Category: Concrete
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Superior Industries Awarded Patent for Recirculating Conveyor on Sentry HSI Plant
Superior Industries, a U.S. manufacturer of bulk material processing and handling equipment, has been granted a patent for the recirculating conveyor system used on its Portable Sentry Horizontal Shaft Impactor (HSI) Closed Circuit Plant. The patented design feeds recirculated material back into the crusher with a centered and consistent flow, helping to evenly distribute wear…
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Gordian Reports Concrete Construction Material Costs Holding
It seems everything is more expensive. Eggs, for one easy example. Practically everything else in the grocery store. In construction, the fluctuating price of materials seems never to favor the contractor. Even concrete, the annual perspective according to Gordian, says that the price of concrete is up 0.84 percent from Q2 of 2024. In their…
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Understanding Concrete Slab Load Capacity
Concrete slabs form the backbone of countless industrial and material-handling facilities. Whether supporting heavy machinery, mezzanines, pallet racks, or conveyors, a slab must be able to bear concentrated loads. Yet, too often, insufficient analysis of load capacity results in costly over-engineering or catastrophic structural failures. The good news is that many pitfalls associated with improper…
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U.S. Infrastructure Is Stuck In The 20th Century
On March 10, 2025, the U.S. Transportation Secretary Sean P. Duffy rescinded certain memos issued by the Biden Administration which added guidelines to federal infrastructure project spending. These guidelines included special considerations for so-called “social justice” issues, environmental concerns, and equity-first design. It was another step in the Trump Administration’s efforts to dismantle the infrastructure…
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Latest Updates in Hydrodemolition Technology
The rate at which technology evolves is increasing. Gone are the days of advancements taking a decade-plus to develop. In some instances, technology can become outdated in a matter of years, maybe even months. Think of a smartphone. The latest devices have built-in artificial intelligence and augmented reality features that the average person had barely…
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Protecting Data Center Concrete Foundations from Unstable Soils
It comes as no surprise to architects and engineers that clay-rich soils which retain lots of moisture are unstable. Clay soils have a water-holding capacity of about 1.35-2.5 in. of water per foot of soil, whereas well-drained sandy soils hold far less, typically 0.4-1.25 in. of water per foot of soil. This ensuing soil instability…
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Coffee concrete used for base of four-storey high whale sculpture
A base made from a concrete mix using recycled coffee grounds has been used to support a 12m-high sculpture of a blue whale in London’s Canary Wharf. The Whale on the Wharf (Skyscraper) by architect Studio KCA was created from plastic waste recovered from the Atlantic and Pacific oceans and has been sited in a…
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What Does ‘Concrete Contractor’ Mean? – Concrete Contractor March/April 2025 Editors Letter
Join me here as I attempt to navigate my way through what “concrete contractor” means. I don’t mean this brand. I mean your job. Even though you may work on a different type of project, do you think your job is the same as another reader? Aside from the fact that working with concrete in…
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Concrete’s Role in Passive House Construction
As the construction industry moves toward greener solutions, the push for sustainable, energy-efficient buildings grows. Global energy consumption for buildings accounts for nearly 40% of total energy usage. With stricter legislation, such as the focus on net-zero emissions by 2050, the pressure to build with energy efficiency has led to more projects pursuing Passive House…
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Concrete Stamping Elevates Residential Concrete Spaces
As spring encourages homeowners to refresh and renew their outdoor living spaces, one of the most effective ways to enhance these areas is through concrete stamping. Stamped concrete provides a versatile, durable solution that mimics the look of high-end materials like stone, brick, and wood—but at a fraction of the cost. For contractors, stamped concrete…