Precision Engineered Reinforcement Services

The Conco Companies provide a wide range of concrete services including concrete reinforcement for all of your rebar fabrication and installation needs.  By owning and operating two large rebar fabrication facilities in California and Washington, we have the capacity to cost-effectively serve our customers’ needs saving them both time and money.  Also Conco’s highly skilled crews are trained on the specialized tools used to fabricate, assemble, and install the rebar. 

Reinforced Concrete

To counteract the inherent brittleness of concrete and the relatively low tensile strength and ductility, concrete is reinforced with rebar (steel reinforced bars).  Without reinforcement, concrete has the tendency to crack or break when under high pressure conditions and shear stresses such as those caused by wind, earthquakes and other forces.   

Premium Rebar Fabrication Services

As a part of The Conco Companies’ extensive services, we have both the state-of-the-art facilities as well as the expertise to be your single source for rebar fabrication and installation regardless of the size of your project.  Our exceptional concrete reinforcement services provide the assurance that projects stay on budget and meet deadlines.  

Conco’s two rebar fabrication facilities are strategically located in Benicia, CA and Rochester, WA and are fully equipped so we can cost-effectively and efficiently supply all of our customers’ needs.  Each facility is outfitted with modern shear lines, benders and post-tension cable manufacturing equipment that allows us to provide your project with precision-engineered rebar products.   Also by stocking a large inventory we are able to meet tight deadlines. 

Our highly skilled team also plays a big role in our success.  Plant operators and engineers have advanced training including building informational modeling (BIM).  Furthermore, our crews in the field have use of advanced tools such as Dextra’s Bartec to ensure the highest quality work at the jobsite as well.  

When you choose Conco as your provider of precision-engineered rebar, you also have the benefit of using the rest of our team for quality formwork, pumping, finishing, and shotcrete.   By working as a coordinated team, we can readily anticipate and respond to any problems and shuffle crews to accommodate our customers.  In addition this holistic approach allows us to identify improvements in design right from the earliest stages and to make the appropriate changes while it is more cost-effective to do so.  We invite you to take a look at Conco’s portfolio of projects we have listed on our website.  

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western U.S. and to bring experience, expertise and quality to each project. We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for a wide range of construction development. We have four regional offices serving California, Oregon, Nevada, Colorado and Washington.

Conco Reinforcing and Design Services

The Conco Companies are one of the foremost commercial concrete contractors in the Western United States and offer customers a wide range of premium services.  In the industry since 1959, Conco has had the opportunity to experience first-hand many of the innovations and techniques that have evolved over more than half a century. 

One of the advantages of being such a large, established company is that we are able to attract some of the most talented individuals in the field to join our team.  As such Conco’s excellent reputation has offered us the opportunity to be a part of some of the most distinguished projects in the area. 

Furthermore, Conco’s line-up of exceptional resources and facilities has helped to set us apart from the competition.  For example, Conco Reinforcing operates two large rebar fabrication facilities located in California and Washington.  This gives us the capability to quickly and efficiently service customers’ needs as well as to be a single source for rebar fabrication and installation projects regardless of the size.  When you use Conco Reinforcing’s fabrication and installation services along with our concrete formwork and placement crews, you get the benefit of a coordinated one-stop-shop approach.

Another one of Conco’s strength is our reinforced concrete design services.  This group of professional engineers and estimators work meticulously on offering effective, efficient design solutions that can alleviate or prevent problems and delays on your project.  They bring to each job their vast experience and expertise as well as state-of-the-art technology and tools such as BIM, on-screen take-off, and construction management software.  Also they are able to make recommendation on the materials and processes needed to ensure a concrete structure meets all sustainability and LEED goals.

The Conco Companies are a leading commercial concrete contractor for the Western United States.  Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.  Conco has four regional offices that serve Northern and Southern California, Oregon, Washington, Nevada and Colorado. 

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. 

Conco’s Pumps are Located to Conveniently Serve the West

The Conco Companies’ pumping and belting division is one of the largest in the United States and is a very important and busy part of our operations.  After our historic Wilshire Grand mat pour, Conco got right to work on the attached parking structure and 73-story building that make up the project.  Our crews will be pumping approximately 80,000 yards of concrete vertically, which includes both lightweight concrete and 8,000 psi mixes. 

On the jobsite, we kept both of the placing boom towers that were used on the mat pour and brought in two additional placing booms to help with the construction of the underground parking structure.  We will use one of our trailer pumps to place shotcrete for the vertical concrete in the subterranean levels. 

In order to conveniently serve the pumping needs of our customers in Southern California, Northern California, Washington, Oregon, and Nevada, we have equipment strategically located throughout these areas.   To serve the Los Angeles area, we have a pumping facility in nearby Gardena and another based out of San Bernardino County.  Two pumping facilities in Martinez and Stockton service the Bay Area and Northern California.  For Washington and Oregon customers, our pumping facilities are based in nearby Kent and Rochester, WA.    

Our impressive fleet of pumps permit us to take on a project of the magnitude of the Wilshire Grand in Los Angeles, the Salesforce Tower in San Francisco, and the San Francisco 49ers Levi Stadium just to name a few.   We continue to expand our inventory of pumps and over the last several years have made large capital investments on equipment such as three brand new Schwing 58X long boom concrete pumps and several new 20, 39 and 47 meter pumps as well as new Telebelts. 

One of our most recent acquisitions included help from us to design and then to purchase the first, two Schwing S 36X pumps with tremmie options that allow us to safely support up to 1,100 at the boom.  All of our new pumps meet the latest emissions standards.

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

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.

A Short History of Shotcrete

 

Shotcrete is pneumatically placed concrete that is used as an economical alternative to traditional cast-in-place walls.  As it almost eliminates the forming process all together, it greatly reduces labor cost and time.  Shotcrete has the same structural characteristics as traditional cast-in-place walls and a wide range of applications including shear walls, retaining walls, architectural walls, slope pavement, and soil nailing. 

Wikipedia reports that shotcrete, originally known as gunite, was first used to repair the crumbling façade of the Field Columbian Museum in Chicago in 1907 by a well-known naturalist, Dr. Carl E. Akely.  He used a process where dry material was blown out of a hose and water was injected from the nozzle.  Mr. Akeley later went on to patent the equipment, which was called a cement gun, and the material called Gunite.  The Cement Gun Company was soon started (now called Allentown Equipment).

It was not until mid-1950 that a wet mix method was introduced to the construction industry.  Right from the start the benefits were recognized and it was successfully used on many projects.  Shotcrete really took off from there with the development of a rotary gun that had an open hopper, which allowed the material to be continuously fed.    

The American Shotcrete Association credits the technical advancements in materials and equipment made during the 1970’s of providing a huge improvement in the applications of shotcrete.  They report that, “The Engineering Foundation organized the first conference for The Use of Shotcrete for Underground Support.”  Furthermore, they write that, “Perhaps the most significant step in this period was the development of efficient concrete pumps that could be used for wet shotcrete application.”

The 1980’s saw advancements in the mixing and batching of ready mix concrete with developments of admixtures that allowed for consistency, hydration and performance.  One of the biggest changes in the shotcrete that is used today is the ability of equipment to pump any slump and to be able to pump it over long distances and up into high rise construction projects.  

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotcrete

* http://www.shotcrete.us/

* source: American Shotcrete Association

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. 

Opportunities for Hard Working Construction Laborers

By Conco  

The Conco Companies continues to seek experienced carpenters, cement masons, ironworkers, operating engineers as well as job opportunities for construction laborers.  We have openings at all of our locations, which include Northern California, Southern California, Washington State, and Colorado.  These are union positions (with the exception of Colorado) and offer competitive wages along with medical and retirement benefits.

Conco’s openings for construction workers include Bridge Laborers and General Laborers.  The responsibilities include all work in connection with but not limited to: dumpman, load Spotter, flag person and operating a forklift.  We are an equal opportunity employer.

At Conco we employ a dedicated crew of laborers and cement masons who are some of the most experienced in the industry.  We provide crews with the most up-to-date equipment and tools to assist them with optimally performing each job and to continue to meet deadlines.  Additionally, Conco is committed to providing all employees a hazard-free, safe working environment.  

To achieve this goal, our safety program focuses on hazard elimination.  We sincerely believe that when safety is the first consideration before any work begins, everyone wins.  Safety pays for our company, our employees, our customers and the general public!

We are sure you will find our company is an exciting place to work.  We have had the privilege to be a part of many distinguished project throughout the Western U.S.  Recently we provided the concrete services for the San Francisco 49ers Levi Stadium.  Last fall we assisted on the repairs for the new Bay Bridge also in San Francisco.  Our most recent accomplishment was to break the world record for the largest continuous mat pour that was done for the Wilshire Grand Center in Los Angeles.
 

If you are interested in applying for a position, please refer to our website for more information.  

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 state-of-the-art equipment and modern facilities, we work diligently to meet goals and stay within budget.

Post Tension Cable

Conco is now one of the largest reinforcing steel and post tension cable suppliers in the Western U.S.  Our high-quality post tension (PT) cable meets precise engineering specifications and provides a great value to customers throughout Northern California, Southern California, Washington, Oregon and Colorado.  So what is post tensioning and how is it used in concrete construction?  

Post tensioning is the process of using high-strength, prestressed steel cables or tendons to actively reinforce concrete and apply compression after concrete is poured.  Once the concrete has hardened, the cables are tensioned, or pulled tight with hydraulic jacks and anchored to the outside edges of the concrete.  Pre-tensioned concrete, according to Wikipedia, “is cast around steel tendons—cables or bars—while they are under tension. The concrete bond to the tendons as it cures, and when the tension is released it is transferred to the concrete as compression by static friction.” 

The job of fabricating, assembling, and installing PT cable requires highly skilled workers and specialized tools.  Post tensioned concrete has all the same attributes of reinforced concrete but is used in projects that call for thinner slabs or when a greater span length is called for between support columns.  Many projects could not be done without the use of post tensioning, and it is often the choice for parking structures as it allows flexibility in the design of ramps and span lengths.  The system is also commonly used in stadiums, bridges, and office and apartment buildings.  

Additionally post tensioning reduces the amount of beams needed and allows beams to be placed the full length of a structure rather than from column to column.  Since slabs and other structural members can be constructed thinner, they require less concrete, and thereby, reduce the overall weight of a structure.  It also reduces or eliminates shrinkage cracking and is considered to be active reinforcement.    

* http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Prestressed_concrete 

*http://www.dsicanada.ca/uploads/media/DSI-USA_What_is_Post-Tensioning_us_02.pdf

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.

Helping to Build the CityCenter in Las Vegas

A few years ago Conco provided concrete services for the CityCenter’s residential towers that are located on the Las Vegas Strip in Paradise, Nevada.  The CityCenter is a 16,797,000 square foot, mixed-used complex that consists of hotels, residential housing, high-end retail, a casino, entertainment venues and a variety of fine dining.  The complex opened in December, 2009. 

Developers on the project were MGM Resort International and Dubai World, and the total cost of the project is estimated to be $9.2 billion.  The contractor was the Perini Building Company.  The massive project includes the Aria Resort and Casino, The Shops at Crystals (an ultra, upscale retail mall), the Mandarin Oriental, a luxurious hotel with an Asian theme, the Vdara Hotel and Spa, and the Veer Towers, a premier residential development.  The CityCenter also includes a 6,900 car parking garage and a Clark County Fire Station. 

The Veer Towers are two 37-story glass towers with 335 residences located above The Shops at Crystals.  The internationally renowned Chicago architect, Murphy/Jahn Architects, designed the towers that are inclined at five-degree angles, and thus aptly named.  The beautiful, spacious lobby contains monumental glass boxes that are flooded with light, and exposed concrete walls that are filled with an impressive collection of modern artwork.  

The modern building offers studios, deluxe studios as well as luxurious ones, two and three bedroom flats and penthouses.  The sizes for the residential units range from 500 to 3,300 square feet.  At the top of each stylish tower there is an amenities and recreation floor that offers panoramic views of Las Vegas and is equipped with an infinity edge pool, sun deck, patio, and fitness center.  The Veer Towers opened in July, 2010.

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. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects.

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.

Why Concrete Shrinks and How it is Addressed

All concrete experiences some degree of shrinkage, which can result in cracks in the concrete.  Shrinkage may also affect the long-term strength and durability of the concrete.  Even though concrete contractors know that shrinkage is caused by a loss of volume that occurs in different stages of the process, it is still challenging to prevent or alleviate shrinkage, and thereby the cracking.  It is especially an important consideration when constructing industrial floors or pavement.

Since shrinking is one of the inherent properties of concrete, it is impossible to totally eliminate cracking but it can be controlled.  This is why contractors and engineers work to understand and address the volume change in concrete to reduce the amount of shrinkage.

According to the Portland Cement Association, “The shortening of concrete slabs can be caused by temperature decreases or moisture loss. These two causes are also related to curling and warping of slabs, respectively. Curling is the deformation of the slab due to a difference in temperature between the surface and the bottom of the slab (temperature gradient).  Slab “warping” is the deformation of the slab surface profile due to a difference in moisture between the surface and bottom of the slab (moisture gradient).”* 

To quickly move and place concrete, it is mixed with more water than is absolutely necessary for hydrating the cement materials.  Once the concrete is placed, the excess water separates from the hardening concrete, which results in a loss of volume that causes the concrete to shrink.  The concrete’s reinforcement or base friction works to restrain it, which in turn can create tensile stresses in the slab causing cracks. 

In an effort to prevent the shrinkage, one of the things that contractors watch out for is fluctuating temperatures during the first 24 hours after placement.  Also considerable care is taken to use the correct concrete mixture design so that the least amount of extra water is added and the largest size of aggregate is used.  All of this works toward reducing shrinkage.

*http://www.cement.org/for-concrete-books-learning/concrete-technology/focus-on-floors/concrete-shrinkage

 

Conco is one of the leading commercial concrete contractors in Sacramento and has been delivering first-rate services in the area since 1959.  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.

 

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.

Retrofitting Historic Buildings Against Earthquakes

New construction is being built better than ever to withstand the threat of earthquakes.  Moreover since earthquake activity is not limited to the West Coast, local building codes throughout the country mandate that new construction be resistant to the strongest earthquake activity that is believed possible in an area.  This task has become easier with new high-tech materials that are available such as fiber-reinforced polymers, fiber reinforced concrete and high strength steel.  

One of the on-going phases in creating safer buildings is the seismic retrofitting of older structures to be more resistant to seismic activity and ground motion.  Among these projects include significant historical buildings that have the additional task of ensuring the structure is stronger while still preserving the distinctive characteristics that make the buildings special.  

Obviously first and foremost human safety is addressed and then the focus switches to work on retaining the distinct architectural features of the building. Common weaknesses in historic buildings when faced with earthquake activity include unreinforced masonry and structural connections between walls, floors, and foundations.  Older construction used unreinforced bearing walls that offer inadequate lateral resistance and ductility or flexibility when subjected to seismic activity.     

According to the NPS Department of Interior’s Preservation Briefs, it is imperative to put together a team of experienced engineers, architects, and building code officials as well as consulting with their agency’s administrative staff.  They state that, “Historic materials should be preserved and retained to the greatest extent possible.”  Also that, “New seismic retrofit systems, whether hidden or exposed, should respect the character and integrity of the historic building and be visually compatible with it in design; and that, seismic work should be ‘reversible’ to the greatest extent possible to allow removal for future use of improved systems and traditional repair of remaining historic materials.” 



 

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.