Construction Equipment Owner

During a recent interview, a concrete countertop maker mentioned to me a free 3D imaging software program he uses called Google Sketch-Up. He uses it on countertop projects, creating a 3D image of his design for himself, others working on the project, and customers. You can add color and bring a project to life before ever pouring the concrete. And hey, it’s free, so you can mess around with it and never spend a dime! I tooled around on the site for a while looking at some of the example models posted and saw this wine bar, master bath, and a guest house kitchen concept. Have fun, play around on the site, and search for “foundation” or “concrete” models if you want to see more examples of how this program might work for you.

The Boston Globe recently ran an article about research suggesting the pyramids in Egypt included blocks cast from the world’s first concrete. It’s interesting research, since no one knows for sure how the pyramids were built. Portland cement wasn’t invented until the 1800s, but cement as a building material had a long history before that time.

Really, do I need to say any more? Check out this article about a house made of beer cans and concrete. I only wish there were pictures! I found information about another beer can house in Texas — this one with pictures and more of a roadside attraction than an actual living space. Ah, the benefits and contributions of concrete are endless … and nearly as important as the benefits and contributions of beer!

I read an article about the Bavarian Radio Symphony Orchestra and its decision to cut an orchestral piece, “State of Siege” by Dror Feiler, because when played at its intended volume the orchestra was producing a sound that exceeded the new European noise-at-work limit. Apparently, noise-reducing ear-muffs were not an option. At first I thought the regulations silly — those standards shouldn’t apply to art, plus it’s a good loud noise, right? But then I thought about the people I know who have damaged hearing — it’s difficult for them to take part in conversations and frustrating to never be able to hear a waiter read off nightly specials at a restaurant because of background chatter. Hearing protection is an important part of work site safety, especially on the construction site. You might think ear plugs and noise-muffling headphones can be uncomfortable, look funny or are just plain annoying, but once your hearing is damaged there no getting it back. Check out the noise and hearing protection webpage at OSHA and make sure you and everyone at your company has their ears covered or plugged.

Want to compare your John Deere skid steer to other machines in the industry? Watch skid steer competition videos? Check out www.skidsteersmackdown.com. The site allows you to pick the Deere machine of your choice and watch an entertaining, interactive machine comparison.

Republican presidential candidate John McCain recently proposed a “gas tax holiday” this summer to give drivers and vacationers a break at the pumps. The Association of Equipment Manufacturers (AEM) released a statement on why they would oppose such a measure, citing its detrimental effect on the road building/repair industry. Other groups, including AAA, criticized the measure.

In today’s down economy, there are plenty of ideas floating around about ways to bring back a boom time. One article I found particularly interesting ran in the New York Times earlier this week and described a proposed tax break for first-time homebuyers as a way to stimulate the housing market.

As a member of the construction industry, you’re called on to perform jobs of all sizes, restore historic buildings, help give school children a place to learn and sick people a place to regain their health. But did you ever think you’d be called upon to remove a hex placed on the New York Yankees by some Red Sox-rooting, construction worker wise guy?!?! I had a great chuckle when I read an article in the New York Times that detailed two construction workers jackhammering through two and a half feet of concrete in order to excavate a David Ortizjersey a Red Sox fanatic buried in a recently poured slab as a means of placing a hex on the new Yanakee Stadium. Baseball fans, I just don’t get you … 

But here’s my question — Should the construction worker who buried that jersey, which resulted in who knows how much rework, get fired? Let me know what you think!

Over the last several months I’ve seen an increasing interest in concrete polishing throughout the industry. Contractors have been processing and polishing concrete for many years, but with polishing’s low-maintenance and “green” benefits, its popularity has exploded. Many of the contractors I spoke to or have written about lately are involved in concrete polishing and want to learn more, like Beyond Concrete and CSolutions/Middle Georgia Concrete Constructors, or are looking to get into this growing niche. One helpful resource I recently learned about is the Concrete Processing Technical Institute, an educational resource that offers training and accreditation in concrete polishing. Other polishing training resources include Bob Harris’s Decorative Concrete Institute and the manufacturers who sell grinding and polishing equipment. You can also learn more about concrete polishing in this overview of concrete processing or this story about concrete and LEED certification.

Today’s Chicago Tribune ran an article on concrete driveways. With Spring approaching (or already present in most parts of the U.S.), many homeowners will be looking for contractors to do various jobs around their homes like driveways, grilling patios and walkways. A little research and smart marketing can help concrete contractors grab some extra dollars on these types of projects. Got a homeowner who wants an estimate on replacing a concrete driveway? Give them a three-tier estimate — the plain concrete, colored concrete with a stamped border, and a fully stamped drive and stained concrete. You’ll be giving homeowners options they might not know about or know they wanted. A homeowner might not be able to afford a fully stamped and stained driveway, but a stamped pattern at the end of the driveway or a stamped border around the edge will give them some decorative flair and you some extra dollars.

I recently received a press release announcing an agreement between the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA) to develop and promote environmental management tools to help ready mixed concrete plants comply with their Clean Water Act obligations. This is one of many positive steps the concrete industry has been taking in the green direction. In addition, the NRMCA has a webpage that brings together all its “green industry” resources, and recently made available a CD-ROM containing reports and articles about sustainability and concrete. The “Research in Support of Sustainable Development.”CD is available through the NRMCA’s research and education arm by contacting Jennifer LeFevre at 240-485-1151 or at jlefevre@rmc-foundation.org.