What Are The Top Uses of Shotcrete?

Shotcrete is not a material, but a technique of applying concrete at high velocities through a hose. This application method shaves time and money and is gaining popularity in the building community each day. Though shotcrete can be used on almost any concrete project, there are a number of projects where the use of shotcrete is often the best choice.

Here are five projects that are ideal for shotcrete usage:

Repair and Restoration Projects

Shotcrete is a fantastic method for repair and restoration projects because of its versatility and ease of application. The key is to ensure that the new concrete material is well blended with the existing material to ensure that the repair will stand up to the test of time.

Pools and Water Features

Water-resistant concrete is ideal for structures like pools, dams, reservoirs, and marine-based structures. Because shotcrete can be placed directly against soil, it is the ideal material for home pools. Shotcrete doesn’t rely on forms and molds, so it can be used to create very attractive shapes at an economical price.

Skate Parks

Like pools, shotcrete can be used to create the smooth, tall curves needed for skateboard ramps and parks.

Landscaping

Shotcrete can be used to create interesting architectural shapes and landscape structures like sculptures, walkways, and any project that requires flexible and durable materials.

New Construction

Shotcrete greatly reduces the cost of construction projects and offers designers the ability to create curved, irregular shapes that are also structurally sound. Shotcrete can save both time and money while making innovative architectural decisions feasible.

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. and we 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. Our offices serve California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

 

Update on Union Station Luxury Project and 2017 Events

In 2014, the Union Station neighborhood added a luxurious 21-story apartment building to its already bustling array of buildings. The Conco Companies skillfully executed concrete work for the new building, which featured 288 apartment units, a 260 car garage, and 7,000 sqft of retail space. Residents will now enjoy an impressive list of amenities including a gym, dog run, and concierge services.

Union Station was one of the most highly anticipated redevelopment projects in Denver (with a combined cost of over $7 billion dollars). Today, Union Station hosts a wide array of family friendly events for the community—many of them within the station’s historical 100 year old Great Hall.

Here is just a taste of some of the interesting upcoming events at Union Station in 2017:

New Year’s Eve Countdown Party

Welcome in 2017 in style by attending the grand New Year’s Eve party in the glamorous halls and chic ballrooms of Union Station.

Stars & Stripes Express Fest

A great free, family-friend public event featuring live music, entertainment, local beer.

Yoga on the Plaza

Every Saturday during the summer of 2017, The Oxford Club, Spa & Salon will be sponsoring free yoga on the plaza. This event is open to the public and mimosa specials will be offered after the session.

Oktoberfest

After expanding Union Station’s Terminal Bar in summer 2017, the venue will be hosting a grand Oktoberfest celebration sponsored by New Belgium Brewing.

Halloween Parade and Party

Finally, rounding off 2017 is the Union Station Halloween bash. Enjoy a family friendly event featuring trick-or-treating, costume parades, shops for the kids, and, of course, a costume contest.

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

Source: unionstationindenver.com/news-events/events/

Impressive Concrete Structures in the United States

Concrete has been used as a building material for centuries. From early ancient structures, such as the Pantheon and Coliseum, to modern day masterpieces concrete is the material of choice for durable, affordable, and versatile construction. While the world is filled with impressive concrete structures, some of the world’s most stunning structures can be found right here in the United States. Here are five that we think are pinnacles of modern concrete construction.

Grand Coulee Dam, Washington State 

Boasting over 47 billion pounds of concrete, the Grand Coulee Dam is one of the largest concrete structures in the world. With that much concrete, you could build a highway from Seattle to Miami!

The Pentagon, Washington DC  

Much of the concrete filler for the Pentagon project was dredged from the grounds of the project and the Potomac River. In the end, the project used over one billion pounds of concrete.

The Venetian Hotel, Las Vegas

In 1999, the Venetian Hotel project captured the Guinness World Record for the longest continuous concrete pour at 21,000 cubic yards.

Wilshire Grand, Los Angeles

In February 2014, The Conco Companies conquered the Venetian Hotel’s continuous concrete pour world record of 21,000 cubic yards by 200 cubic yards on the Wilshire Grand project in Los Angeles. The 82 million pounds of concrete and was poured in just 18½ hours.

Trump Tower International Hotel and Tower, Chicago

The Trump Tower in Chicago, IL, completed in 2009, is the world’s tallest concrete-reinforced building. Weighing in at an impressive 720 million pounds of concrete, case studies have been dedicated to this incredible architectural feat.

At The Conco Companies, we are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  Our experience includes providing services for commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Sources:constructionchat.co.uk/articles/heaviest-concrete-structures-in-the-world/, chicagotribune.com/2008-08-18/news/0808170445_1_trump-tower-concrete-trump-international-hotel

5 Concrete Sustainability Facts

Builders looking to work with environmentally conscious materials should look no further than concrete. Concrete is abundant, locally available, and conveniently highly energy efficient and sustainable. Don’t just take our word for it, check out these five facts about concrete’s sustainability and see why concrete outshines the rest.

Thermal Mass

Thermal mass measures a materials capacity to absorb and release heat. Concrete has a high thermal mass, allowing it to absorb lots of heat and then release that heat slowly over time. This creates a consistent temperature (eliminates wild temperate fluctuations) and reduces the energy needs of the building.

Emission Free

Concrete is completely chemically inert once fully cured; thus, it does not contain any toxic chemicals nor will it release any harmful gases or toxic materials if it comes in contact with outside chemical agents.

Recyclable

Concrete can be broken down into an aggregate dust or large chunks and reused as material for roads, walls, and other applications. This, combined with a culture of recycling in the construction community, creates a situation where very little concrete ends up in landfills. This is great because concrete is not biodegradable.

Cost Effective

Given how durable, versatile, energy efficient, and low maintenance concrete is, it is one of the most cost-effective building materials to use in the long-term.

Low Carbon Footprint

Innovations in concrete, such as low carbon cement, combined with its unparalleled sustainability features listed above make concrete one of the lowest carbon footprint building materials. In fact, concrete is the building material of choice for LEED certified buildings: possibly contributing 20 points towards the minimum 26 points necessary to quality for LEED certification.

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and 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.

What's the Difference Between Cement and Concrete?

Concrete is one of the most utilized man-made materials on the planet. Used for buildings, sidewalks, and infrastructure worldwide, concrete is a hearty material comprised of a mixture of aggregates (any coarse particles used in construction) and paste. Common concrete aggregates include sand and gravel and common pastes are composed of water and cement. That’s right, contrary to popular belief; cement is actually an ingredient in concrete itself.

Although the terms are often used interchangeably, concrete and cement couldn’t be more different. Concrete is the material that we know and love, whereas cement is simply a binding agent used in approximately 15% of concrete to create its signature hardness. Cement is typically composed of finely ground limestone, silica, alumina, and iron oxide.

Types of Cement

There are two common forms of cement: hydraulic and non-hydraulic cement. Hydraulic cement hardens when it comes into contact with water and ultimately forms a water resistant barrier. This is the kind of cement most people are familiar with. Non-hydraulic cement does not harden when in the presence of water. The most common form of cement used in concrete, Portland cement, is a form of hydraulic cement. While most forms of Portland cement are very similar, there are varieties of cement which can be used for specific construction needs:

• Sulphate-resistant cement
• Rapid hardening cement
• Air Entraining cement
• Colored cement
• Low-heat cement
• Hydrographic cement
• Blast furnace slag cement
• White cement (created by using materials with no grey raw materials, such as iron or manganese)
• Quick setting cement

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and 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. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

What is a Concrete Pump?

A concrete pump is a machine which transfers mixed concrete (i.e. in liquid form) through pipes via a pumping action. Previously, when concrete was needed on a jobsite the materials were mixed onsite and transported via wheelbarrow or bucket. As you can imagine, this method became very tiresome and expensive for large-scale projects such as high-rises. Thankfully, in 1927 Max Giese and Fritz Hull designed a solution which pumps concrete through pipes from a single concrete source (this design was improved upon in 1957 with dual hydraulic cylinders and remains the standard design today).

Types of Concrete Pumps

There are two main types of concrete pumps: boom pumps and transport pumps.  A boom pump is a concrete pump with a remote-controlled “boom” arm attached and a line pump is a concrete pump that is attached to a vehicle. The principle difference between these two types of concrete pumps comes down to the additional appendage equipment attached to the pump and volume. Boom pumps can pump at higher volumes than transport pumps and are typically used for larger projects. Other concrete pump variations include:

• Mobile concrete pump (truck mounted mobile)
• Stationary pump
• Truck mounted static pump
• Truck mixer concrete pump

Outside of the increased convenience of having concrete pumped to the worksite, concrete pumps offer a number of additional benefits over manual methods. First and foremost, concrete pumps allow for a steady and precise flow of material creating a smooth finish. These tools also help to save time, reduce worker fatigue, and improve the quality of the concrete.

The Conco Companies are one of the leading concrete contractors in the Western U.S. and offer a wide range of quality services and products.  While we tackle projects both big and small, our experience includes providing the complete concrete package for the Levi’s Stadium along with other notable projects.  We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Update on The Mark at 5th & Columbia Project

Since June 2016, The Conco Companies have been supplying concrete services for The Mark at 5^th & Columbia project. As a reminder, the project consists of a 528,000 sqft office space, hotel, and spa scheduled to be completed by April 2017. The building boasts a number of green building features and hopes to seek LEED Gold certification. The initial concrete mat foundation pour, completed in June 2015, required 500 truckloads of concrete alone.

The project is progressing beautifully. As of August 2016, the concrete core stood at its final height (48 stories) and the focus shifted to completing the remaining concrete pours for the structural decks and garages. Remaining concrete pours for the month of August commenced at a pace of 2 per week until Level 28 was reached.  Structural steel was installed in August and roof steel was installed shortly after, bringing an end to the steel erection process.

The project really ramped up in September when concrete pours were increased from 2 per week to 3 per week with the goal of completing all concrete decks up to level 4. This pace continued through October until level 45 concrete cement decks had been successfully poured.

Parts of the garage, which have been poured, are being polished with final paint and signage. The next major project milestones include the rooftop mechanical and structural assemblies, podium construction for levels 1 through 5, mid and high-rise elevators, and the removal of cranes as the project moves onward.

Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western U.S. and we 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. Our offices serve California, Colorado, Oregon, Washington and Nevada.

Can Concrete Be Recycled?

Ever wonder what happens to all of that concrete after a large demolition or construction project? While it was once commonplace to find this discarded concrete in landfills across the globe, today more and more companies are acknowledging the environmental benefits of recycling concrete. Each year, over 265 gallons of cement is manufactured for each person on the planet. To put that into context, the United States produces over 325 million tons of concrete demolition waste each year and recycles close to 140 million tons of concrete, thus, not only can concrete be recycled, it is highly recommended.

Recycled concrete remains cost effective and environmentally conscious. The environmental benefits of recycling concrete include:

• Keeps concrete, which is not biodegradable, out of landfills
• Saves water by reusing premixed concrete instead of mixing new material
• Reduces the need for gravel mining

Concrete Recycling Process

Surprisingly simple, the concrete recycling process involves breaking down concrete into large pieces, small pieces, or fine particles to be reused for other construction needs. The process of recycling concrete is actually quite simple:

Step 1:  Concrete is collected at the worksite and broken down into smaller pieces using a crushing machine.

Step 2: Non-concrete materials, such as rebar, are sorted from the debris using magnets and other methods.

Step 3: All aggregate pieces are sorted by size.

Larger pieces can be used for erosion control or put through the crushing machine again for further refinement. Smaller pieces can be used as gravel or a base layer for asphalt.

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

Source:  http://www.wbcsdcement.org/pdf/CSI-RecyclingConcrete-FullReport.pdf

An Introduction to LEED Certification

LEED, or Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design, is the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) prestigious rating system which certifies that a building, home, or community meets the highest standards of environmental sustainability. The certification, founded in 1998 and is now acknowledged as a worldwide standard, has had a major impact on sustainable design standards. In fact, over 1.85 million sqft becomes LEED certified each day¹.

What is LEED Certification?

LEED is essentially rating system created to benchmark the “green” performance of a building. Designed to be a practical framework for accomplishing green building design and construction, LEED focuses on performance in five core tenets:

• Sustainable site development
• Water savings
• Energy efficiency
• Materials selection
• Indoor environmental quality

For each category, the LEED certification system outlines a set of requirements called “credits” and each credit is worth 1 point. At a minimum, a building requires 40 points to achieve a LEED certification and greater certification levels are offered to buildings with more points. The LEED certification levels are as follows:

• Basic Certification 40 – 49 Points
• Silver Certification 50 – 59 Points
• Gold Certification 60 – 79 Points
• Platinum Certification 80 – 110 Points

How and When to use LEED?

Contrary to popular belief, the LEED rating system is not just for commercial buildings. It is also appropriate for implementing sustainable solutions in neighborhoods, community projects, and even residential homes. Additionally, the core tenets of the LEED certification can be applied to projects at all points of the development process—from initial designs and renovations to simple improvements.

What are the benefits of LEED certification?

Certifying a home or building using the LEED system offers sizeable financial, environmental and health benefits for both the building owners and the planet.

• Financial: Save money with an energy efficient building which uses less power and less water.  Also, LEED buildings may qualify for additional tax rebates and incentives at the local level.
• Environmental: LEED buildings conserve energy and water.
• Health: LEED buildings use recycled or renewable materials which are healthier and safer for occupants.
  

The Conco Companies’ mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and 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. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.