Exciting Career Opportunity for a Qualified BIM Technician

The Conco Companies are seeking a full-time BIM Technician for our Kent, Washington office.  Candidates must have 2-5 years of structural or architectural drafting experience using Revit software and be prepared to perform the job’s essential duties satisfactorily.   

Along with the 2-5 years of drafting experience with Revit, the position’s minimum requirements include experience with reading and developing structural or architectural plan sets and details.  Applicants also need to have a familiarity with the building process in order to create detailed 3D models.   

As you will work as a team, you also will need to have excellent verbal and written communication skills.  In addition the job requires computer literacy and experience with Microsoft Word and Excel.  A working knowledge of AutoCAD is a plus. 

The BIM Technician’s responsibilities include analyzing and comparing architectural and structural design drawings in order to produce vetted concrete models and shop drawings.  Candidates will also work with existing modeling parameters as well as present opportunities for improving standardization.  The position includes proactively managing the drawing development process and providing direction to the junior drafting staff. 

Other essential duties include working with the survey/layout team to transfer data from vetted concrete models to survey points for the field.  The BIM Technician will also assist Project Engineers with drafting RFI’s whenever needed. 

Please see our website for the complete job description and details on how to apply.  You will also find a downloadable application on our site.  As one of the nation’s leading commercial concrete contractors, we provide our employees the opportunity to work on some of the Western United States’ most exciting and challenging projects.  Conco is an equal opportunity employer.   

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services throughout the Western U.S.  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 and are now one of the foremost concrete contractors in the region. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, industrial and public works projects as well as parking structures.

Concrete Pumps are Given a Workout on the Panama Canal Project

While we are not a part of the project, we nevertheless find the engineering feat fascinating on both a professional and personal basis.  The expansion of the Panama Canal will not only double the capacity of the Canal but allow larger ships to pass through it.  The $5.2 billion project is now estimated to be closer to nearly $7 billion, and is the largest project on the canal since it officially opened in 1914.  It is expected to be completed in 2015. 

Once completed, the project will add a third lane of traffic by constructing new lock complexes at each end of the Canal.  On the Pacific side, the lock complex will be located southwest of the existing Miraflores Locks and the other will be east of the existing Gatun Locks.   As part of each lock complex, they contain three chambers that move vessels from sea level to the level of Gatun Lake and back down again.  Wikipedia explains, “Each chamber will have three lateral water-saving basins, for a total of nine basins per lock and 18 basins in total. Just like the existing locks, the new locks and their basins will be filled and emptied by gravity, without the use of pumps.”

What really struck us about this project was a short article by Putzmeister regarding their extensive equipment used on the Panama Canal.  This list includes Twelve Putzmeister Telebelt TB 130’s, one Telebelt TB 200, three 58-Meter Boom Pumps, one 52Z-Meter Boom Pump and four Thom-Katt TK 40 trailer pumps.  All of the equipment was used to construct the two 1,400-foot long by 180-foot wide by 60-foot deep channels that will make up the Canal’s third set of locks. 

We may not be working on the canal but our large pumping and belting divisions based out of Seattle, Northern California and the Washington areas have done their share of big projects.  Just in the last several years, Conco has been a part of many of the more notable construction done on the West Coast. 

Sources:  en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Panama_Canal_expansion_project

Discover the experience of working with one of the top professional commercial concrete contractors in Northern and Southern California, Nevada, Oregon, Colorado and Washington.  The Conco Companies have been in business since 1959 delivering first-rate concrete services and has all the experience and expertise to handle even the most challenging projects. 

How Do Concrete Pumps Work?

The Conco Companies have been working on the Wilshire Grand in Los Angeles, which is slated to become the tallest build west of the Mississippi.  This project has included our world record largest continuous mat pour last February and since then, moving and placing concrete on each level of the skyscraper. 

For help with the job, Conco purchased a new Schwing M31 concretepump that was specifically designed to handle the heavy lifting of concrete loads that in the past needed the assistance of cranes.  Our new tremmie pump has up to 1,100 pounds of capacity for lifting up to 60’ tremmies of 4” 11Ga. safely without a crane assist. 

So exactly how do concrete pumps work?  A concrete pump is a specialized piece of equipment that is designed to handle the heavy weight of concrete and to keep it moving to prevent it from solidifying.  The process starts with a concrete truck discharging concrete into a hopper that is located on the back of the pump truck.  From there the concrete falls through a mesh gate on the hopper that is used to prevent large pieces of rock from moving into the pump truck hoses.  An auger inside the hopper churns the concrete to keep it liquid and flowable. 

Now that the concrete is in the hopper, “it gets sucked into a valve system in small intervals or strokes. As some of the concrete is being sucked into the valve, the concrete before it is being simultaneously pushed through the concrete pipe on the pump truck boom until it reaches the end of the concrete hose and placed where you need it.”   

The concrete placement continues with the pump operator monitoring the process for any blockages and making sure the hopper stays full.  The safety and stability of the pump is provided by the front and back riggers and the ACPA says that, “Setting the outriggers of a concrete pump with placing boom is one of the most critical jobs of the concrete pump operator and should always be done in accordance with the manufacturer’s recommended procedure.”

The Conco Companies have built a reputation in the Los Angeles area with superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services that benefit from our vast experience.  We have been offering premium concrete services throughout the Western U.S. since 1959, and have four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado.

Sources:

everything-about-concrete.com/how-does-a-concrete-pump-truck-work.html

concretepumpers.com/sites/www.concretepumpers.com/files/attachments/sb_outriggers_1.pdf 

Structural Light-weight Concrete

The Conco Companies have always been on the leading edge of technological advances in the industry as demonstrated by our purchase of the new state-of-the art electric pump that we are using on the Wilshire Grand project in L.A.  The high pressure, high powered pump is the only electric pump of its size being used on the West Coast to pump concrete.  It will allow us to pump concrete 400 ft. horizontally and then 1,000 ft. vertically to reach the upper levels of the Wilshire tower. 

While the equipment used by the industry continues to become more and more sophisticated, so have the advancements in concrete practices and technology that help to improve the durability and strength of concrete.  High-performance concrete (HPC) and structural light-weight concrete have contributed to the versatility and functionality of concrete.   

Structural light-weight concrete is often used on skyscrapers and bridge decks as well as other projects where weight is a factor.  Light-weight concrete allows the concrete to be verticallypumped to great heights.  The process for making the concrete is to replace all or some of the ordinary aggregate with a lighter weight aggregate.  The light-weight aggregates used are natural materials such as pumice or scoria or processed aggregates that include shales, clays, slates and slags.   

Light-weight concrete generally has a density that is not greater than 1850 kg/m. and conforms to ASTM C 330.  It has a “compressive strength in excess of 2500 psi at 28 days when tested in accordance with methods stated in ASTM C 330.”  An article from Concrete Construction, states that, “Since it is generally 20% to 40% lighter than normal weight concrete, a structure’s dead load can be reduced, its foundation cost lowered, and it’s concrete and rebar needs lessened.” 

Sources:

concretecountertopinstitute.com/modules/smartsection/item.php?itemid=33

escsi.org/uploadedFiles/Technical_Docs/Structural_Lightweight_Concrete/4600.1%20SLWC%20-%20Concrete%20Construction%2007-95.pdf

Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. 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. We have four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado.

How Do We Determine Which Pump to Use?

For any of you following our articles on Conco Now or our blog posts, you know that we have an impressive fleet of concrete pumps that has allowed us to successfully operate one of the largest concrete pumping companies in the U.S. for more than 40 years.  In fact in Southern California alone, we house 15 pumps manufactured by two of the top names in the industry, Putzmeister and Schwing.  So with all of the pumps that we own, how do we determine which is the best pump or pumps to use on a particular job?

This is where our experts come in.  They know how to deliver cost-effective solutions for even the most challenging projects.  Our experienced team designs customized plans for each specific project, which includes calculating the needs of a job right down to the type of equipment to use that allows us to meet deadlines and handle access difficulties.

By owning such a large range of different sized pumps, we are able to use the proper equipment to place concrete in the fastest, most efficient manner.  Some of our pumps are specifically designed to maneuver in tight spaces and within small jobsites while the reach of our long booms make them the appropriate choice for other projects. 

This is why it is so imperative to have a team of professional concrete contractors that have the experience to analyze all aspects of the job’s specifications to determine which boom truck has the capability and features to most efficiently handle the job.  Making the right selection of equipment before the job is started is critical to staying on budget and meeting timelines as well as providing a safe environment for our employees and the rest of the workforce at the jobsite. 

The Conco Companies have built an outstanding reputation in the Los Angeles area with our superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services.  We have been offering premium concrete services throughout the Western U.S. since 1959, and have four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado.

High-Strength Concrete

The design of a project determines the performance requirements of the concrete in terms of the compressive strength needed and level of durability to withstand weather conditions.   High-strength concrete is defined as having a compressive strength of 6,000 psi (40 MPa) or greater.  The last couple of decades have seen a demand for stronger concrete. The Portland Cement Association reports that two buildings in Seattle, Washington were constructed using concrete that has a compressive strength of 19,000 psi.

In order to design high-strength concrete, research and time is put into optimizing and controlling each component of the mix.  The concrete needs to have a lower water-cementitious material (W/C) ratio that is somewhere in the range of 0.23 to 0.35, and usually requires a superplasticizer admixture. 

Moreover the high-strength concrete requires an aggregate that is durable and strong and is the optimal size and coarseness to ensure the ideal bond with the cement paste.  Generally the mix will contain a mineral admixture such as silica fume or fly ash (Class C or F) to prevent free calcium hydroxide crystals from forming that can affect the strength of the concrete.     

There are many kinds of projects that require high-strength concrete such as the construction of long-span bridges and decks or projects that have unique architectural features.  Without high-strength concrete, it would not be possible to construct the super tall skyscrapers of today.  Another advantage to the stronger concrete is that columns can be made smaller but still be as supportive while offering more usable interior space.

Conco is taking a more active role in the Portland area with our expansion of high-quality commercial concrete services.  We bring our years of experience delivering dependable services since 1959, and a vast portfolio of noteworthy and large-scale projects from throughout the Western U.S.  Our work includes commercial, industrial, educational and multi-residential construction as well as public works projects.

What is Building Information Modeling?

According to the National Institute of Building Sciences’ National BIM Standard Committee, Building Information Modeling (BIM) is defined as, “a digital representation of physical and functional characteristics of a facility.   BIM is a shared knowledge resource for information about a facility forming a reliable basis for decisions during its life-cycle; defined as existing from earliest conception to demolition.”*

The concept behind BIM is to have an integrated digital file that is created or gathered on a structure that contains coordinated, reliable information about the project from design and construction through to operations.  While the information may be proprietary, it can be shared with others who are responsible for planning, designing, constructing, and maintaining similar facilities.  BIM in itself is not propriety software but a standardized format used for storing digital files.  Although the term dates back earlier, it was widely introduced into the industry when Autodesk, a company that specializes in 3D design and engineering software, published a white paper on “Building Information Modeling” in 2002.

Wikipedia states that BIM is more than 3D visualization, but also “covers spatial relationships, light analysis, geographic information, and quantities and properties of building components (for example, manufacturers' details).”  As such, BIM is a tool for not only architects but also for engineers and contractors as it helps to connect design, analysis, and documentation together.  In the early design stages, it aids in increasing performance and efficiency of a structure and allows changes to be made that are less costly than further along in the construction process. 

Since creating the BIM on a project starts from the earliest planning stages to completion of the facility, it is a time-consuming job and an expert may be brought in to manage the task.  This person is in charge of coordinating all of the processes and information that takes place throughout construction to fully represent a horizontally integrated building.

1.     http://academics.triton.edu/faculty/fheitzman/NBIMSv1_ConsolidatedBody_11Mar07_4.pdf

2.     http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Building_information_modeling

Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We have built our reputation in the Los Angeles area with superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services that benefit from our vast experience.  Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.

Architectural Concrete Design

An important element in building design is the use of architectural concrete.  It permits a broad versatility of design that could not be achieved without it.  It has the ability to provide an aesthetic finish while still retaining all of the structural properties of the concrete.  Whereas the term decorative concrete applies to design features that are used to simply enhance the look of the concrete in areas such as floors, walls, driveways and patios.

Architectural concrete can take on a variety of forms, textures, and colors and uses several different methods to create the desired effect.  Formwork systems and form-lining molds concrete into just about any kind of shape or size as well as textures or patterns.  The concrete can be simulated to look like brick, stone, or wood and is often used in projects such as retaining walls, exteriors of building, and bridges. 

Poured-in-place architectural concrete integrates the structure requirements of the project design in a cost-effective manner.  The results can be a modern, finished concrete that offers more precision and control over the process.  Since the finished surface is the prominent feature, the type of aggregate, sand, and cement selected are very important as they impact the outcome. 

Color can be adding to the concrete using mineral oxide pigments that are put directly into the concrete mix or with chemical stains and varnishes applied to the surface.  When a project demands a large quantity of raw materials to achieve a specialized look, it is a good idea to secure the available material in advance so the finish of the concrete remains consistent throughout the job.  Beyond adding color, other methods of architectural concrete finishes include surface techniques such as sand-blasting, water-blasting, sanding, polishing, and acid-etching.   

 



For over 50 years, Conco has been providing premium concrete services and is one of the most trusted concrete contractors in Seattle.  We partner with clients on every project from the pre-construction stage right through to final completion to maximize efficiency and ensure goals and budgets are met.  Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.

How Telebelts and Portable Belts Assist in Projects

As highly experienced commercial concrete contractors, we recognize the need for projects to finish on time and on budget.  This is why we continue to purchase and utilize the most up-to-date equipment, which helps us to successfully fulfill our commitments. 

One kind of timesaving equipment we use is telebelts and portable belts that are designed to move heavy materials on or off a jobsite quickly and easily.  A telebelt is a mobile telescopic belt conveyor that is highly versatile and available in a variety of sizes.  They are used to place a high volume of concrete, gravel, rock, and backfill fast and efficiently and are a great way to save time and labor costs.  The set-up on a telebelt is easy to do, and since it is mobile, provides the option to move it around the jobsite as needed. 

Moreover they are a very reliable, well-built piece of equipment.  Putzmeister, a leading manufacturer, states, “The main conveyors and feed conveyors of Telebelts are two separate hydraulic circuits.  Each has their own pumps, control valves and motors and they are hydraulically independent of each other.”  Putzmeister offers the industry’s only line of truck-mounted telescopic belt conveyors and an outrigger design that permits set-up in congested areas and on rough terrain.

Telebelts are fast and efficient with outputs up to 5 cubic yards per minute.  They are ideal for use in low clearance areas or under bridges and into limited access structures.  To give you an example of the type of reach a telebelt may have, the Putzmeister TB 130 has a horizontal reach of 126’ 6” and a maximum rated capacity of 360 cubic yards an hour.  The unit has a 360 degree hydraulic rotation and a variety of hopper options. 

Portable belts are ideal for jobs that seem to offer few options but to wheelbarrow the material by hand.  These belts are specifically designed for just such situations and are built to be linked together to transport materials in tight spots and around corners.   They are also easy to set-up and maneuver around the jobsite. 

When your project demands exceptional services and the best value, Conco can deliver.  We have been offering premium concrete services throughout the Western U.S. since 1959, and have a regional office in the Denver area.  With state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities, we work diligently to meet goals and stay within budget.

Eighth Tallest Buildings in the World

Our eighth skyscraper in a series of blogs regarding the tallest buildings in the world is the Petronas Twin Towers in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.  The Towers became the tallest buildings in the world in 1998 by replacing Chicago's Willis (Sears) Tower until the Taipei 101 surpassed them in 2004.  They still retain the honor of being the tallest twin towers in the world. 

Architect on the project was Cesar Pelli & Associates who designed the postmodern building to create a distinct icon that promoted Kuala Lumpur as a commercial and cultural capital for the new millennium.  Planning on the Towers started in 1992 and the buildings were officially opened in August, 1999.  Engineer on the project was Thornton-Tomasetti Engineers and contractors were Mayjus and SKJ Joint Ventures.

Both of the Petronas Towers stand at 1,483 ft. and have a massive 10.7 million sq. ft. of space.  One of the most remarkably and well-known features of the skyscrapers is a dramatic two-​story bridge on the 41st and 42^nd floors that links the two buildings together.  It is the world’s highest double-decked bridge and is intended to symbolize a gateway to the future and provide stunning views of Kuala Lumpur.

According to the Petronas website, the building of the Towers required the single largest and longest concrete pour in Malaysian history.  It took 13,200 cubic meters of concrete that was continuously poured over 54 hours for each of the towers.  By the end of the pours, each Tower had a record-breaking slab with 104 piles that formed the foundation.  

 

 Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States and is once again involved in doing concrete work for a major landmark project. The new Wilshire Grand Center will reshape the Los Angeles skyline as the tallest building west of the Mississippi.  As a part of the project, Conco successfully poured the largest continuous mat foundation ever done in the U.S. on February 15, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Using Tower Cranes to Build Skyscrapers

In order to build the super tall skyscrapers of today such as the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles, huge tower cranes are used.  Tower cranes are capable of lifting very heavy loads of steel, concrete, generators and other building materials and can be erected to grow taller as the construction project moves upward.   

Before a tower crane is ready to use, it needs to be stabilized at the jobsite.  The process entails building a concrete pad with large anchor bolts embedded into the concrete that secures the base of the crane.  Once a tower crane reaches its maximum height, it can be tied to the side of the structure with steel collars and moved upward as a project demands.

The gears and motor for the crane are contained in the slewing unit that is attached to the mast and which allows the crane to rotate.  On top of that is the long jib that is used to lift the heavy materials as well as the counter-jib that works as a counter-weight to keep the crane balanced.  The crane operator may control the unit from the ground or in a cab that is on top of the tower.

The tower crane mast is a steel triangular lattice structure that is constructed of vertebras generally 10 square feet in size.  Once a crane has been fastened to the exterior of the building or in some cases to the interior and needs to be raised higher, the process is started to add new pieces.  A climbing frame or metal sheath that sits between the slewing unit and the top of the tower is used to temporarily support that section of the mast while the jib moves a new segment into the space.  Once the new piece is bolted down, the climbing tower then moves higher up along the mast ready for the process to begin again. 

According to Wikipedia, typically the maximum unsupported height of a tower crane is 265 feet and the maximum reach of the jib is 230 feet.  It has a maximum lifting strength of 19.8 tons.  

 

Conco’s team of professional concrete contractors in the Portland area brings the highest level of integrity and principles to each project from pre-construction to finish.  With the rapidly growing construction market, Conco is taking an active role in the Portland area with our expansion of high-quality commercial concrete services.

Great Progress Achieved Thus Far on the 49ers Levi Stadium

The new San Francisco 49ers Levi Stadium construction project is progressing at the fast pace needed in order to meet the approaching August 2014 opening date.  When the Levi was awarded the 2016 NFL Super Bowl game, it required the stadium to be operational for at least two years before the big game.  Hosting the Super Bowl is an honor for the stadium and will be the celebration of the 50th anniversary of the championship game.

Conco was awarded the concrete package for the $1.2 billion project that broke ground in April of 2012.  The new stadium is being built by the construction/design team of Turner Construction and Devon Construction.  Due to the aggressive timeline, construction is being handled differently.  In most cases, stadiums are built like a wedding cake with one tier on top of another.  For the new Levi, the stadium was divided into four sections and each section is concurrently being constructed as separate projects. 

Conco had to jump right into the project with the enormous task of excavating 60,000 yards of dirt, reinforce and pump 18,000 cubic yards of concrete, backfill and build a half-mile of perimeter wall – all in 40 calendar days.  According to an article in the Concrete Pumping, Fall 2013 publication, the design specifications “made the level of difficulty extremely high for what is the largest structural steel building under construction in the U.S.”  To demonstrate how large the project is, the foundation took twenty-three semi truckloads of anchor bolts to complete.  Crews worked basically day and night starting at 5 a.m. and finished up at 1 a.m. 

Concrete pumping was constant throughout the construction of the foundation and was skillfully accomplished with the help of Conco’s recently acquired, Schwing S 58 SX boom trucks, equipped with a 188-foot reach and easy set-up.  The Schwing KVM 52 and S 47 SX were also utilized.  The foundation portion was done as a series of smaller pours rather than a large slab pour.  On a typically day, 500 yards of concrete were pumped with most of the concrete a standard 4,000 psi mix, and 8,000 psi at shear lugs.  

The Schwing 58 meter boom trucks were a valuable asset on the project.   Pumps were located both inside and outside the structure and the narrow-front spread and curved outriggers provided the crew the ability to shoot around any obstacles that were in the way.  There were times that a pump ran almost 24 hours a day with one operator quickly replacing the prior operator to start pumping again.  Conco successfully met the Phase 1 foundation deadline in July 2012.  The whole team pulled together for the difficult project and has done an excellent job!       

Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We got our start in the San Francisco area in 1959 by offering clients the best value on a wide range of concrete services and products.  Since that time, we have steadily taken a leading role as one of the Bay Area’s top concrete contractors. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects and highways.

Berkeley Bowl West Filled a Need in the Community

 

 

Conco has provided concrete services for an array of construction projects including that of helping to build a large grocery/produce store in Berkeley, CA.  The $30 million Berkeley Bowl West was built as a sister store following the popularity of the original Berkeley Bowl.  The new store is more spacious than the original one and at 140,000 sq. ft. became the largest grocery operation in the East Bay Area. 

The Berkeley Bowl West was built with both surface and underground parking, and provides a total of 211 parking spots that is twice the amount of parking at the original store.  The careful attention to parking was to ensure that the crowded parking situation at the Berkeley Bowl would not occur at the new store.   

The contractor for the project was Oliver & Company and the architect was Kava Massih Architects.  The engineer was Rutherford & Chekene and Conco provided the concrete work. The building was constructed with many sustainable features and was equipped by the Sun Light & Power company with 636 solar panels that powers much of the building’s operations.    

The interior of the Berkeley Bowl West is designed to have wider aisles to make for easier navigation than the original store and the produce and bulk food sections are both larger to meet the demand.  The store does not just offer groceries but has a wide range of prepared foods as well as a large café and kitchen area.  The building is spacious enough to house the offices for both of the stores, a warehouse, and a 3,000 sq. ft. community room.  A portion of the produce and meats sold are organic and much of it comes from local farms.

When your project demands exceptional services and the best value, Conco can deliver.  We have been offering premium concrete services throughout the Western U.S. since 1959, and have a regional office in the San Jose area.  With state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities, we work diligently to meet goals and stay within budget.