New Book Outlines Proper Practices for Quality Flatwork

PCA's new Concrete Finisher’s Guide provides the best practices for placing, finishing, and curing concrete flatwork. A replacement for the popular Cement Mason’s Guide, the Concrete Finisher’s Guide expands beyond a step-by-step explanation on finishing concrete and provides information onmaterials, tools , and safety procedures. The book covers the entire construction process, from selecting materials to finishing concrete flatwork and building concrete steps. The guide's appendix provides answers to frequently asked questions and tips on estimating the volume of concrete necessary for a project. Click here for more information or to purchase the Concrete Finisher's Guide.

See special offer below.

Building Tips for Trouble-Free Concrete Slabs

Concrete is the material of choice for driveways, sidewalks, patios, steps, and for garages, basements, and industrial floors. It is relatively inexpensive to install and provides an attractive, durable surface that is easy to maintain. Proper attention to the standard practices and procedures for constructing exterior or interior concrete can yield a concrete surface that will provide long-lasting, superior performance.

Click here for a list of building tips, adapted from the new Concrete Finisher's Guide that will aid in the construction of quality concrete projects.

Chemical Path of Ettringite Formation in Heat-Cured Mortar and Its Relationship to Expansion (SN2526)
Delayed Ettringite Formation (DEF) is a deterioration mechanism that occasionally affects concrete exposed to high curing temperatures. To provide a better understanding of DEF, research in this doctoral dissertation investigated mortar and concrete systems made with various mixing and curing parameters to observe detailed changes in pore solution chemistry, solid phase development, and changes in physical properties. This holistic approach revealed that relationships exist between the physical properties and expansive behavior. More.

Volumetric Measurement in Water Bath – An Inappropriate Method to Measure Autogenous Strain of Cement Paste (SN2925)
Shrinkage and expansion of hydrating cementitious materials are important characteristics to understand to control cracking. One technique for evaluating autogenous strain places fresh cementitious pastes in an elastic rubber membrane immersed in water. The change in volume can then be monitored by the amount of water displaced by the immersed sample, for example by measuring its weight change. Volumetric and linear measurements of autogenous strain should in principle give identical results. However, results from the volumetric method are typically 3 to 5 times the results from the linear technique. By performing measurements in a paraffin oil bath instead of water, absorption through the elastic membrane was eliminated, and similar results between volumetric and linear measurements were obtained. More.

Regional Programs Coming to Canada

CAC and PCA are pleased to announce that Troubleshooting Concrete: Solutions to Field Problems and Concrete Floors on Ground , our two newest 1-day regional concrete programs, will be held May 4 and 5, 2006, in Toronto, Ontario. You can sign up for either program individually or attend them both at a discounted rate. Space is limited, so register now. More.

HPC: Build Fast, Build to Last

The 2006 Concrete Bridge Conference will be held May 7-10, 2006, in Reno, Nev. More than 75 papers in multi-track technical sessions will feature state-of-the-art topics fresh from design boards, research laboratories and construction sites, presented by experts from all facets of the concrete industry.

For a complete listing of conferences, click here.

How does rain affect fresh concrete?

Q: A contractor placed a concrete driveway for me last night. Before they could start the finishing work, it rained for several minutes. We covered everything we could but the concrete still got quite wet. In the end, they were able to finish (floating and edging), but I am really concerned how this will hold up long term.

A: Rainfall during placement of concrete flatwork can present challenges to achieving quality concrete. Potential outcomes range from no damage to a weakened nondurable surface. Only time will tell at which end of the range your specific situation will fall. Click here for descriptions of a best case scenario and a worst case scenario.

Click here for more Concrete FAQs.

Performance Specification Research Report Released

The RMC Research Foundation and NRMCA have released a report titled
Preparation of a Performance-Based Specification for Cast-in-Place Concrete, culminating a year-long study by John Bickley, Doug Hooton and Ken Hover. The report, which marks the completion of Phase I of a two-phase study, provides details of a literature review of current practice to produce performance concrete codes and specifications by others in the U.S., Canada and other countries. The study includes a survey of test methods in use and under development that can be used to confirm performance. To download an electronic copy of the Phase I report and other P2P- related documents click here.

The research team is currently working on Phase II of the project, during which they will develop specific code and specification change submittals that can be forwarded to ACI Committees 301 and 318 for consideration. Phase II will also result in a model performance-based specification that can be used by engineers and architects to develop project specifications.

Aggregates in Concrete Latest in Modern Concrete Technology Series

Since concrete aggregates typically make up about 70% of the mass of concrete, they are vitally important to understand, especially in terms of how their properties affect the properties of concrete. The primary aim of this book, while still providing thorough descriptions of the aggregates themselves (both natural and synthetic), is to explain the many ways that aggregates affect fresh and hardened concrete. Published by Taylor & Francis in 2005. More.

Concrete Finishing Combination

Purchase two of PCA's most popular handbooks on concrete finishing and save $15. The new Concrete Finisher's Guide (EB122) and Finishing Concrete with Color and Texture (PA124) combine the best practices of producing quality flatwork and decorative finishes. Regularly $25 and $30 respectively, you can get both for only $40. Click here for the special combination price.

Each year World of Concrete exhibitors pit their products against the best in the industry to compete in Hanley Wood's Most Innovative Products Contest. Now in its fourth year, the contest features 144 products in 7 categories representing a wide array of innovation from self-cleaning concrete to concrete countertops. The winner’s are being selected this month and will be announced in the sponsor’s upcoming March/April issue of the Concrete & Masonry Construction Products magazine.

Click here for selected innovative concrete materials.