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First Federal Savings Bank, Sheridan, Wyo., asked Doug Carlton if there was an overlay that could improve their cracked, uneven parking lot. He told them no. The crack pattern shows a problem beyond random cracking. He guessed that the concrete is too thin or not properly reinforced, or that the subgrade had failed.
Glass-fiber reinforced concrete became a commercially viable material in the early 1970s. But it would take another decade or two before it became an economically attractive and faster alternative to the heavy and expensive materials traditionally used in commercial buildings.
There is a huge difference between amorphous silica and crystalline silica as far as your health and your concrete is concerned. The difference between the two is at the atomic level.
Nailing this balance project after project takes great effort, but the reward is far more than monetary. Concrete hardscapes last decades, and so do the reputation of the concrete artisans who successfully pave their way into decorative history.
All joking aside, the designer-contractor experience very often does prove to be positive and stimulating. But contractors can have hopes and dreams for a world where they are more in sync with designers.
Large parts of the United States recently experienced a brutal winter of cold temperatures and record snow and ice accumulations.
As we come out of the winter, I always deal with multiple polishing projects where the concrete was placed during cold temperatures. Although there are ACI standards for cold-weather placements, I still experience quite a few slabs that have issues related to cold weather.
Metallic floor coatings are a very exotic-looking flooring option. Unlike with solid-color pigment or chips, no two metallic floors are alike.
Complete replacement of the Terminal Building carpet was being considered, but a surprising discovery revealed that underneath the stained and worn carpet tiles laid a once gorgeous cement-based terrazzo floor.
The winner of the IIDA award for Best Product Design in the Outdoor Seating category was Sticks + Stones’ newest signature piece, the Social Circle. The new Social Circle Firepit is a versatile and low-profile concrete piece that sits up to six people comfortably on beautiful western cedar and can be installed both indoors or out.
