Our Reinforcing Services are used on a Variety of Projects

Conco Reinforcing has been extremely busy over the last couple of years and our services have been employed on a number of different types of projects.   From airports to mixed-use high-rises, public works, highway projects and others, our two fabrication plants and installation crews have remained hard at work.   

The Development of Shotcrete

Conventional cast-in-place concrete and shotcrete share many of the same properties but shotcrete provides an advantage in placement.  It bonds with most substrates instantly or very rapidly, which makes it a good choice on complex forms or shapes.  Similarities to conventional concrete include high strength, low permeability and high durability.  It has a wide range of applications that include repair or restoration, ground support, architectural and landscape restoration, new construction and much more. 

Shotcrete, originally known as gunite, was developed by Dr. Carl E. Akely.  In his process, the dry material was blown out of a hose and water injected at the nozzle.  Akeley went on to patent his cement gun and the material he called Gunite.  During that period, he created the Cement Gun Company (now called Allentown Equipment).

In the mid-1950s, a wet mix method was introduced to the construction industry.  The benefits were recognized immediately and it was used on many projects.  Shotcrete became even more popular 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 in the 1970’s of providing an enormous improvement in the application of shotcrete.  They state 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 continued with advancements in the mixing and batching of ready mix concrete and the development of admixtures that allowed for consistency, hydration and performance.  Today one of the biggest changes to shotcrete applications is the ability of modern equipment to pump any slump as well as to pump it over long distances and up into high-rise construction projects.  

Sources:en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shotcrete,shotcrete.us/,shotcrete.org/whyshotcrete/index.htm

The Conco Companies are leading suppliers 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 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. 

The History of Concrete Pumps

As a leading commercial concrete contractor, the Conco Companies have had our share of challenging jobs placing concrete over our more than 50 years in the industry.  Our success can be attributed to not only our seasoned team of professional engineers, managers, and pump operators but also to our impressive inventory of pumps conveniently located in California, Washington, Oregon, Colorado, and Nevada.

Many projects that have been built since the end of World War II would not have been possible without the use of concrete pumps.  Records show that the first patent for a concrete pump was applied for in 1913 by C. A. Cornell and S. A. McKee of the U.S. with little further development done at that time.  In 1927, after unsuccessfully attempting to lift concrete to the top of a war memorial in Germany, engineer Fritz Hell started working on a pump that would do that type of job.  Three years later the Rexnord Company of Milwaukee, Wisconsin introduced the Pumpcrete.  Its inventor was C. W. LeValley. 

Many of the early innovations in pump designs were done by the Germans along with other Europeans as they had the need for such equipment during their reconstruction period following WWII.  Information from Ritchiewiki Everything About Equipment site, says the first hydraulic pump was developed by the Torket Company of Germany in the 1950s using water to operate.  They add that in 1957, “the Schwing Company manufactured a fully hydraulic double-cylinder pump that used an oil-operated ram with a water-flushed cylinder.”

During the 1980s and 90s, many of the largest manufacturers of concrete pumps were located in Germany and Japan.  Today manufacturers are located across the globe with the U.S. having several major manufacturers as most large construction projects rely on pumps to place the concrete such as skyscrapers, bridge pilings, dams, and tunnels.  The ability to pour concrete using modern, state-of-the-art pumps saves projects both time and money.

Sources:

ritchiewiki.com/wiki/index.php/Concrete_Pump

concretepumping.com/dictionary/index.php/The_PumpCrete_by_Rexnord_

or_Chain_Belt_is_believed_to_be_the_worlds_first_Concrete_Pump_1930

For over 50 years, Conco has provided premium concrete services throughout the Western United States and is one of the most trusted concrete contractors in the Seattle area.  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.

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.

Cast-in-place Concrete

By Conco  

Cast-in-place concrete is a commonly used building material for commercial and residential structures and accounts for 75% of all concrete used.  The process starts with a temporary form in which reinforcement such as steel bars (rebar) may be added.  The next step is to pour the liquid, ready mix concrete that has been transported to the jobsite (it may in some cases be mixed on site) into the removable forms.

Using cast-in-place offers the same benefits as other types of concrete such as durability, and strength and can use some recycled material.  It is resilient when faced with severe weather conditions such as tornados as well as resistant to mold, rot, bugs, and fire.  The thermal mass of the concrete helps to reduce a building’s energy costs and has the added benefit of acting as a sound insulator.  Moreover the concrete is ready to use once the forms are stripped and does not require any further treatment.

Originally this method was only used for sub-grade walls but the renowned inventor, Thomas Edison, experimented with using cast-in-place concrete on above-grade projects.  He demonstrated the success of his work by constructing several homes that were made entirely out of cast-in-place concrete.  With many improvements and new developments since then, cast-in-place is now used for constructing slabs, walls, beams columns floors, and roofs as well as for forming special architectural features.

The forms need to remain in place until the concrete is self-supporting.  Since one of the primary costs of cast-in-place is the forming process, using prefabricated formwork can help speed up a job and save money.  They are assembled on site and can be reused over and over again.

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 steadily taken a leading role as one of the Bay Area’s top concrete contractors. 

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.

 

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.

World’s Largest Parking Lots

According to the Guinness World Records, the largest parking lot serves the world’s largest shopping and entertainment center.  It is located at the West Edmonton Mall in Alberta, Canada.  The parking lot was built to hold 20,000 cars, and believe it or not, there is even a nearby overflow lot that can handle 10,000 vehicles.

Right now the trend in parking is to build a structure or garage as it allows more efficient parking and uses a lot less space than a big, sprawled out parking lot.  There is another advantage in that parking garages are built out of concrete and will last decades while big open parking lots are generally made from asphalt.  Asphalt has a life-span of about 20 years and will need to be constantly maintained.  By comparison, a concrete garage has a span of around 50 years with nowhere near the maintenance involved.   

A newly opened, smart-parking garage in Dubai has been awarded the distinction of being the “largest automated parking facility in the world” by the Guinness World Records.  The nine-story facility is located at the Emirates Financial Tower and cost a whopping $22 million.   It has the capacity for 1191 vehicles and is fully computerized.  A driver just pulls their vehicle into the transit bay and gets out, the rest is automated.  The computer identifies the best spot for the car and has it ready for the owner a few minutes before their departure.  You can even have your car washed while it is being “parked”. 

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.