Order a Concrete Boom Pump from the Experts

Did you know that you can order a concrete boom pump from one of the leading commercial concrete contractors?  The Conco Companies make it easy to get your job expertly serviced using one of our state-of-the art concrete pumps along with our highly trained ACPA certified pump operators. 

In order to accommodate your project specifications, there are a few things we need to know before we bring a pump to your jobsite.  We require answers to a list of questions that include:

·        Are there any overhead obstructions such as power lines (we need a minimum 20 ft. clearance) and/or trees? 

·        Are there any low clearance bridges/buildings (need 13’ 6” clearance) we should know about?

·         What size boom will you need for your project?

·         Is there safe access for the truck into the jobsite?

·         In addition is there a flat area with enough stable ground to set up the pump as well as accommodate the outriggers?

·     We have further requirements for setting up so be sure to check with us or see our website for the complete details.

Other information we require is what type of concrete is going to be placed as this will determine what size pump and system will be needed.  We will also want to know the amount of concrete yardage (remember up to a yard will be lost in the pump) and who your supplier will be as well as the delivery time.  Keep in mind, our pumps need a minimum of ½ hour setup time and our large pumps or difficult setups can require additional time. 

We will want to know how far away the truck will sit from the pour so we can bring extra elbows or special pipe if the setup calls for it.   Furthermore, you need to schedule enough manpower to assist with setup and breakdown.  You can expect about a yard of concrete to be left in the pump and it is your responsibility to remove.  In addition you will assume all liability and charges for any damages and removal of the pump if it becomes stuck.  Please see our website or contact us for more information. 

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. and got our start in the Bay Area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have taken a leading role as one of the top concrete contractors in the region. We currently serve California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado.

What Does LEEDS CS Platinum Certification Mean?

Since one of the projects that The Conco Companies have been busy providing a range of concrete services for is the first San Francisco building to be pre-certified LEED Platinum, we will explain some of the criteria.  Although the Salesforce Tower is not scheduled for completion until sometime in early 2017, it has already been awarded LEED’s CS Platinum.  

LEED certifications are awarded by the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), and it is an acronym for Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design.  The USGBC defines it as a “green building certification program that recognizes best-in-class building strategies and practices.”  Under their rating system there are four certification levels for new construction, certified, silver, and gold with platinum as the highest rating.  The categories used to judge a building encompass the following: sustainable sites, water efficiency, energy and atmosphere, materials and resources and indoor environmental quality.  

The USGBC explains that Core and Shell (CS) is the green building system used to certify the sustainable design and construction of speculative developments and core and shell buildings.  It covers the construction of the base building elements, such as the structure, envelope along with the building-level systems that include things like central HVAC, etc. 

The Salesforce Tower’s designation for the pre-certification LEED Core & Shell (CS) Platinum springs from the fact that the skyscraper will in some cases exceed the levels of sustainability that have been established under the most up-to-date, stringent building codes.  The Tower is an exceptional example of sustainable design, construction and financial feasibility. Highlights of the new skyscraper will include an under-floor air distribution system, which will greatly reduce the HVAC and fan horsepower energy that is required.  Another innovative feature is the comprehensive water recycling system in the tower that will help to reduce water consumption 30% below code inside the building. 

Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We have built our reputation with superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services that benefit from our vast experience.  With four regional offices, we serve California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Colorado.  

Source: usgbc.org/Docs/Archive/General/Docs3355.pdf

Tower Cranes Assist in the Construction of Skyscrapers

Extremely large tower cranes are used in the construction of today’s super tall skyscrapers such as the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles and the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco.  Tower cranes assist with lifting heavy loads of steel, concrete, generators and other building materials and can be erected to grow taller as a construction project moves upward.  The typical maximum unsupported height of a tower crane is 265 ft. and the maximum reach of the jib is 230 ft.  However a tower crane can grow right along with the height of the skyscraper’s construction once it is secured to the building.  A tower crane’s maximum lifting strength is generally around 19.8 tons.  

Although there are different types of tower cranes, for the most part, the components are the same.  The mast is the main supporting tower of the crane and is made from steel trussed sections.  The engine that allows the crane to rotate is called the slewing unit and sits on top of the mast with the operating cabin and controls just above that.  The jib is the operating arm and is the piece that extends horizontally from the mast.  The two common types of jibs are the luffing jib that moves up and down the crane and a fixed jib that is equipped with a trolley to move materials horizontally.  The hook is used to connect materials to the crane, and large concrete weights behind the mast are used to counteract the weight of the materials being lifted by the hook.     

A tower crane must be stabilized at the jobsite before it is ready for use.  This involves constructing a concrete pad equipped with large anchor bolts embedded into the concrete to secure the base of the crane.  When the tower crane reaches its maximum height, it can be tied to the side of the structure with steel collars and moved upward to accommodate the upward needs of the project.

The Conco Companies’ mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise and unsurpassed quality to each project. We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development.

Sources:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Crane_(machine), science.howstuffworks.com/transport/engines-equipment/tower-crane.htm

Why Roman Concrete has Survived for Centuries

Concrete, in one form or another, has been used throughout time starting with some of the earliest civilizations. While we are all familiar with the impressive architectural structures from ancient Roman times, one mystery that intrigues people today is why the buildings’ concrete lasted so long.  In contrast, modern concrete has a lifespan of about 120 years, not 2,000 years.  

We have known that ancient Roman concrete was made from volcanic sand and mortar, but recently, researchers went one step further to discover why the concrete has survived for so many years.  According to the new study reported on the Ancient-Origins’ website, a group of engineers and researchers mixed up a batch of mortar using a recipe from the ancient Roman architect, Vitruvius.  The mortar was left to harden for six months before it was examined. 

Studying the mortar under microscopes, researchers discovered that clusters of a dense mineral had formed during the Roman process.  They explain that the “strätlingite crystals, formed by the volcanic sand as it binds with limestone, prevented the spread of cracks by reinforcing interfacial zones,” further adding that “interfacial zones are weak links inside the concrete.”

Roman builders discovered that Pozzolonic ash from the Alban Hills’ Pozzolane Rosse ash flow created the best mortar.  In fact Augustus, the first Roman emperor, decreed in 27 A.D. that Pozzolonic ash be the standard used in Roman buildings.  With the benefit of these materials, the Romans built numerous architectural wonders including the Pantheon entirely from concrete and without using reinforcing steel such as we do today.  

Furthermore, the concrete manufactured by the Romans was more environmentally friendly as it only needed to be heated to 900 degrees Celsius as opposed to today’s concrete that must be heated to 1,450 degrees.  Ancient-Origins speculated in 2013 that, “Stronger, longer-lasting modern concrete, made with less fuel and less release of carbon into the atmosphere, may be the legacy of a deeper understanding of how the Romans made their incomparable concrete.”  

When your project demands exceptional services and the best value, The Conco Companies can deliver. We partner with clients on every project from the pre-construction stage right through to final completion offering cost-effective solutions to meet the ever-changing demands of the industry. We have four regional offices serving California, Colorado, Nevada, Oregon, and Washington.

Sources:pnas.org/content/111/52/18484.abstract, history.com/news/the-secrets-of-ancient-roman-concrete, ancient-origins.net/news-history-archaeology/researchers-discover-secret-recipe-roman-concrete-020141