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As one of the leading commercial concrete contractors in the nation, The Conco Companies have had the opportunity to be involved in many of the most interesting projects constructed throughout the Western U.S.   Many of the projects we have undertaken include special challenges where we have successfully designed innovative, creative solutions that allowed us meet or exceed deadlines and stay on budget.

To highlight some of our accomplishments, we have posted a number of YouTube videos demonstrating Conco’s mastery in providing a range of concrete services.  Many of our videos are time-lapsed records of our mat foundation pours and are fun to watch.  One recent example, the 5th & Columbia Mat Foundation Time-lapsed video showcases the June 20, 2015 mat pour.  The bird’s eye-view takes you through Conco’s extremely busy day where we did the mat pour for The Mark, which is currently under construction in Seattle, Washington.  During the pour, we laid down 4,925 cubic yards of concrete and used 1.5 million pounds of reinforcing.  In addition around 500 concrete truckloads were needed to complete the job. 

The 44-story, 660-foot (200 m)-tall skyscraper is scheduled for completion in April 2017 and is being constructed on the same site where the Fifth and Columbia Tower once stood. The project is being developed by Daniels Real Estate and will be comprised of a 184-room luxury hotel along with 528,000 square feet of prime office space. 

The Mark is slated to become the fifth tallest building in Seattle and is the tallest building to be constructed in the city since 1990.  It is expected to achieve LEED Gold.  Features include a system that captures rainwater for reuse as well as a 35-foot tall “living wall” with growing plants along the Columbia Street facade.  Additionally the tower will be equipped with a rooftop solar energy system.  The unique design calls for the building to be the smallest at its base and for each floor to be a different size. 

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. We have built a reputation on superior concrete formwork, reinforcing, place and finish, shotcrete and other ancillary services that benefit from our vast experience.  We have four regional offices to serve Southern and Northern California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Colorado. 

Air-entrained Concrete

The Portland Concrete Association (PCA) defines air-entrained concrete as containing billions of microscopic air cells per cubic foot.  These tiny chambers or microscopic bubbles act as reservoirs to allow water to expand when subjected to freezing temperatures and helps to relieve some of the internal pressure on the concrete. 

Air-entrained concrete is not only designed to make concrete more resistant to freeze/thaw cycles but also to make it more deicer-scaling resistant.  In addition the air-entraining concrete acts as a lubricant in the mix to improve the workability while the concrete is still plastic and increases its slump (a measure of the consistency of fresh concrete). 

Air-entrained concrete is produced by using air-entraining portland cement or by the introduction of air-entraining agents (chemical admixtures).  The amount of air bubbles are generally in the range of 10 to 500 micrometres in diameter (0.0004 to 0.02 in) and are spaced very closely together.  These air pockets or bubbles relieve much of the pressure from the freezing water by giving it a place to safely flow into.  The PCA explains that, “The amount of entrained air is usually between four and seven percent of the volume of the concrete, but may be varied as required by special conditions.”

The procedure was first started in the 1930’s, and today, most concrete is air-entrained particularly the concrete that is used for exterior projects in colder climates.  Another advantage it offers is that with the increased slump, it allows less water to be used in the mix to produce a higher strength concrete.  The benefit of less water in the mix also means there is less drying shrinkage.  Air-entrained concrete is also used to protect against sulfates and alkali-silica reactivity.

Sources:

cement.org/cement-concrete-basics/working-with-concrete/air-entrained-concrete
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Air_entrainment
nrcs.usda.gov/Internet/FSE_DOCUMENTS/nrcs141p2_023438.pdf

The Conco Companies are 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.

Concrete Terminology – Learn the Terms

At The Conco Companies, we are involved in many of the most notable projects throughout the Western United States, and as such, we have experience with all kinds of concrete construction.  Furthermore we are committed to using our extensive knowledge to move the concrete industry forward as we demonstrated early this year by setting a world record for the largest continuous mat pour that was executed flawlessly on the Wilshire Grand in L.A.

We are taking the opportunity to go over some concrete terminology and in our previous blog did not even make it past the first letter of the alphabet. Here is an additional look at some essential concrete terminology that is taken from the American Concrete Institute’s ACI Concrete Terminology. 

Backfill concrete — nonstructural concrete used to over-fill excavated pockets in rock or to prepare a surface to receive structural concrete

Basic creep — creep that occurs without migration of moisture to or from the concrete.

Batch — (1) quantity of material mixed at one time or in one continuous process; (2) to weigh or volumetrically measure and introduce into the mixer the ingredients for a quantity of material

Binary mixture — concrete containing two cementitious materials

Blended cement — a hydraulic cement consisting of portland cement uniformly mixed with

slag cement or pozzolan, or both

Calcium chloride — CaCl2, a crystalline solid, is primarily used in concrete as an accelerating admixture.

Calcium stearate — Ca(C18H35O2)2, commonly marketed in powder form, insoluble in water, used as a water repellent admixture in concrete

Cast-in-place concrete — concrete that is deposited and allowed to harden in the place where it is required to be in the completed structure, as opposed to precast concrete

Cement paste — binder of concrete and mortar consisting essentially of cement, water, hydration products, and any admixtures together with very finely divided materials included in the aggregates

Coarse aggregate — aggregate predominantly retained on the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve or that portion retained on the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve.

Concrete compressive strength — the measured maximum resistance of a concrete specimen to axial compressive loading and expressed as force per unit cross sectional area

Curing — action taken to maintain moisture and temperature conditions in a freshly placed cementitious mixture to allow hydraulic cement hydration and (if applicable) pozzolanic reactions to occur so that the potential properties of the mixture may develop

Drying shrinkage — shrinkage resulting from loss of moisture

Durability — the ability of a material to resist weathering action, chemical attack, abrasion, and other conditions of service

 

Sources:  concrete.org/tools/concreteterminology.aspx

 

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.

Conco’s Concrete Pumps Available Throughout California

The Conco Companies have owned and operated one of the largest concrete pumping companies in the United States for over 40 years.  To remain a leader, we continue to invest in new concretepumps to provide customers one of the most modern, state-of-the-art operations on the West Coast. 

In fact our concrete pumps helped us to successfully undertake the largest continuous mat pour for the new Wilshire Grand tower this past February to break the Guinness World Record.  Also on this project, we will use our equipment to pump concrete to reach the top floors of the 1,100 ft. tall skyscraper that is scheduled to become the tallest building in the West once it is completed.

To serve our customers, we have a large fleet of 27 concrete pumps that are located in Northern California (12 pumps) and Southern California (15 pumps).  Our pumps are manufactured by two of the top names in the industry.  Putzmeister America, Inc. is the North American division of one of the most recognized and respected manufacturers of concrete and material placing equipment.  Schwing America is a member of the SCHWING Group, a worldwide designer, manufacturer and distributor of premium concrete production and handling equipment that is headquartered in Herne, Germany.

Both our Northern and Southern California locations have a Schwing 58SX long boom concrete pump that meets the latest emissions standards and is helping to reduce emissions at our jobsites.  With a 4-Section Overhead Roll and Fold, the innovative boom design works well on bridges, commercial and industrial work and has a reach of 175 feet. The versatile boom has a main section that articulates 180-degrees, which allows it to be angled away from the pour and then guided horizontally into enclosed areas, positioned vertically for elevated work, and stretched out over the cab for flatwork.

Another impressive pump we have available in both locations is the Putzmeister 36Z.  With its detachable Putzmeister Z-Fold boom, the 36Z has great reach.  It is the only four-section, 116-foot 10-inch boom on the market using X-style outriggers. The powerful pumping performance with a small footprint makes it perfect for restrictive job sites.

Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States.  We have four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.

What Goes Into Determining the Best Pump to Use?

As we discussed in a previous blog post, the Conco Companies have owned and operated one of the largest pumping companies in the Western United States for over 40 years.  Our overwhelming success and continued expansion has put us in a leadership role in the commercial concrete industry.   We have an impressive fleet of concrete pumps with eleven of them conveniently based out of Washington State to handle the needs of our customers in this area. 

So what are the actual criteria that we take into account when determining which concrete pumps to use on a particular job?  One of the first things we need to know is the concrete output required to get the job done and the delivery output needed in cubic yards per hour that will meet the specifications of the job.  Having this information, now the engineer knows the pumping volume that the boom truck must deliver to accomplish the task.  The cubic yard per hour output for each boom truck is provided by the manufacturer as well as other features and capabilities of each pump. 

Next the layout of the pumps at the jobsite needs to be figured out and how long of a boom will be required to reach all of the work areas.  A boom’s maximum reach is really 10 to 20 feet shorter as the boom travels horizontally as well as vertically (the reach is not directly straight out or straight up).  Furthermore properties of the concrete mix such as the type of aggregate or sand used have to be evaluated as some concrete designs require more pressure to pump.  

Other factors taken into account are conditions at the jobsite including the size, any overhead obstacles, amount of congestion on the site, and any obstacles along the sides of the area.  Also how much room is there to get concrete trucks on and off the site?  These are but a sampling of the many dynamics that experienced concrete contractors use to determine the size of the pumps and how many to use.  

Sources:

concreteconstruction.net/Images/What's%20New%20in%20Truck-Mounted%20Boom%20Pumps_tcm45-342799.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.

Update on the Wilshire Grand Tower in L.A.

In order to open on schedule in early 2017, the new Wilshire Grand tower in downtown Los Angeles has been on an accelerated timetable from the start, which also includes the concrete services that are The Conco Companies’ responsibility.  After successfully breaking the world record for the largest continuous mat pour this past February, Conco is working to provide the rest of the concrete work on the new skyscraper.   

The ambitious project calls for a poured-in-place core wall going up the building that is surrounded by slab on metal deck.  The core of the tower will be 130 ft. X 35 ft. with some floors having walls up to 4 ft. thick.  Conco is on a 4-day core wall cycle, which means that every 4 days; concrete for a new floor is poured. 

The Wilshire Grand was designed by AC Martin Architects and the contractor on the project is the Turner Construction Co., one of the largest general contractors in the U.S.  The 1,100 ft. tall skyscraper will become the tallest building in the West upon completion, and as a result, is a complicated engineering project.  The tower had to be designed to sway during powerful Santa Ana winds, and also absorb ground movement from the strongest earthquakes. 

Furthermore the project is designed with green technology inside the building as well as the exterior.  It started with the “green deconstructing” of the old Wilshire Grand Hotel on the site in the fall of 2012.  Rather than imploding or demolishing it, the process enabled much of the old building materials to be recycled.  The combined steel and concrete that was recycled brought close to $4 million in revenue that was put back into the project. 

Highly energy efficient climate systems and innovative lighting will be used throughout the building.  With the addition of the green building techniques and material, the Wilshire Grand is on track to receive LEED Silver certification.   

Sources:

latimes.com/local/la-me-wilshire-grand-foundation-20140426-dto-htmlstory.html   

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.  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.

Benefits That Concrete Boom Pumps Bring to the Industry

Concrete boom pumps bring numerous advantages to today’s construction projects.  This is the primary reason that The Conco Companies continue to make capital investments in our equipment including new concrete pumps to better serve our customers in Southern and Northern California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado.

One of the major benefits that modern boom pumps offer is that they place concrete faster than any other method of placement.  Furthermore the concrete requires less handling as the pump does the work of placing it directly where it is needed.  These cost-efficient pumps help projects to be completed faster and to require less manpower of which saves both time and money.

There is such a wide variety of concrete pumps on the market today that there is one designed to handle most any job specifications.  By using the long reach of a boom pump, it allows access to areas on jobsites that would otherwise be difficult to get to.  Boom pumps have the ability to place concrete on to the upper floors of extremely tall skyscrapers and other places that would be next to impossible using other methods. 

The pumps also mean less equipment is used and time is saved in moving those smaller pieces of machinery around a site and having to reset them up again.  There is even better quality control with pumped concrete and the result is a more durable, stronger product.  Less water is needed, which helps to prevent the shrinking and cracking that is common in concrete.  In addition placement is not affected by weather conditions so there are not as many delays in a project.   

Accuracy is also greatly improved by pumping concrete, which typically means fewer delays along the way and results in a more professional outcome.   Last but not least is the fact that pumping concrete is simply the most convenient way to do it. 

Sources:

concretebasics.org/articlesinfo/cp1.php#sthash.ZqQv3feG.dpuf

Conco is one of the leading commercial concrete contractors in the Western United States.  We have four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado and are experts at creating cost-effective solutions that take advantage of the most up-to-date techniques.  Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.

Reinforced Concrete

 

The Conco Companies reinforcing division was established in 1989, and since then, we have grown to become one of the leading reinforcing steel and post-tension cable subcontractors in the Western U.S.  We own and operate two large, state-of-the-art rebar fabrication facilities in Benicia, CA and Rochester, WA.   Utilizing our extensive in-house services and resources, we offer the most advanced technologies including building informational modeling (BIM) to meet fabrication specifications and requirements.

Our plants are outfitted with modern shear lines, benders and post-tension cable manufacturing equipment to increase accuracy and productivity and meet the most exacting standards.  Furthermore since the fabrication process requires highly skilled workers, we train our employees on up-to-date technologies that make use of BIM and our advanced field fabrication tools such as a Bartec coupler system.

So why does a project require reinforced concrete?  Without reinforce concrete, many buildings and structures that are built today would not be possible.  The natural tendency of concrete is to be brittle and it can crack or break under high pressure or when faced with strong winds, earthquakes, and other forces.  When steel reinforced bars (rebar) are embedded into the concrete before it sets, it gives the concrete a higher tensile strength and ductility. 

Reinforced concrete is used in precast or cast-in-place concrete to construct slabs, walls, foundations, beams, and columns as well as other projects.  In most cases to achieve the maximum performance required for a specific construction project, concrete only requires a relatively low percentage of rebar.  A typical equation for a concrete beam is to add 1% rebar while a column may use up to 6% of embedded rebar.  By adding the rebar, it gives concrete the required strength, ductility and durability needed for the structure and is an economical way of doing it.  

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 four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado. With state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities, we work diligently to meet goals and stay within budget.

 

Why Concrete is so Widely Used

Concrete still remains the building material of choice for most structures and is the single most widely used material throughout the world.  Its properties are such that it resists weathering, erosion and other natural disasters, and requires very little maintenance.  Dating back to early Egyptian times, humans have mixed together the basic ingredients of concrete from sand and gravel, a cement-like binder, and water for thousands of years. 

Concrete’s continued popularity comes from the fact that it is not only economical but it is very strong and durable.  When compared to wood, asphalt or other building materials, concrete outlasts them by decades and even gains strength over time.  Concrete is an extremely versatile material that is used to construct buildings, bridges, dams, tunnels, pavements, runways and roads.  Additionally concrete is extremely fire resistance so it is a safe material to use.

The raw material used to make cement, which is a part of concrete, is limestone, and is the most abundant mineral on earth.  Also concrete can be made from waste byproducts that come from power plants, steel mills and other manufacturing facilities such as fly ash, slag cement, and silica fume.

The concrete industry is very large, and given the nature of concrete, it is locally produced.  It is estimated that the industry provides more than two million jobs to Americans.  Generally the concrete used on a particular project is produced quite nearby and very little cement or concrete is traded or transported internationally.  Most cement travels by trucks and the remainder by barge or train. 

Furthermore concrete is environmental friendly.  Decades later, concrete can be recycled into an aggregate that has a hundred or more different uses.  The concrete is easily crushed and recycled to be used for such things as new concrete pavement, a road base, or backfill. 

Sources:

wbcsdcement.org/index.php/key-issues/sustainability-with-concrete/properties-of-concrete

concretenetwork.com/concrete/greenbuildinginformation/what_makes.html

 

 

The Conco Companies are a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States serving Washington, Oregon, California, Nevada and Colorado.  Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects and highways.

High-Performance Concrete

 

The Conco Companies have extensive experience using different types of concrete to meet the demands of a project.  One form of concrete we use is high-performance concrete (HPC).  It is specifically designed to be more durable and/or stronger than standard concrete.  The American Concrete Institute (ACI) defines high-performance concrete as “meeting special combinations of performance and uniformity requirements that cannot always be achieved routinely using conventional constituents and normal mixing, placing, and curing practices.” 

 

While a mixture for HPC basically contains the same materials as conventional concrete, the difference is in the proportion of the materials added to give the concrete the required strength and durability.  HPC mixtures must meet structure demands as well as the environmental conditions of the project and typically use materials other than just cement to achieve the desired results.  The materials used for the mixtures are flyash, ground blast furnace slag, or microsilica fume.

 

Not all high-strength concrete is high performance.  Since HPC is used in the construction of bridge decks and highways it must contain properties such as high density, low permeability and resistance to environmental conditions.  The Federal Highway Administration says that the performance benefits of HPC are ease of placement and consolidation without affecting strength, long-term mechanical properties, early high strength, volume stability, and longer life in severe environments.  They add that the cost benefits are less material and fewer beams reduced maintenance, and an extended life cycle.   

The ACI states that HPC has a specified compressive strength of 8000 psi (55 MPa) or greater.  They add that, “The value of 8000 psi (55 MPa) was selected because it represented a strength level at which special care is required for production and testing of the concrete and at which special structural design requirements may be needed.”

Sources:

concrete.org/topicsinconcrete/topicdetail/high%20performance%20concrete

cement.org/for-concrete-books-learning/concrete-technology/concrete-design-production/ultra-high-performance-concrete

fhwa.dot.gov/research/resources/uhpc/index.cfm

Conco is one of the leading commercial concrete contractors in the Western United States.  We have four regional offices serving California, Washington, Oregon, Nevada and Colorado.  We are experts at creating cost-effective solutions that take advantage of the most up-to-date techniques.  Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.

Stay Connected with What’s Happening at Conco

Along with current news articles published on our website at Conco Now, The Conco Companies have expanded our social media content to include many of the most popular sites.  We welcome our business associates, present and future customers, and the general public to stay connected and visit our sites to keep up with what’s happening at Conco.

You can find us at LinkedIn, the business-oriented social networking site, where you will find our company profile and pertinent information along with newsworthy, up-to-date articles.  You will also have the opportunity to network with many of our Conco employees.    

Another way to stay connected with Conco is through our facebook page.  We make it easy to discover information about new projects and happenings at Conco as well as updates on many of our on-going projects.  We also have a nice assortment of quality photos taken right from our jobsites.  In addition our facebook page is a great place to leave comments and/or ask questions.

Here is our link to Conco’s videos at YouTube.  We are sure that if you have any interest in the commercial concrete industry, you will enjoy the technical aspects of the job that we captured on several of our videos.  One example is our time-lapsed video of pour day for the 815 Pine project in Seattle, WA.  The video was shot from the tower crane and shows the full concrete pour sequence for the deck and all of the vertical concrete with the one pour.  It follows the order in which the pour was done starting with the post-tensioned slab outside the core, the post-tensioned slab inside the core (they are pouring through trapdoors in the core work deck), core walls, and then the columns.

You can also connect with Conco through the following social media links:

http://conconow.wordpress.com

https://medium.com/@conconow 

http://conconow.tumblr.com

We welcome any comments and questions, and please let us know if there is any way we can help you with your next project.  Contact one of our regional offices for more information. 

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

Conco Constructs a Floor Every Week!

As one of the foremost commercial concrete contractors in the business, Conco continues to innovate and develop techniques that allow us to deliver exceptional services to our clients.  Furthermore we fully recognize that extended construction times drive up cost so we have become experts in working efficiently and cost-effectively. 

With a well-earned reputation of meeting or exceeding deadlines, Conco is routinely brought in on projects that have an accelerated timetable.  Such was the case of 815 Pines, a luxury 40-story apartment building adjacent to the historic Paramount Theatre in downtown Seattle.  Owned by the Holland Partner Group, they were adamant that the project was finished on time regardless of weather conditions and the challenges presented by the small footprint and minimal lay-down area.

Conco’s task was to construct a complete floor every week.  The time-lapsed video link below demonstrates one week of the activity that took place starting at Level 34 pour-day right through to Level 35 pour-day.  It clearly illustrates how we successfully accomplished this huge undertaking. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gGmhEkbNKLk&feature=autoshare

A breakdown of how major tasks were managed throughout the 5-day week:

·         Day 1: Pour slab, core slab, walls, & columns.  Start framing Level 35 deck.

·         Day 2: Jump core form.  Strip columns.  Complete L35 deck. Charge boundary elements.  MEP layout.

·         Day 3: MEP layout.  Edge forms.  PSR rail install.  Core rebar install.  Bottom mat rebar.

·         Day 4:  Perimeter panels jumped.  PT install.  Core walls complete.

·        Day 5: MEP/Pex pipe installed.  Top of slab formwork.  Embed installation.  Charge column rebar cages.  Clear deck, prepped for pour.

 

Throughout the 815 Pine project, the 5-day cycle was accomplished with a single shift that stayed within the construction schedule and exceeded the expectations of the developer.  By consistently collaborating with general contractors and owners, Conco strives to find solutions that meet the demands of each unique project we provide services on.

For over 50 years, Conco has been providing premium concrete services and is one of the most trusted concrete contractors in the  Northwest.  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.

Skyscrapers Keep Pushing the Limits

Early this year, Conco will provide concrete services for a record breaking skyscraper being built in downtown L.A.  Not only will Conco execute the largest continuous mat pour ever done over the course of three days, but the new Wilshire Grand Center will become the tallest building in the U.S. west of the Mississippi.   

According to a global forecast from the Council of Tall Buildings and Urban Habitat  (CTBUH), 2013 was a robust year for new skyscrapers and 2014 is looking to be even better.  In 2013 the One World Trade Center, after much controversy, was designated as the tallest building in the U.S. at 1,776 feet.  The new tower is scheduled to open in 2014 and has replaced the Willis Tower in Chicago as the tallest building in the U.S. 

The CTBUH’s job is to document the progress and trends of skyscrapers built throughout the world.  Their publication estimates that 75 skyscrapers at least 650 ft. tall or higher were completed in 2013, and that there will be approximately 100 buildings at least that height or taller that will be finished by the end of 2014. 

The editor of CTBUH, Daniel Safarik, cites their reasons for the increased activity in skyscrapers as, “The advancement in high-strength concrete technology, combined with land scarcity and plenty of billionaires willing to spend a great deal of money for single-or double floor unity high in the sky has made this a new reality.”

 

One of the newer trends in skyscrapers is to build extremely narrow, very tall structures that carry a small footprint.  Several examples are currently being built in New York City.  Another new construction trend is prefabrication, which is helping to speed up the building process.  Furthermore there is a concerted effort to develop fully sustainable skyscrapers referred to as zero net energy buildings that have zero net consumption and zero carbon emissions annually. 

Mumbai and China will be the strongest markets for new skyscrapers in 2014 with continued growth in skyscraper construction throughout the Middle East.  

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 and highways.