordless 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

N OT A L L T R E N C H D R A I N S ARE CREATED EQUALLY PRO-PLUS® TRENCH DRAINS

Innovative and Labor-Saving SMC/GRP Drainage Channels made from glass-fiber reinforced composite.  Lightweight

 Extremely Strong

 Easy to handle and install

 Shatterproof

 Requires less manpower

When comparing PRO-PLUS® to polymer concrete its strength, weight, and thermal expansion is unmatched.

P RO-PLUS® Strength 1.5 times Stronger 35% greater Compressive Strength 80% greater Flexural Strength 78% greater Tensile Strength P RO-PLUS® Weight 70% Lighter P RO-PLUS® Thermal Expansion 1.7 times less

14 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

800.36.JOSAM | www.josam.com

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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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.

Brokk 300 Demolition Machine with SmartConcept 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 984-ft. working range • Includes a BHB 455 hydraulic breaker with 855 joules of hitting power

ForConstructionPros.com/22005955

For more information visit CONC.me/worksite

ForConstructionPros.com/22005804

OUR KIND OF PLAYGROUND

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.

Brokk Inc. | Monroe, WA | 1-360-794-1277 | info@brokkinc.com | www.brokk.com

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 15

INSIDE THE ACI

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BY WILLIAM OWINGS III, MICHAEL MORRISON

Education, Training & Certification: ACI's Concrete Resource Centers Adobe Stock Images | By Andy Dean

A

CI 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.

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.

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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.

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 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.

The multipurpose 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.

The newly-opened ACI Resource

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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.

CUSTOM TRAINING & EDUCATION 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

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SAFETY

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koya979/adobestock.com

BY JEFF KEELING

Safety Tips With Remote-Controlled Demolition Machines

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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.

• 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.

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• 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.

Demolition robots can provide peace of mind for contractors and crews, like any machine, overall safety depends on operator diligence.

Brokk Inc.

• 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 Jeff Keeling is Brokk Inc.'s North and connector are undamaged American sales and marketing manager. before plugging in, as well. For more Brokk Inc

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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information on daily maintenance for your machine, consult the operator’s manual or contact the manufacturer.

• 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.

• 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: • Safety harnesses and stands when working at height • Breathing masks, gas masks or airstream helmets for sites with harmful air • Heat shields and appropriate protective clothing for hot environments • Barriers to define risk zone· Safety equipment to secure machine components during repair and service.

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.

When it comes 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

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JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 19

COVER STORY

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BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI

r_tee/Adobe Stock

A CHIP OFF THE OLD BLOCK BLOCK:

Key Factors of a Successful Concrete Repair Job 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.

Contech Services Inc.

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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 project’s differences—large or small—some aspects ring true every time.

It’s estimated that the world is placing a New York City's worth of concrete each year. For the concrete that

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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

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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 Russell, 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

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Contech Services Inc.

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.”

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 conventions. 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.

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Contech Services Inc.

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CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 21

COVER STORY CONTINUED Only after evaluation and getting a better idea of the problem at hand can you then make a more educated decision on the—right—repair material.

SURFACE PREPARATION 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.

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.

Kim Basham, 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.”

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, contractors 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 contractor] 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.”

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

Contech Services Inc.

22 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

COVER STORY CONTINUED Find our specification guide for concrete saws on page 41.

Milwaukee Tool Corp.

KEY TOOLS YOU NEED • A good set of hand trowels: Contractors should have two or three different types of floats and trowels for a common repair job. Bring along a finishing trowel, margin trowel, a pointed trowel and a concrete boom for texturing.

• A caulk gun: Contractors may run into a ceiling repair or need an advanced polymer product to repair cracks.

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 shadowing effect. However, one easy mistake contractors could make is not removing enough concrete or removing the corrosion off of the steel in the first place.

Spend the time to adequately and sufficiently 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.

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 project,” says Fuller. "There are some basic

24 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

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.

Bagged concrete mix manufacturers design their repair products with safety

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• 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.

• A paddle mixer (with a drill and 5-gal. bucket): For smaller projects, contractors can mix the material in small batches.

• 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.

• Pressure washer: Experts suggest this as a must-have if you are doing a lot of concrete restoration work to clean out the repair area. Make sure it will be able to reach the needed PSI. Renting may be an economical option.

• Breaker, hammer, or drill with appropriate concrete bits • Concrete saw and blades • A level: Experts suggest including a long level in your repair project kit. And we’re not talking 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.

• PPE: Last but not least.

Gloves, safety goggles, helmet, ear protection, etc.

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regulations in mind such as removing silica out of their materials and making 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, reinforcement 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 a gap.

He 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 earlyage shrinkage.

The ACI University 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.”

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

For more information visit CONC.me/repair

RESOURCES

1. ICRI 310.2R Selecting and Specifying Concrete Surface Preparation for Sealers, Coatings, Polymer Overlays, and Concrete Repair 2. ICRI 320.1R Guideline for Selecting Application Methods for the Repair of Concrete Surfaces 3. ICRI 320.2R Guide for Selecting and Specifying Materials for Repair of Concrete Surfaces 4. ACI PRC-546 Guide to Concrete Repair

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CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 25

CONCRETE REPAIR

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BY JONATHAN KOZLOWSKI Adobe Stock Images | By Photo Gallery

3

Concrete Repair Experts Share Their Advice

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

26 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

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 crack.

Go by the 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

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

Jeff Russell, Vice President of Sales for Southeast and Florida, The QUIKRETE Companies

typically shrinks, there are products that we make that are non-shrinking or expanding. So, if you're trying to

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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.”

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

28 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

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

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

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

PETE BARLOW, CHAIRMAN OF ACI 546 REPAIR COMMITTEE, VP OF CONTECH SERVICES INC. “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.

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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.

Saying no at the right times is as important as saying yes.”

Pete Barlow, Vice President, Contech Services Inc.

For more information visit CONC.me/repair

Contech Services Inc.

Understanding what you're getting yourself into; understanding the problem, not just what's caused the deterioration 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

Zelma /adobestock

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.

Distributed by: Brokk Inc. | Monroe, WA | 1-360-794-1277 | info@brokkinc.com | www.brokk.com

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JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 29

REPAIR PRODUCTS WearCOAT 474 Epoxy Crack Repair Coating

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.

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.

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.

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For more information visit CONC.me/repair

30 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

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.

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Lawson Products WearFlex High Strength Rapid Repair Compound

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.

• Applications include conveyor repair, urethane bushings, bellows, bumpers and tire chocks, concrete seam repair, crack repair in high vibration areas • Superior adhesion to multiple surfaces • Short cure time for fast repairs • Forms a flexible bond that withstands chemicals, grease, oil, and water • Remains flexible at low temperatures ForConstructionPros.com/22236606

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.

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.

ForConstructionPros.com/22288811

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.

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FLOOR COATING SYSTEMS & POLISHED CONCRETE

»

BY ROY CANNON, TANZIN FATIMA

Adobe Stock Images | By Piotr

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. 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.

Moisture is one of the major concrete system enemies.

32 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

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

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

ratio (increase in the water content in concrete) tends to make weaker, more permeable, and less durable finished concrete structures.

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

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

migrating through the slabs can also cause “efflorescence” or powdery crystalline deposit of salts on unsealed concrete.

Ideal conditions 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).

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).

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).

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).

REFERENCES

“Ideal conditions

for concrete coating applications would require placing concrete (with 0.450.50 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.”

1. Craig, Peter. Moisture Mitigation for Concrete Slabs. Concrete International.

2003. Retrieved from floorworks3.com/ uploads/2/7/4/8/2748193/moisture-mitigationfor-concrete-slabs.pdf.

2. Sicilia, Pat. Science Behind It: Understanding Moisture Vapor Transmission and Moisture Mitigation. CoatingsPro Magazine. 2014.

Retrieved from www.coatingspromag.com/ articles/concrete-coatings/2014/09/sciencebehind-it-understanding-moisture-vaportransmission-and-moisture-mitigation.

3. Kater, Kelly. WHAT IS HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE? AND WHY DOES IT MATTER TO HOMEOWNERS? ACCULEVEL. 2020. Retrieved from acculevel.com/ hydrostatic-pressure-for-homeowners/.

4. Josephsen, Jack. EPOXY TROUBLESHOOTING - HYDROSTATIC PRESSURE AND MOISTURE TOLERANCE. Epoxyschool.

2010. Retrieved from www.epoxyschool. com/blog/epoxy-troubleshooting-hydrostaticpressure-and-moisture-tolerance/.

Adobe Stock Images

By Iryna

On the other hand, hydrostatic pressure is a strong destructive force related to effects on the coating after application and curing, that can cause coating failure/ delamination through the moisture/ 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 blisters on low moisture vapor permeable membrane surfaces by being trapped beneath an impermeable film on the surface (Josephsen, 2010).

Roy Cannon is the Director of Construction Materials Technology at Pecora Corporation, providing strategic and tactical oversight for overall corporate construction materials technology.

Tanzin Fatima is a Technical Service Representative and Document Editor at Pecora Corporation.

Scan here to download the FREE whitepaper “Moisture in Concrete: An Essential Guide to Protect Concrete Structures.”

CONC.me/moistureguide

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JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 33

FLOOR COATING SYSTEMS & POLISHED CONCRETE

»

BY DENNIS VON RUDEN

Basic Guidelines on Choosing the Right Surface Grinder Attachment and other types of stone floors. 80- and 120-grit are great for polishing concrete but can also be used for medium grinding 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.

Always consult your machine's operator’s manual for details on the specific surface grinder being used.

General Equipment Company

General Equipment Company

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.

S

2. TUNGSTEN CARBIDE ATTACHMENTS 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.

1. SILICON CARBIDE GRINDING STONES 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

3. SCARIFIER ATTACHMENTS 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

34 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

recommended for medium-duty concrete 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.

4. ANGLED TUNGSTEN CARBIDE INSERTS 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 tungsten carbide.

Materials such as adhesives, 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 mixture of sand and water.

5. DIAMOND SYSTEMS Attachments that utilize diamonds offer superior longevity and production rates for surface grinding and coatings

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

removal applications. Contrary to tungsten carbide systems being most appropriate 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 productivity 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 removing thin-to-medium glues, mastics, covering 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 hardness of this matrix varies from one diamond system to another. Ideally, choose a hard bond when grinding soft materials and a soft bond when grinding hard materials, as softer materials wear diamonds more quickly.

These attachments come at a premium price when compared with silicone carbide grinding stones, but also provide much higher productivity and service

life. It comes down to how often a contractor 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 necessary. If required, contact the equipment manufacturer to determine the life expectancy of each attachment. Always

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

consult the operator’s manual for details on the specific surface grinder being used. For additional assistance, check with the manufacturer or your local distributor or rental center.

Dennis Von Ruden is President of General Equipment Company.

For more information visit CONC.me/surfaceprep

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CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 35

SPECIFICATION GUIDE: CONCRETE VIBRATORS Company, Product Name

For more information visit CONC.me/vibrating

Weight

Vibration Range

Power Source

Shaft Length Range

Head Diameter Range

Head Configuration & Material

Allen Engineering, BP50 Backpack Vibrator

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 Engineering, 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 Concrete, GBPH25

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

Dimensions

Milwaukee Tool, MX FUEL™ Backpack Concrete Vibrator

12.6 x 12.4 x 26.5 in.

34.5 lbs.

Over 11,000 vpm

MX FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ battery

Up to 21 ft.

Up to 2 1/2 in.

Round, Metal

Milwaukee Tool, MX FUEL™ Concrete Vibrator

13 x 9.9 x 9.5 in.

23 lbs.

Over 11,000 vpm

MX FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ battery

Up to 21 ft.

Up to 2 1/2 in.

Round, Metal

57 x 3.25 x 6.5 in.

8.8 lbs.

12,500 vpm

M18 FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ battery

4 ft.

1 in.

Square, Metal

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 Shaft Concrete Vibrator Motor

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

Northrock Industries, Pro 1.5+ Electric Concrete Vibrator

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

Northrock Industries, Pro 2+ Electric Concrete Vibrator

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 Urethane Coated

Northrock Industries, Pro 3+ Electric Concrete Vibrator

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 Urethane Coated

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 or RubberHead®

Milwaukee Tool, M18 FUEL™ Concrete Pencil Vibrator Minnich 50 CC Backpack Concrete Vibrator

Oztec Industries, 1.2, 1.8, 2.4, and 3.2 oz. Electric Motors Oztec Industries, BP-50a Backpack Vibrator

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 or RubberHead®

Oztec Industries, RubberHead®

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®

36 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

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CONCRETE DRILLS

Bosch Power Tools

»

BY AMY WUNDERLIN

Carbide 101: A Primer on Tungsten Carbide in Concrete Drilling

C

arbide is one of the most important materials in concrete drilling. 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.

What drives the acceptance of carbide in concrete applications?

“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.”

38 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

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.

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 difference between the three options.”

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.

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

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-cutter 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-inducing 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 hitting rebar or simply wearing out an inferior drill bit prolongs the task.”

For more information visit CONC.me/ electrictools

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

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SPECIFICATION GUIDE: CONCRETE DRILLS

For more information visit CONC.me/ electrictools

Type

On-board Dust Collection

Dimensions

Weight

Power

Bit Size Range

Speed

Handheld, Hammer Drill/ Driver

With Bosch PRO+GUARD™ Dust Solutions

7.6 x 3 x 8.4 in.

3.5 lbs

CORE18v 8.0 Ah Performance Battery

1/2 in. chuck (keyless)

Up to 480 rpm High Torque Driving, Up to 2,100 rpm High Speed Drilling

Bosch, PROFACTOR GSR18V-1330CN

Handheld, Drill/Driver

No

8 x 2.9 x 8.6 in.

4.6 lbs

CORE18v 8.0 Ah Performance Battery

1/2 in. chuck

Up to 550 rpm High Torque Driving, Up to 2,200 rpm High Speed Drilling

Brokk Inc., 110-900 with TE Drills 160-360

Machine, Robotic, Pneumatic

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 1/8 in.

Taper

1,080 bpm

DEWALT, DCH832X1 60V Max 15 lb. SDS Max

Dedicated Chipping Hammer

No

20.7 x 9.9 x 4.5 in.

15 lbs.

60V

All SDS Max Chipping Bits

2,900 bpm

DEWALT, DCH892X1

Dedicated Chipping Hammer

No

25.4 x 4.5 x 11.02 in.

22 lbs.

60V

All SDS Max Chipping Bits

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 to 2 1/2 in.

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 to 2 1/2 in.

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 to 2 1/2 in.

180 rpm

Husqvarna, DM 400

Core Drill

Yes

30 lbs.

4.4 hp

Up to 16 in. with stand and spacers

420/820/1,120 rpms spindle speed no load; 230/460/720 rpms spindle speed full load

Husqvarna, DM 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

Husqvarna, DM 700 PRIME

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

Company & Product Name

Bosch, GSR18V-975CN

Milwaukee Tool, MX FUEL™ Handheld Core Drill

Handheld or Stand-Mounted

Wet/Dry

21.58 x 4.8 x 9.29 in.

21.58 lbs.

MX FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery

6 in.

790 and 1,550 rpm

Handheld

When attached to the M18 FUEL™ HAMMERVAC™ 1 1/8-in. Dedicated Dust Extractor

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 FUEL™ HAMMERVAC™ 1-in. Dedicated Dust Extractor

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

Milwaukee Tool, M18 FUEL™ 1-1/8” SDS Plus Rotary Hammer w/ ONE-KEY™

40 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

SPECIFICATION GUIDE: CONCRETE SAWS

For more information visit CONC.me/cutoffsaws

Company & Product Name

Atlas Copco, LS 14/LS 16

Type

Max Depth of Cut

Max Blade Size

Wet or Dry Cut

Handheld

5.2 to 6.3 in.

14-16 in.

Water kit with pressure tank available for wet cut applications

Onboard Dust Collector

Power (Engine, Make, Model, Fuel, HP)

Hydraulic

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 Performance Battery

3 1/2 in. depth with 11 1/2 in. width crosscut

Yes

Dust extraction ready, Dust bag included or connect to a vacuum with ease

CORE18v 12.0 Ah Performance Battery

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 Performance Battery

Handheld

5-6 in.

14-16 in.

Water kit is available to provide a supply of cooling water where needed

Handheld

3 1/4 in.

9 in.

7 3/4 in.

20 in.

Bosch, GKS18V-26LN PROFACTOR 18v Strong Arm 7-1/4 in. Blade Left Circular Saw

Handheld

2 5/8 in.

7 1/4 in.

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. width crosscut

Bosch, PROFACTOR GCM18v-12SDN 18v Surgeon 12-in. Dual-Bevel Sliding Miter Saw

Miter Saw

Chicago Pneumatic, Cut-Off Saws – SAW 14/SAW 16 DEWALT, DCS690X2, 9-in. 60v Flexvolt Max Cut-Off Saw EDCO, DS-20

Hydraulic

No

6,500 rpm

Wet

No

13 hp Gasoline or 7.5 hp, 230v Electric

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 CrakChaser™ Random Crack Saw

Walk-Behind

1 1/2 in.

1/2 in. (13 mm) wide, 8-in. (203 mm) diameter

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

Husqvarna, K1 PACE Power 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

Milwaukee Tool, MX FUEL 14-in.

Cut-Off Saw

Handheld

5 in.

14 in.

Wet & Dry

SKIL, 7 in. Worm Drive SKILSAW

Handheld

2 in.

7 in.

Wet & Dry

Dust Management System

AC Power, 15A, with 10 ft. cord

Walk-Behind

2 in.

7 in.

Wet & Dry

Dust Management System

AC Power, 15A, with 1.5 ft cord

Handheld

2 3/4 in.

9 in.

Wet (water connection with shut-off valve and quick connector)

Walk-Behind

7 1/2 in.

20 in.

Hydraulic

Handheld

8 in.

20 in.

Hydraulic

Walk-Behind

3 in.

10 in.

V-Twin 479CC, 16 hp Vanguard

SKIL, 7 in. Walk-Behind Worm Drive SKILSAW STIHL, TSA 230 Battery-Operated Cordless Cut-Off Machine U.S. SAWS, FSB-150H Walk-Behind Saw U.S. SAWS, 21 in. Hydraulic Handheld Saw U.S. SAWS, JS-160 Propane Powered Joint Clean-Out Saw

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

No

M18 FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery MX FUEL™ REDLITHIUM™ Battery

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

36 V Lithium-Ion Battery Technology

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 41

FORM YOUR BUSINESS

»

BY GEN SIMMONS

How To Select Construction Safety Software

Adobe Stock Photos | metamorworks

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?

42 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

10 TIPS TO SELECT THE RIGHT SAFETY MANAGEMENT SOLUTION Choose safety management software that: • 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.

• 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

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

on leading indicators. Leading indicator data can help you create a proactive safety program where you can stop potential safety issues before something happens.

• 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

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

•

•

•

•

•

can help take action to protect your people and equipment.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.

• 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.

• 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 integrate their maintenance repair shop software with a safety management solution.

As inspections are performed, any failed items can be sent directly to the maintenance software. From there, fleet managers can add the alert to a work order for a

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

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.

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.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR Gen Simmons is a technical product manager for Heavy Construction Systems Specialists Inc.

For more information visit CONC.me/ safetytech

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 43

Idea IdeaFile File ® Trench Drain System The Better Option Over Polymer Concrete • U NMATCHED in Strength - Compressive Strength – 35% greater - Flexural Strength – 80% greater - Tensile Strength – 78% greater • 1.5 times S T RONGER • 70% LIG HTER • 1.7 times less thermal expansion • S H ATTERPROOF

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

BACKPACK CONCRETE VIBRATOR • 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

• A hinged mount pivots the engine for comfort

• No Gas Headaches

• Low oil shut off system prevents damage

• 70 yds3 per charge 1-1/2” Head, 7’ Whip

• Weighs only 29 lbs.

• Head sizes up to 3 in. diameter

denverconcretevibrator.com

• Instant power produces less noise and zero emission for a safer workspace

800.36.JOSAM | www.josam.com

THE MUST HAVE FOR CONCRETE REPAIR 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.

800.282.5828 - www.quikrete.com

44 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

Idea File

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.

www.crafco.com

NEW OZTEC BP-45 BACKPACK AND RUBBERHEAD® WITH OPTIONAL EXTENSION PIECE 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.

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 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 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!

Oztec Industries, Inc. 65 Channel Drive · Port Washington, NY 11050 1-800-533-9055 - 516-883-8857 - Fax 516-883-7857

www.oztec.com

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 45

Idea File

Curb CO2 at the Source, Achieve Sustainability Goals, Reduce Costs with GCP 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.

Concrete Pump Attachment FEATURES HYDRAULIC SQUEEZE PUMP

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.

Ideal for: g g g g g g

ICF Block fill

Form and pour Driveways Basements Shotcrete applications

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.

Contractors can pump materials 250 feet horizontally and as high as 50 feet.

The receiving hopper includes a hydraulic agitator that keeps the mix well-blended, ensuring aggregate and sand stay evenly suspended throughout the mix.

Blastcrete Equipment LLC has been manufacturing safe, reliable and user-friendly solutions for the refractory and shotcrete industries for more than 60 years.

866.899.2418 | International 256.371.4950

46 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

Idea File GOT TRIP HAZARDS? CPM-8 CRETE-PLANER® Milling Machine

Available in Gas, Electric, and Propane

PROTECTION AGAINST THE ELEMENTS PECORA-DECK HB1000 • Fast cure allowing for quicker return to service • High impact and abrasion resistance for use in heavy duty vehicular and pedestrian areas

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.

• 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

KOMPLETAMERICA.COM

WWW.PECORA.COM CPM-8 + VAC 200 + GENERATOR = PROBLEM SOLVED!

VAC 200

THE WORLD’S GATHERING PLACE FOR ADVANCING CONCRETE

REGISTRATION is now OPEN OCTOBER 23-27, 2022

Hyatt Regency Dallas, Dallas, TX, USA

For more information and to register, please visit aciconvention.org. www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 47

Idea File

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 confidence 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.

48 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

Idea File MEET BROKK 70 THE MINI SUPER HERO

Packed with demolition power, the BROKK 70 is the perfect solution for safe and efficient demolition in very confined spaces.

NEED TO GET A CONCRETE REPAIR PROJECT DONE FAST? A Hydrodemolition robot can complete the job 25x faster than jackhammers.

Distributed by:

Brokk Inc. | 1-360-794-1277 info@brokkinc.com | www.brokk.com

Brokk Inc. | 1-360-794-1277 info@brokkinc.com | www.brokk.com

MINNICH’S VERSATILE INNOVATIONS HELP MEET TODAY’S CONCRETE PLACEMENT CHALLENGES Minnich Manufacturing, the leading manufacturer of concrete dowel pin drills, concrete vibrators and vibrator monitoring systems, is dedicated to helping concrete contractors maximize efficiency.

Minnich’s Stinger and Controlled Speed Vibrator (CSV) are just two examples of how the company’s concrete innovations serve customers.

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.

For more information, visit www.minnich-mfg.com

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JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

CONCRETE CONTRACTOR 49

THE LAST PLACEMENT

»

BY BRAD HUMPHREY

The Cost of Consistency

W Adobe Stock/iushakovsky

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.

The consistency 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.

• Lining out the steps or phases of completion that will be most successful.

• Assessing his or her crew power; “Who do I have to do specific tasks that will bring us the best chance to ‘win’?”

• Confirming that all the needed equipment, tools, materials, components, safety cones/barricades, etc. are available and in working order.

• Confirming the location of needed material plants, supply stores, legal and most safe routes to and from our yard, etc.

50 CONCRETE CONTRACTOR

• 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?

• 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: • First, study your job folder and look for every detail that you can confirm and record what concerns or questions you have.

• 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.

• 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.

JULY/AUGUST/SEPTEMBER 2022

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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.

• 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 job!

Here’s to paying the cost of consistency! 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.

www.ForConstructionPros.com/Concrete

QUIKRETE® 5000 Concrete Mix is a commercial grade blend of cement, sand and gravel, designed for applications requiring high early strength gain. QUIKRETE® 5000 Concrete Mix has a walk-on time of 10 – 12 hours, and it is ideal for cold weather applications.

For more product information, visit

quikrete.com