The general sentiment around construction and modern technology is that the industry has been slow to embrace it. While this is true of the past, the current and future construction industry is all about modern technology. Not only does technology help to make the industry safer (something that has been a struggle for a very long time), but it is helping contractors to take back control of their budgets, to make smarter choices about project planning and equipment and is, consequently, pushing the green-construction trend forward. The purpose of this presentation is to provide a summary on the current technologies being used in the construction industry with a focus on concrete and to dig even further as to how these can be applied to repair projects. It will provide case studies on how using technology to bring ambient and concrete temperature, relative humidity and strength (among other) data online can help contractors be more efficient.
Concrete is one of the most versatile building materials in the world and can produce floor slabs that provide an excellent platform for floor coverings and coatings. Water is an essential component of every concrete mixture. Without it, concrete is not workable and finishable. If water is not used, the cement in the mixture cannot hydrate and gain the required strength. However, once placement, finishing, and curing is complete, remaining moisture in the concrete can adversely affect the installation of flooring materials and the behavior of the slab itself. This webinar will discuss the importance of water in a concrete mixture and review a few concrete problems that water can cause, such as shrinkage, curling, ASR, delamination, dusting, and scaling. In addition, attendees will learn the design and construction considerations that can be used to minimize the potentially adverse effects of moisture in concrete.
After only six years of service, a 6-foot long narrow piece of concrete spalled off an exposed slab edge of a 680-foot tall high-rise in Texas, and fell 160 feet to the podium below. The spall was attributed to premature corrosion at the drip edge. The building featured approximately 9,200 feet of exposed slab edge over its height. Given the potential risk to safety and property of additional concrete spalls, the Owner requested forensic investigations, which (1) identified other areas with signs of similar distress and (2) determined the underlying problem of low reinforcement cover at the drip edge was pervasive. In response, repair options were developed to address the problem and restore intended durability. Given the building height, difficult exterior-only access, downtown environment, and post-tensioning anchors along the slab edge, the repair design and construction both had unique challenges to consider and overcome.
This update includes fall protection requirements for low slope roofs, façade access, and ladders as well as a timeline for compliance. This seminar not only addresses the recent 2017 updates to 29 CFR Part 1910 General Industry, but is an overview of all fall protection standards found in both Part 1910 for General Industry and Part 1926 Construction. The components of a Comprehensive Managed Fall Protection Program are also presented as well as specific requirements for the fall protection options available. Because many in the industry either do not understand the standards, are unaware of the available OSHA interpretations, or prefer not to spend money training their employees, misinformation is being spread. This seminar provides the truth about the required implementation of the updated fall protection standards and the standards that remain in place.
The prestressed beams in the Hampton Roads Bridge Tunnel Approach Spans were fabricated in about 1960 (west bound lane) and 1970 (east bound lane). The spans are 50-ft and 75-ft, respectively. The brackish water environment caused corrosion and failure of the bottom strands and deterioration and spalling of the cover concrete in many beams. A project in 2018 strengthened 30 of the more deteriorated beams as an alternative to posting or replacing the bridges. Carbon fiber composite wrap (CFCW) and external post-tensioning (PT) were used to strengthen the beams. Prior to construction, a PT mockup was done with one 50-ft (flexible filler) and one 75-ft (grout) beam to demonstrate that the contractor had the materials, equipment and staff to successfully do the external PT. This presentation describes the project’s mockups and construction and the anticipated increase in strength to be obtained from application of the CFCW and external PT.
Construction errors such as the misplacement of reinforcing steel and modifications like the addition of openings traditionally required intrusive repair methods. The addition of structural steel support or enlargement of the concrete elements is often not aesthetically pleasing or practical and the cost and time impacts are onerous. FRP strengthening solutions are non-intrusive, practical, and can be implemented quickly without major impact on the other building trades. The presentation will guide the audience through the feasibility assessment of FRP strengthening and implementation of the strengthening solution. The roles of the various parties, including the Engineer of Record, the FRP Design Engineer, the General Contractor, the Structural Contractor, and the FRP Installer, will be illustrated. Photographs of completed repairs will be presented.
Dealing with water is always a challenge when constructing a new structure. Whether it is water infiltration that was expected, or water manages to circumvent pre-planned waterproofing methods, it can wreak havoc on the building and interfere with construction schedules. The term “belt and suspenders” is often used in waterproofing and there is a good reason for it. Water chooses the path of least resistance, and many times that path is not discovered until it is too late. There are many methods of water control that can be implemented before, during and after a structure is completed. This presentation will focus on water control methods for new construction that can be implemented during or after the construction process.
Repairing and extending the service life of concrete in severe environments first requires that one understands what may be considered severe why it may be considered so. This presentation will discuss the ways in which different organizations and technical committees around the world define ‘severe environments’ for concrete structures; types of deterioration mechanisms and materials-related distress that may severely and quickly deteriorate concrete, type of structures with potentially severe environments, and U.S. geographical considerations.
A significant percentage of repairs are performed during the course of constructing new structures. Once a construction anomaly or error occurs the first concerns are for life safety and schedule impact. A review of the steps necessary to successfully perform repairs and minimize impacts to the ongoing construction. Examples of challenging problems and the traditional and non-traditional solutions to these problems will be discussed.
Moisture coming from, or through a concrete floor slab, can lead to conditions that are damaging to floor coverings, coatings, the building’s environment, and the ability to store moisture sensitive products directly on a floor slab. In this webinar, attendees will learn where potentially damaging levels of moisture come from, how moisture migrates, and what design measures are an absolute necessity to minimize the risk of moisture-related problems.