Modern Contractor Solutions August 2020

AUGUST 2020

DIGITAL EDITION

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AUGUST 2020WWW.MCSMAG.COM

NETTING

SYSTEMS

SERVE CRITICAL ROLE

CONSTRUCTION

CHALLENGES

7 ISSUES TO KNOW

BUSINESS

RETOOLING

DIVERSIFY TO THRIVE

PAYLOAD

SECURE

CHAIN

TECHNOLOGY

ADVANCES

EQUIPMENT SOLUTION

5 Attributes for Telehandler Tires

SAFETY SOLUTION

Support (and Practice) Safe Digging

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION

Atlas Molded Products: ASTM Designation

MAINTENANCE SOLUTION

Warehouse Compliance

AUGUST 2020

VOLUME 14

ISSUE 08

Inside This Issue

ON THE COVER

Doleco’s revolutionary DoNova

PowerLash Textile Lashing Chain

and Tie Down System is made of

high-performance Dyneema

fiber.

Dyneema’s ultra-high-molecular-weight

polyethylene (UHMWPE) material is 15

times stronger than steel by weight,

and made into chain, up to 85 percent

lighter—so lightweight, in fact, that it

floats on water. The flexibility of DoNova

PowerLash chain promotes easier

handling of heavy-duty load securing

devices. See cover story on page 26.

www.doleco-usa.com

special

focus

IN EVERY ISSUE

Industry News ............................ 08

Modern Construction Products ... 61

What’s Trending ......................... 62

management solution

What Lurks Below

maturing of utility detection in heavy construction

equipment solution

Securing the Payload

new chain technology makes securement easier

project profile

Complex Made Simple

automatic excavator system

safety solution

Netting Systems

play a critical role

equipment

Reel Trailers

optimal equipment utilization

project profile

Ready to Roll Part 1 of 2

how 1,000 pounds of spinning metal changed the Missouri ditch liner industry

EQUIPMENT SOLUTION

5 Attributes for Telehandler Tires

SAFETY SOLUTION

Support (and Practice) Safe Digging

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTION

Atlas Molded Products: ASTM Designation

MAINTENANCE SOLUTION

Warehouse Compliance

Donna Campbell

Editor in Chief

EQUIPMENT MATTERS

This month’s issue focuses on equipment. I’m a big fan of equipment, tools, and digital

apps. The construction industry has truly evolved over the years, and COVID-19 has

certainly added to strengthened safety protocols and communication efforts. For many, it’s

a new frontier on the construction horizon.

With projects still underway in many parts of the U.S., equipment varies, and so do

the articles this month as we highlight Curb Roller Manufacturing (pg 14) and Topcon’s

Automatic Excavator System (pg 18). From cobble stone pavers being used to redo streets

in a community (pg 22) to the maturity of utility detection in heavy construction (pg 36), the

jobsites today are works of art. And, there is always room for improvement. Check out the

article on proactive problem prevention by Christine Corelli (pg 38) and the legal article on

business retooling (pg 44).

For commentary from the frontline, five questions were asked of The BILCO Company’s

general manager, Mike Toohey; see What’s Trending on page 62.

Finally, a huge THANK YOU to those that attended the premier MCS virtual expo this

month; I hope the attendees learned what’s new from our wonderful sponsors and

exhibitors. A special thanks to Caterpillar, Milwaukee Tool, Case, Hilti North America,

InEight, and construction industry thought leaders Randy Goruk and Wally Adamchik for

contributing to the webinar/podcast educational section of the expo; their help was greatly

appreciated. I’ll be sharing from the educational content in upcoming issues.

Stay well; be strong, my friends.

Cheers,

www.mcsmag.com

P.O. Box 660197 | Birmingham, AL 35266

DONNA CAMPBELL

Editor in Chief

donna@mcsmag.com

MIKE BARKER

Publisher

mike@mcsmag.com

RANDY MOON

Media Consultant

randym@mcsmag.com

MICHAEL FISCHBACH

Media Consultant

michael@mcsmag.com

JOHN FRIEND

Media Consultant

john@mcsmag.com

KEVIN MCCLARAN

Media Consultant

kevin@mcsmag.com

LISA AVERY

Art Director

lisa@mcsmag.com

CRISTELA TSCHUMY

Graphic Designer

cristela@mcsmag.com

SETH SAUNDERS

Digital Media Specialist

seth@mcsmag.com

INGRID BERKY

Office Manager

ingrid@mcsmag.com

TIM GARMON

CEO

RUSSELL HADDOCK

President

CHRIS GARMON

CFO

DONNA CAMPBELL

Vice President, Editorial

TONYA BROWNING

Vice President

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or mechanical, including photocopy, recording, or any

information storage-and-retrieval system without

permission in writing from the publisher. The views

expressed by those not on the staff of Modern

Contractor Solutions, or who are not specifically

employed by Highlands Publications are purely

their own. All Industry News material has either

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directly from its corporate website, which is

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@mcsmag

Modern Contractor

Solutions Magazine

Modern Contractor

Solutions

PROJECT PROFILES

Ready to Roll: Part 1 of 2 ........................................... 14

Complex Made Simple .............................................. 18

Mitigate Flooding ...................................................... 22

EQUIPMENT SOLUTIONS

Securing the Payload ................................................. 26

Reel Trailers .............................................................. 30

“True” All-electric Machine ........................................ 34

MANAGEMENT SOLUTIONS

What Lurks Below ..................................................... 36

3Ps to the Rescue ..................................................... 38

SOFTWARE SOLUTION

Digital Transformation ............................................... 42

LEGAL SOLUTION

Business Retooling .................................................... 44

TECHNOLOGY SOLUTIONS

Moving Forward ........................................................ 46

Sound Decisions ....................................................... 48

SAFETY SOLUTION

Netting Systems ........................................................ 52

MAINTENANCE SOLUTION

Concrete’s Enemy: Water .......................................... 56

FEATURED PRODUCT

Diablo Drill Bits ......................................................... 60

HOW TO NAVIGATE PROJECT

SLOWDOWNS IN POST-COVID-19

Guest Post by Holly Welles

Birmingham Native on Frontlines of U.S. Navy Coronavirus Fight

By Rick Burke, Navy Office of Community Outreach

Petty Officer 2nd Class Eric Johnson, a native of Birmingham, Alabama, is playing a critical role in the U.S.

Navy’s efforts to maintain a healthy and ready fighting force in the face of the Coronavirus pandemic. As a

hospital corpsman and preventive medicine technician working at Navy Environmental and Preventive Medicine

Unit FIVE in San Diego, Johnson’s skills are vital to maintaining the health of the sailors in the San Diego area,

and by extension, the readiness of the Navy’s operational ships and submarines on which they serve.

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inquiries or changes:

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AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com8

industry news

HENSEL PHELPS IMPLEMENTS RAKEN COMPANY-WIDE

TO IMPROVE EFFICIENCY IN THE FIELD

Raken, the top-rated mobile field management solution for the

construction industry, announces an enterprise agreement with

Hensel Phelps, one of the largest employee-owned general

contractors in the U.S. During its trial phase, Hensel Phelps saw

nearly 100 percent compliance with Raken’s platform across

its workforce. This high compliance rate is the reason behind

the contractor’s decision to implement Raken company-wide

to produce efficient daily reports and gather insightful data

from the field. Hensel Phelps has chosen to deploy Raken in

addition to ProjectSight for its project and field management

needs, respectively. For more, visit www.rakenapp.com or

www.henselphelps.com.

DEWALT REVITALIZES ITS PORTABLE STORAGE LINE

WITH TOUGHSYSTEM 2.0

DEWALT announces its new ToughSystem

2.0 Storage

System, which offers improved durability and modularity versus

previous units, is now available. With an increased wheel size

and a durable design, they can withstand the rough treatment

of the jobsite, workshop, and van racking. The ToughSystem

line includes a wide range of products, from storage boxes

and organizers, to trolleys as well as racking. Fully backwards

compatible with the original ToughSystem products launched

in 2011, the ToughSystem 2.0 Storage System has upgraded

features and provides users with customizable storage

solutions to fit their jobsite needs. The next generation of

ToughSystem includes a Toolbox (DWST08165), a Large Toolbox

(DWST08300), an Extra-Large Toolbox (DWST08400), and a

Rolling Toolbox (DWST08450), all sold separately. For more, visit

www.dewalt.com.

CATERPILLAR CELEBRATES PRODUCTION OF 175,000

MEDIUM HIGH DRIVE DOZERS

In 1985, Caterpillar expanded its revolutionary elevated sprocket

undercarriage concept to its medium track-type tractor (MTTT)

line with the launch of the H-Series models. Still unique to

this day for the 130 to 350 hp (100 to 250 kW) dozer class, the

high drive design conformed to the ground better, improving

durability, serviceability, and performance compared to low-drive

and oval track designs.

The Cat

D4H, D5H, D6H, and D7H dozer models were the first

to feature the high drive design, and in 1987, the D8L model was

added to the family. In addition to bringing many of the same

large dozer advantages to the medium line, the elevated drive

sprocket allowed movement of the front and rear track idlers.

This helped to fine-tune machine balance and ground pressure

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industry news

for specific applications more easily than oval track machines.

For the first time, variable pitch angle tilt (VPAT) blades were

made available to high drive dozers with the D4H and D5H

models for finishing jobs faster by grading at higher speeds.

Thirty-five years later, Caterpillar celebrates the unrivaled

success of the elevated sprocket design in the medium dozer

class by producing three commemorative 175,000 units in May

2020. “One of the original taglines to promote the early high

drive tractors was ‘Beyond Known Capabilities,’ because these

units set a new standard for efficiency, productivity and ease of

operation,” says Wes Holm, chief engineer, Caterpillar medium

tractor products. “With our next generation medium dozer line,

which includes the new D5, D6, and D7 models, we continue

to push these envelopes through adaptation of technology to

drive productivity and efficiency to another level.” For more, visit

www.cat.com.

DEDICATED SALES TEAM AT MAX USA HITS A STRONG

FIRST HALF

The sales team at MAX USA hit a strong first half throughout the

U.S. this year. With the growing TwinTier platform and PowerLite

high pressure tools the market has shown high interest in the

products offered to the construction market. Southwest regional

sales executive, Gary Tharp had the largest regional growth with a

64 percent increase, whereas John Parsons, Midwest regional sales

executive increased his profit margin with a 55 percent growth.

Since 2016, Gary Tharp has been working with new and

existing clients at MAX to bridge his 40 years of sales

experience full circle. His leadership quality and ability to

encourage contractors to integrate the technical innovations

through MAX, has proven to be no different. With an individual

64 percent of growth in the Southwest territory, Gary has found

that the tilt-up construction market seems to be one of the

increasing ways for contractors to keep the workforce moving.

“Being able to educate our clients on how our TwinTier

platform can deliver cost and time effective measures in

the field has proven to be extremely beneficial,” says Gary.

“Additionally, we are finding that because of these key

deliverables, the labor shortage can be overcome with the

integration this technology.”

When it comes to influencing the construction market with

new opportunities to address day-to-day challenges, John

Parsons works with his clients to identify their processes to

help evolve core operations in the field. With a personal sales

increase of 55 percent in just the first half of this year, John

has demonstrated that being an active member in this industry

and working to provide a service peddles itself. John shares,

“For the past 6 years, I have worked onsite with our growing

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com12

industry news

partnerships to support their solutions and help them maintain

dependability, efficiency, and above all, safer operations.

Specifically, with the RB401T-E, I have been able to demonstrate

this breakthrough rebar tying technology and how it is shaping

road and bridge sites. We have an extremely unique tool that

is allowing ironworks to deploy the technology in an upright

position that avoids the constant back pain and injuries

as a result from the labor-intensive work.” For more, visit

www.maxusacorp.com.

MILWAUKEE TOOL INTEGRATES ONE-KEY™ WITH

AUTODESK BIM 360

Milwaukee Tool announces its One-Key™ digital platform

now integrates with Autodesk Construction Cloud’s BIM 360

construction management software, enabling customers to

seamlessly share information between the two solutions and

enhance asset tracking, project management, and reporting.

As the industry’s largest and most robust asset management

platform and tracking network, One-Key incorporates industry-

leading tool electronics with a custom-built, cloud-based software

application to provide control over asset data and simplifying the

way construction projects get done. The Milwaukee Tool One-

Key and BIM 360 integration provides enhanced control, tying in

critical project information to further inform asset management.

Once users link their One-Key account with their BIM

360 account, master records like Projects and Contacts can

be imported directly into One-Key, keeping collaboration

systems synchronized. Furthermore, users of Milwaukee’s

new M12 FUEL™ Digital Torque Wrenches will be able to

upload torque reports directly from One-Key into BIM 360

Docs, digitally syncing torque quality data from the field to

the back office. Milwaukee plans to roll out similar reporting

functionalities with other tools over time. For more, visit

onekey.milwaukeetool.com.

BUYERS PRODUCTS BREAKS GROUND ON MASSIVE,

STATE-OF-THE-ART WAREHOUSE EXPANSION

Buyers Products, a leading manufacturer in the work truck

equipment industry, is doubling the size of its distribution center

and corporate headquarters in Mentor, Ohio, to accommodate

the company’s growing business needs.

The expansion includes 280,000 square feet of 67-foot-high,

brand new, state-of-the-art warehouse space with 20 additional

docks. Simultaneously Buyers will add another 17,500 square

feet of office space and expand its employee parking. Buyers

current warehouse stands at 250,000 square feet. It was built

in 2002 and expanded to its current size in 2007. For more, visit

www.buyersproducts.com.

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AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com14

project profile

Ready to Roll

how 1,000 pounds of spinning metal

changed the Missouri ditch liner industry

PROJECT INNOVATION SUCCESS

PART 1 OF 2

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

ear the Kansas City International Airport lies a well-

traveled stretch of road that connects NE Cookingham

Drive to I-435. A 20-mile jaunt separates the airport from

downtown Kansas City, and while some drivers might make

their way via the direct I-29 route, others choose the I-435 route

that might take a little longer but sees less traffic.

If drivers happened to take the Cookingham/I-435 route

during late summer 2019, they may have caught a glimpse of an

impressive road construction project and some never-before-seen

equipment. The construction site was home to a 24-foot-wide,

1,000-pound rolling tube of steel. And a real head-turner it was.

THE PROBLEM

The onramp that connects Cookingham Drive to I-435 appears

to the naked eye to be a standard ramp, but the positioning of

the onramp and the surrounding area were causing headaches

for the Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT). A

field that runs parallel to the ramp often produces significant

rainwater runoff that makes its way onto the onramp. In a usual

case, rainwater and subsequent runoff don’t pose huge issues

for highways and ramps, but this was a different story.

Sedimentary dirt and debris filled the south side of the ditch

and the onramp. As the ditch filled up with sediment and dirt

carried by the runoff, the material would spill over onto the

south lane of the onramp. This presented slippery, dangerous

situations for drivers heading for the interstate at 55-60 mph.

To combat the issue, MoDOT maintenance crews used heavy-

duty equipment to tackle the buildup, closing the onramp every

few years to clear the ditch and roadway with skid steers, track

hoes, and several haul trucks. Last time they cleaned it, they

shut down the onramp for 2 days to complete the cleaning. This

method solved the problem temporarily but created headaches

for drivers and a lot of unnecessary work for crews.

MoDOT tried incorporating pre-shaped paved flumes to carry the

rainwater, but the flumes filled up just as quickly as the unpaved

ditch and required just as much cleaning. MoDOT contemplated

installing a rock-based lining, but research showed the quickly

accumulating rainwater would likely carry the rocks away.

MoDOT continued to search for a viable solution to address

the maintenance problem and finally found a permanent answer

as part of a large concrete patching job on the roadway.

UNIQUE SOLUTION

In the early summer of 2019, Realm Construction was

subcontracted to patch the concrete on Cookingham Drive and the

onramp to I-435. Manager of Field Operations Russ Stark and his

team specialize in concrete patchwork. They completed that portion

of the job and then sat down to find a way to tackle the ditch liner,

which was a concrete project they were less familiar with.

Stark, who has worked for Realm for more than 11 years,

needed to find a solution that would stay within the budget and

the assigned timeframe. The mission was to essentially line the

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com16

project profile

ditch with concrete, and Stark initially

only knew of one conventional method to

accomplish it.

That method was to form the ditch in

a sectional approach. This could be done

either by pouring the bottom concrete

and pulling a tube or screed up by

hand, or pouring it transverse—coming

down the slope to the bottom and then

back up. Crews would pour one 20-foot

bay, skip a 20-foot area, pour another

20-foot bay and so on. The next day,

after the bays dried, crews could fill in

the alternating empty areas. While this

method is inexpensive and proven, it is

time consuming and physically taxing.

“If we approached this project the

conventional way, we’d only be able to pour

about four bays a day, which is 80 feet of

ditch liner a day,” Stark says. “At that rate,

the project would have taken us 15-20 days.

I knew we could do it quicker than that.”

Stark’s ultimate solution would include

an approach that might end up with a

higher initial equipment cost. But could

that additional investment in equipment

end up saving him time and money?

Stark proposed commissioning a

large metal flume drum from Curb

Roller Manufacturing. The company is

known for their hydraulic- and battery-

powered concrete roller screeds, but also

manufactures custom-sized rolling drums.

The drums are commonly used for pouring

streets, medians, v-gutters or flumes, and

while the company prides itself on creating

custom solutions, this drum exceeded the

size of any created in the past.

“I had seen a ditch liner drum on a

different project a year prior and asked

the contractor—Clarkson Construction—

who made it,” Stark says. “It was only

about 14 feet wide and I knew we’d need

something nearly double that size. But I

thought it could work.”

Curb Roller Manufacturing, based out

of Fairview, Kansas, has been serving all

industries from landscapers to government

entities for more than 10 years. When

Realm Construction approached them with

the custom request, they were eager to

engineer a solution.

PROJECT STIPULATION

The contractors were also ready to begin

the project, but delivering an oversized

custom drum to a jobsite had its obstacles.

First, Stark had to get approval from MoDOT

to implement this unique equipment and

process. He presented his case, highlighting

the potential for a better finished product

and a significantly improved timeline.

Matt Daulton, MoDOT resident engineer

for the project, reviewed Stark’s proposal

and approved with one stipulation—using

the Curb Roller couldn’t increase the

overall cost of the project.

“We try to encourage innovation on

every project,” Daulton says. “I had

never seen something like this, but our

contractors and manufacturers in the

industry often have new ideas and the

best answers. So, we were open to it.”

After gaining clearance from MoDOT,

Stark and his team had to work with the

grading and excavation subcontractor who

was preparing the ditch. The original design

of the ditch, before implementing the

Curb Roller idea, included varying widths

and a flat bottom. This approach would

save grading and excavating costs on a

traditional concrete project, but the Curb

Roller method would require a consistent

width to successfully lay concrete. Stark

was convinced that the extra cost in grading

and excavating would make up for itself in

the time savings down the line.

If the crews had done the whole project

by hand, there would have been an

increased potential for neck, knee, and

back injuries along the way.

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

“I knew that this would create a more

uniform product, which would be easier

for MoDOT maintenance to clean out,”

Stark says. “The original cross section of

the ditch had varying slope widths and

lengths through the entire 1,600-foot-

long ditch liner. So, we had to get the

grading team to adjust and create a

consistent canvas for the concrete.”

While the grading and excavating

teams prepared the base, Stark worked

with Curb Roller Manufacturing to design

and craft the perfect flume drum.

HERE COMES THE DRUM

Kraig Pyle, general manager of Curb

Roller Manufacturing, worked with Stark

throughout the planning process. While

the company specializes in custom

drums, they’d never designed something

of this magnitude before.

“We had designed drums as long and

as large in diameter, but never with this

kind of combination,” Pyle says. “This

was so impressive because it had such

a large pan and slope wings. We know

the capabilities of our product and we

were confident taking on this challenge.

We knew that with a few adjustments

and alterations, we could pull this off and

save the contractor time and labor.”

Stark officially submitted his order

to Curb Roller Manufacturing: a 24-foot

wide, 1,000-pound hollow rolling flume

drum. He calculated the required slope

of the sides of the ditch according to

MoDOT requirements. Each wing section

of the drum was 8 feet wide, with an

8-foot flat pan section in the middle. The

drum was 52 inches in diameter with 4:1

backslopes. Since the ditch liner itself is 2

feet deep, they achieved a 25-degree rise

by implementing a 1-foot drop for every

4-foot run.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Pyle sent Stark a design of the product,

which he promptly approved. The company

delivered the drum to the jobsite just 5

days later. Look for part 2 of this article

in the next issue of MCS as the project

unfolds and the savings are discovered.

for more information

Curb Roller Manufacturing has been the world

leader in shaped concrete roller screeds

for more than 10 years. With high-quality

products for everyday concrete work, Curb

Roller’s ergonomic machines make it easy to

shape standard curb, gutter, and sidewalks,

flume, v-gutter, swale, and other unique

shapes. For more, visit www.curbroller.com.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com18

project profile

Complex Made Simple

automatic excavator system provides design and position

DESIGNED TO OPTIMIZE

By Jeff Winke

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

he history of the construction

excavator goes back quite some

time. The very first excavator is said

to have been built in 1882 by Sir W. G.

Armstrong & Company in England, where

it was used in the construction of Port of

Hull docks. Unlike today’s excavators that

use hydraulic fluid, water was used to

operate the hydraulic functions back then.

It was not a true hydraulic machine, but an

approximation that used cables to operate

the bucket, and with a hydraulic cylinder

operating a set of multiplying sheaves.

The idea on Sir W. G. Armstrong’s machine

was not successful, nor were machines

of somewhat similar design, which

followed and were built into the start

of the 20th century.

INNOVATION IN DESIGN

These first excavators and successors

that were developed and evolved well

into the 1990’s are virtual dinosaurs

when compared to the sophisticated

machines available for the mining,

construction, and utility markets

today. Today, construction equipment

manufacturers have an emphasis on

developing technologically advanced and

efficient excavators that are designed to

be more productive. Manufacturers are

also trying to meet the propelling growth

of the global excavator market.

From large construction areas to small

jobs in tight areas, there are a wide

range of excavators to meet the needs

of any construction job. Conventional

tail swing models are designed to offer

increased side and lifting stability,

while the minimum tail swing models

are designed for jobs in tight quarters,

with no room for wasted movement. All

technologically-advanced excavators are

designed to optimize the material moving

process in the construction industry.

AUTOMATED CONTROL

There have also been developments in how

heavy equipment is controlled. Automated

control has changed the earthmoving

process with GPS machine control systems

governing motor graders and dozers.

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com22

project profile

uilt along the edges of several

canals in Foster City, California,

the Island J complex has been

compared to Santorini, Greece, for

its flat roofs and linear patterns, as

well as its quaint cobblestone streets.

When the city was developed 60 years

ago, the architect insisted on having

design freedom over what is now the

Island J complex, making it unique

from surrounding neighborhoods.

However, over time, its once beautiful

streets have been through numerous

repair projects aimed at replacing

broken cobblestones at the lowest

possible cost.

The result was a patchwork of

stone, concrete, and asphalt that not

only detracted from Island J’s overall

aesthetic and equity, but also created

flooding and safety concerns for its

residents. The Island J Homeowner’s

Association (HOA) recently underwent a

$2 million project to replace all 100,000

square feet of its roadways with

Belgard’s Cambridge Cobble in Tuscana

color. As a result, the community has

seen the return of its timeless aesthetic

and an increase in overall equity.

“Residents have always asked if we

could return to pavers instead of asphalt,

but all previous estimates we received

just put that dream out of reach,”

explains Bart Besseling, Island J HOA

president. “So, we saved for 10 years

to have enough money to replace the

roads with asphalt and then spoke with

several contractors.”

FINDING THE SOLUTION

Among the companies Besseling

contacted was Modern Paving; the

company’s vice president, David Tetrault,

explains they didn’t work on asphalt

projects. However, after discussing the

parameters of the project he provided an

estimate for using pavers. “After talking

to him, we were surprised and thrilled

to find out we actually could afford to

restore the beautiful look of pavers to the

community for less than we’d saved for

the asphalt,” says Besseling.

The commercial-thickness (80mm)

pavers are a special order, manufactured

in Belgard’s facility in nearby Stockton,

California. The fact that Belgard could

deliver them within 4 to 6 weeks, more

quickly than other companies who bid

on the project, was also a key selling

feature. “We could start work within the

desired timeframe because we didn’t

have to wait for material,” says Tetrault.

FUTURISTIC CITY CONCEPT

Foster City, California, was an engineering

feat, developed—or, more literally, was

filled, formed, and constructed—in 1958.

The city’s concept was considered so

unique and futuristic at the time that

models and artists’ renderings of it were

displayed at the Modern Art Museum in

San Francisco. Developer T. Jack Foster

and his sons purchased 4 square-miles

of land known as Brewer’s Island and

set out to build a new city from scratch

over the mud flats of the San Francisco

Bay. The island was situated at mean

sea level, so surface elevation needed

to be raised 4 to 5 feet. To accomplish

this, 14 million cubic yards of sand was

pumped from San Francisco Bay onto

Brewer’s Island over the course of 6

years (24 hours a day, 7 days a week). A

central drainage basin from which water

could be pumped back into the Bay was

also created. This now serves as Foster

City’s beautiful lagoon, a centerpiece on

which residents and visitors alike enjoy

numerous recreational activities.

RESTORING THE STREETS

As the city’s original streets eroded and

were replaced with large, flat asphalt

surfaces, the struggle against water

resurfaced. After significant rainfall, several

homes in the community would have large

puddles in the front yard for weeks until

the ground could soak it back up. “The

streets had become bumpy over time, so

this new project gave us a chance to level

everything out and also correct the slopes

for better drainage,” says Besseling.

The streets of Island J were in fact

long overdue for maintenance and repair;

previous HOA boards had neglected to

do reserve studies to schedule and pay

for it. “When this board came in during

the early 2000s, we found we were $5

million dollars behind in maintenance

for all components,” explains Besseling.

“We spent several years mitigating other

issues, and the streets are the last of

these overdue projects we’re tackling.”

Tetrault and his team provided a very

comprehensive presentation for the HOA

Mitigate Flooding

restoring original charm with cobble pavers

ICONIC ISLAND COMMUNITY

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

that laid out how they would install the

paver system. Besseling notes, “The

quality of their work and work ethic of

their personnel was very clear from that

presentation and we were happy to move

forward with them.”

The HOA chose Belgard’s Cambridge

Cobble in Tuscana color because it

complemented the Islands’ bright color

scheme of white, blue, and yellow

properties. “The homes are the equity,

so we didn’t want to draw attention away

from them, but rather to blend nicely

with them,” says Besseling.

STRUCTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

Although choosing the design aesthetic

for the roadways was easy enough, there

were many structural considerations.

Tetrault recommends using geotextile

fabric between the soil and the paver

system “to keep the system independent

of what’s going on beneath it,” he says.

He also specified the commercial-grade

pavers because of The Islands’ resident

traffic, as well as a lot of heavy truck

traffic. The area is comprised of several,

narrow and curvy streets that Foster City

fire and police use as a monthly training

route, and garbage and recycling trucks

come through twice a week.

To minimize negative impact on The

Islands’ residents during installation,

Modern Paving and the HOA came up

with a well-organized plan. Modern

Paving worked on a small stretch of

street at a time, including one of several

parking lots. Work began after people

left for the workday and stopped at five

o’clock. Even mail was rescheduled to

be delivered after five. A ramp would

allow people to drive over the work area

to their homes. “We say it’s a temporary

inconvenience for a permanent

improvement,” says Besseling.

With more than half the installation

complete, the new roads look better,

provide better drainage and even improve

residents’ safety. “The asphalt roads felt

like a freeway, so people drove at freeway

speeds,” explains Besseling. “We have a

lot of young families in this community

and kids play in the streets, so it became

a concern. Pavers automatically make

people drive more slowly.”

CLOSING THOUGHT

The project also offers a good return

on investment with increased property

values. On average, the units in The

Islands sell for approximately $1.2

million. “Having new, sturdy, and good-

looking roads increases the equity

of the entire HOA, which will also

positively impact the value of each unit,”

says Besseling.

for more information

Belgard, part of Oldcastle APG, offers

a complete collection of paver and wall

products for outdoor living spaces,

walkways, driveways, parking areas,

and retaining walls. For more, visit

www.belgardcommercial.com.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com24

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com26

equipment solution

Securing the Payload

new chain technology makes open-deck

cargo securement easier

BEST PRACTICES

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

nyone who has ever had to

secure cargo with chains knows

that simply getting the chains in

position to begin securing the payload

can be quite a task. Thirty-foot lengths

of half-inch, 100-grade steel chain can

weigh as much as 85 pounds each,

98 pounds if you carry the necessary

15-pound load binder at the same time.

Now, multiply that by the number of

chains that may be needed to adequately

secure a load and you can be talking

about a lot of cumulative weight.

“We use a different amount of chain

for each load depending on the load

weight and available securement points,”

says Ace Carter, engineer for Northwest

Logistics Heavy Haul, an Oklahoma-

based heavy-haul service provider

doing business throughout the U.S. and

Canada. “A theoretical load requiring 14,

30-foot, half-inch 100-grade steel chains

and binders with a 15,000-pound working

load limit (WLL), would add up to about

1,372 pounds of securement, and simply

deploying this is a long and strenuous

task for even a two-man crew.

SECURING CARGO

Once the chains are situated around a

trailer and its cargo, the real work begins.

Some cargo items have engineered anchor

points that enable workers to connect load

securement devices directly to the cargo

and this is known as “direct” securement.

Read more about evolving to

all-electric, lithium batteries,

and the reduction in the

total cost of ownership in

this article on mcsmag.com

about the author

Rafael Nunez is senior product manager,

scissor & vertical lifts, with JLG Industries, Inc.

JLG launched the new Davinci-series scissor

lift at ConExpo earlier this year. For more, visit

www.jlg.com.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com36

ne of the biggest threats facing construction projects

today is an invisible one that lurks just below the

surface. The labyrinth of pipelines and utilities buried

under modern cities pose a significant risk to projects. In 2018,

workers reported more than 330,000 underground utilities

strikes in the United States and more than 11,000 in Canada.

That was an increase of about 13.5 percent since 2015,

numbers show.

On average, there is a utility strike somewhere in North

America every 10 seconds, but it’s a problem that doesn’t have

to exist, and there is a clear solution. In eliminating the threat,

organizations can save money—not to mention headaches or

even the potential for loss of human life.

Data from The Civil Quarterly (TCQ), a new publication launched

in July 2020 from Dodge Data & Analytics, revealed contractors

in heavy construction are facing supply chain issues and other

challenges in keeping their jobsites going amid COVID-19.

But digging deeper, this brand-new data also revealed that 63

percent of the contractors contacted for the study are currently

using or considering using utility detection tools. A staggering

two-thirds of contractors shared a new prioritization on safety

investments overall, to include utility detection.

According to a somewhat dated Purdue University study,

which remains the most commonly cited in the industry,

companies can save $4.62 for every dollar spent on utility

detection. Other estimates show potentially more significant

cost savings, possibly reaching $18 for every dollar spent.

Regardless, the savings can total billions of dollars every year.

Shutting down a project because of a utility strike can easily

cost companies $2,000 or more per hour, a significant impact on

the bottom line of any company or project.

OPTIONS TO DETECT

Many utility strikes result from excavation mistakes. Others are

made because crews didn’t report they were digging or because

of errors in reporting underground utilities’ existence.

There are two primary technologies to help crews detect

underground utilities: electromagnetic locators and ground-

penetrating radar.

These technologies work differently, so one is not necessarily

superior. Electromagnetic locators effectively locate metal or

metallicized utilities, while ground-penetrating radar can help

find other buried items, such as plastic pipes.

Remaining vigilant while excavating a jobsite remains of

paramount importance as neither tool is guaranteed to find

everything, particularly items found buried deeper than 15 feet.

But, working in tandem, these tools capture the overwhelming

majority of buried utilities.

A GROWING FIELD

The field of super subsurface utility engineering continues

to evolve as it matures. It is poised for significant growth as

projects become increasingly complex and budgets tighten,

making mistakes even more costly.

There are three emerging sections within the utility detection

arena: utility companies, specialized detection companies, and

construction companies that take it on themselves. Now there

are new—and easier-to-use tools—that are simplifying utility

detection across the industry.

Today, 40 percent of contractors use utility detection tools,

while another 23 percent use or consider the technology,

according to TCQ.

BE WARY OF FREE

There are free options for detecting underground utilities. While

these are tempting, it’s important to remember the old adage,

“you get what you pay for.”

An estimated 65 percent of the buried utility lines in North

America are deemed private, so many buried utilities aren’t fully

verified. Considering utility owners aren’t necessarily required

to participate in nonprofit programs—such as the Common

Ground Alliance’s 811 program—that help companies locate

underground utilities before they dig, and there is a potential

recipe for disaster.

While asset owners theoretically know where their

underground utilities are buried, free services often inaccurately

mark the locations. It’s one thing for a homeowner to receive

wrong markings, it’s another for bad markings on a significant

What Lurks Below

the maturing of utility

detection in heavy construction

NEW DODGE REPORT

By Simon Pedley

management solution

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

commercial project where millions of

dollars—and even dozens of lives—are

at stake.

IT’S ABOUT SAVING TIME

Mapping utilities used to be a time-

consuming affair, as crews would have to

download data from a detecting device,

upload it to another system, and then

cross-reference the data to make sure

where they planned to dig is safe.

It’s no problem for teams with days to

spare, but today, it’s about getting the

information in real time to keep crews

active and working safely and efficiently.

Modern solutions have changed

the approach, making it easier for

companies of all sizes to understand

what lies beneath their project and

keep everyone on their team in the

loop. They can also be deployed by

small teams or single team members,

making these solutions well-suited for

the new social distancing requirements

amid the COVID-19 pandemic. Due

to the easy-to-use and advanced

implementation of these solutions, they

can also be deployed without hiring

additional team members or undergoing

extensive training.

But, detecting utilities is just the first

step in the process.

Tools employ smart algorithms to

create digital utility maps in minutes,

displaying detected results while users

are still in the field, allowing project

managers to make real-time decisions.

Users can export the data for use with

post-processing software and machines,

or they can overlay with additional

data for a more robust picture of

an environment.

CLOSING THOUGHT

Technology is a powerful enabler of a

better way to approach problems facing

organizations today. From advanced,

multi-dimensional drawings of project

sites to realistic 3D renderings of

new projects months or even years

before completion, technology has

revolutionized the construction industry,

and utility detection is no exception.

There is no reason to strike an

underground utility because the crew

did not take the time to try and locate it.

Today’s available solutions streamline

processes and make the jobsite safer

and allow project managers and their

teams to avoid inadvertent strikes of

buried pipelines and utilities.

Simply using this technology can

save thousands—potentially millions—

in fees, repairs and lost time. Why

wait any longer?

about the author

Simon Pedley is the detection sales manager

in North America for Leica Geosystems. His

expertise lies within the latest detection

tools and technology, as well as supporting

customers in damage prevention, safety

monitoring, and utility mapping.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com38

management solution

hat quote from Ben Franklin

applies to many things in business

and in life. It especially applies to

handling problems and complaints.

What’s the best way to handle problems

and complaints? There are many answers

to that question. Essentially, with the

utmost professionalism; with cool, calm

collectedness; with tact and diplomacy.

Here’s the BEST answer: Avoid them

in the first place! I’m a firm believer in

the best practice of Proactive Complaint

and Problem Prevention.

As a contractor, there are numerous

actions to take that will help you to

avoid problems and complaints. Review

and implement these best practices

of progressive contractors to reduce

problems and complaints.

A FEW MORE TIPS

• “Oh, come on Sam. We don’t need a

meeting. We’ve worked with you for

years!” Go over the punch list with

your subs on every job—even if you

have worked for years with the sub

and you know they do a great job.

Let the sub know that the prework

meeting to go over the punch list is

not optional. It is mandatory.

• Document every complaint and

talk about how they could have

been avoided.

• Hold weekly meetings to discuss

“Hits,” “Runs,” and “Misses.”

• Have your accounting team check

and double check every entry into

your accounting system.

• On a regular basis, ask your

project manager, accountant,

office manager, etc. this question:

“Is there anything I should know

about?” If you don’t ask, they may

not tell you.

• Demand workers to start working

at start time, and not stand around

chatting and drinking coffee for

half an hour before they

get started.

• Keep your tools and equipment

in tip top shape. Note when

parts need to be replaced and

equipment needs maintenance

service. No one likes downtime.

• Communication and accountability

from each member of your team is

imperative to accomplish even the

simplest task.

• Hold weekly meetings with your

superintendent, project managers,

and foremen to talk about the week

before; discuss any problems that

occurred and how you could have

avoided potential problems.

• Make sure your estimator applies

their expertise, skills, and

knowledge to account for any

uncertainties that might arise during

a construction project.

• Make sure every department and

every employee will make every

effort to provide great service to

each other. If they don’t, how can

you develop a reputation for being a

top-notch contractor?

• Check and cross-check the punch

list with pertinent documents.

• Keep your client informed when

a problem occurs. Honesty is the

best policy.

• Instruct every employee to display

a sense of urgency to respond to

any request.

• Never make a promise you

can’t keep.

• Ask complete questions, paraphrase

to reconfirm what customers want

so you don’t make a mistake.

• If you are not sure of something,

just ask!

3Ps to the Rescue

an ounce of prevention

is worth a pound of cure

By Christine Corelli

PROACTIVE | PROBLEM | PREVENTION

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

WHEN YOU CAN’T HELP

What do you say when there’s a

complaint or problem? Use words and

phrases that display professionalism

and empathy. This can be challenging—

especially when you have to deal with

someone who thinks they know better

than you! The following are examples

of phrases known by customer service

professionals as “verbal cushions.”

These should help you face these

difficult situations.

• “John, I would like to be able

to tell you I can do this for you.

Unfortunately, it’s not feasible with

this project.” Then, explain why.

• “Based on my experience, this could

have been avoided if…”

• “I don’t blame you for being upset,

Mr. Smith. I would feel the same if I

were you.”

• “I feel really bad about this, John. It

couldn’t be helped.”

• “I’m understand the seriousness of

being behind. The I appreciate your

patience. The weather has been

against us.”

• “I apologize if there’s been a

misunderstanding. Mr. Smith,

I’ll talk with the project manager

immediately and get back

to you as soon as I obtain

answers for you.”

• “I am sorry that you think you

were overcharged, Joe. Let’s walk

through the invoice together. If

there are any errors, we will make

corrections immediately.”

• “I understand your position, John. If

I could do more for you, I would.”

Take the leadership role. Work with

your team to create your own list.

Print it out so everyone has them and

consistently update them.

CLOSING THOUGHT

A final word on problems and

complaints: Never carry an encounter

with a difficult client or situation

over to your next job, or take it out

on your team. Understand that times

are tough for everyone these days.

Accept that in the construction

business, and in every business,

complaints and problems come

with the territory. What is most

important is that you have systems

and procedures to prevent them

from occurring. Proactive complaint

and problem prevention is a

smart practice.

about the author

Christine Corelli is a conference speaker,

workshop facilitator, and business

columnist. She has worked with an

abundance of construction contractor

companies and been a featured speaker at

industry associations. To contact her for an

upcoming meeting, conference, or special

event, call 847.477.7376. For more, visit

www.christinespeaks.com.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com40

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AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com42

software solution

Digital Transformation

more attainable than ever before

By AJ Waters

IT HAS ALREADY BEGUN

ven with the advancements

we have made in personal

technology, the mention of a digital

transformation continues to set off

alarms for many companies, especially

in construction. The continually evolving

nature of technology means digital

transformations are more akin to ongoing

cultural shifts than a single finite project.

The move to digitize the way we

work has become a fundamental part

of our daily lives that can no longer

be dismissed as an idea reserved

for corporate giants with seemingly

unlimited resources. Implementations

are no longer as complicated or labor

intensive as they once were, thanks

to the leaps forward in consumer

technology, and construction

companies of all sizes are beginning

to reap benefits.

HIDDEN IN PLAIN VIEW

From the advent of the first computer,

digital transformations were being

consumed at different levels based on

available budget and savvy. Remember

how BlackBerry took corporations by

storm? However, that all began to change

with the announcement of the first-

generation iPhone. The race to create

consumer level advanced technology

was on, and now almost everyone

carries around the most advanced mobile

devices in their pocket.

With the explosion of mobile

technology came the need for a cloud

backbone to support it. Today, the cloud

is everywhere, and rightfully so, with our

ever-increasing use of data catapulting

cloud businesses to exponential

consumer growth.

But there is an often-overlooked

component that arguably has been

more vital than each of these. User

experience (UX) and user interface took

center stage as developers went to work

accommodating these new screens and

speeds. No digital transformation is

ever successful without being intuitive

to the end user, and this move to

consumer mobility was no different. As

evidenced by the rapid UX professional

growth over the last decade, rising from

100,000 in 2010 to over a million in 2020,

technology developers scrambled to

make platforms easier to use, and easier

to saturate into the market.

ACCELERATING CHANGE

This rapid consumerization of digital

transformations has business benefits,

too. The very first versions of estimating

software required a dedicated machine

loaded with a set of twelve floppy disks,

installed in a particular order. However,

thanks to the enterprise advancements in

cloud computing, today it is as simple as

typing a URL into a web browser that’s

already installed on your PC.

The same is true with mobile

technology. Most of your on-site

personnel are already carrying a smart

phone and the download of a simple

app transforms them into project

management tools. Not only does this

significantly reduce hardware costs, but

it also reduces the time users take to

become comfortable with navigating the

technology. Any training that might be

needed can be delivered in-app, allowing

the user to learn while on the job.

The foundation of all of this, though,

is the 30 years of user interface

improvements. Power buttons, volume

sliders, swipe left to advance. The list

is endless. It is the synergy found by

combining of each of these factors,

intuitive, mobile technologies deployed

with SaaS cloud computing, that brings

the real win to organizations—visibly

reducing the time, cost, and resources

required for implementation of a

digital transformation.

NEXT STOP: TRANSFORMATION

With all of this in mind, there

are three “quick wins” that could

kickoff constructions’ path to digital

transformation. First, the way project

drawings are managed has struggled to

evolve over the last 30 years. What was

AUGUST 202042

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

acceptable then is no longer capable of

addressing the large data demands of a

rapidly changing, modern construction

site. While there has no doubt been

some improvement, version control is

still a struggle for most projects.

Second, yet another paper process,

is timecard and progress management.

This goes beyond payroll as it loops in

safety, quality and often more. Without

a level of digitalization, this remains a

labor-intensive, manual process.

Finally, without digital transformation,

the future value of the data being

collected remains hidden. History and

past costs might be stored somewhere,

but without proper access and reference

points, you are unable to take actionable

steps to improve plans for the next time,

or to reduce rework. It is no wonder the

construction industry continues to be

plagued with projects that are behind

schedule and over budget.

WHERE TO BEGIN

Even with everything that has been

discussed, a digital transformation may

still seem daunting. While it is often

difficult to understand where to begin,

here are three questions that can help

set you up on a road toward success:

1. Are we truly prepared for this?

Do we know what is important

to us?

Do we have the right people

in place?

CLOSING THOUGHT

Remember, this is an ever-changing

journey, not just a one-time, finite

project. Now, more than ever, digital

transformation success is waiting for

companies of all shapes and sizes in the

construction industry.

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about the author

AJ Waters is the director industry solutions

with InEight, a leader in construction project

management software. For more, visit

www.ineight.com.

If the idea of a “digital transformation” still

leaves you hesitant, look around for a moment.

The transformation has already happened in the

devices your employees use personally every day,

now is the time to take advantage of that.”

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com44

legal solution

lthough deemed an “essential

business” by many states,

the construction industry is

evolving in conjunction with a pandemic

and increased market volatility leaving

construction companies wondering

what is next or where business will

take them. Now is the time for those in

the construction industry to abandon a

specialization in strictly private projects

or strictly public projects. The shift from

private projects to public works can be

intimidating; nevertheless, most public

works projects considered essential

during the pandemic will continue

whereas private projects are at a greater

risk to shut down.

Damage to the construction industry

during the first half of 2020 was

unmistakable. Overall, the industry

plunged 22 percent below the first half

of 2019, yet public bidding opportunities

remain available in abundance. In early

June, Dodge Data and Analytics found

that there were more than 500 public

bidding opportunities in California, Texas,

Florida, Illinois, Ohio, Pennsylvania, and

New York alone.

Diversifying your ability to bid on

both public and private projects ensures

that your business is open to every

opportunity. This article examines the

differences between public and private

projects to assist those considering

expanding their reach across the public-

private lines. The article will also examine

certain relevant preferences that may

assist in obtaining public projects.

BIDDING PROCESS & PROTESTS

Private bidding is a quality-driven

procurement while public bidding is far

more competitive, often driven by cost

dictated by governments with budget

deficits. In a private project, the owner,

on the advice of its design professionals,

selects who it wants to work with based

on factors that which the owner deems

as a priority. A private project owner

also has the prerogative to bid-shop and

negotiate with its contractor.

Public bidding is regulated to ensure

fair competition. Most states have

enacted statutes on competitive bidding.

Colorado calls on government employees

to adhere to the “highest standards of

ethical behavior” relative to procurement.

Likewise, West Virginia implements

personal liability for those state employees

who violate procurement procedures.

FINANCIAL IMPLICATIONS

Profit margins are generally higher on

private projects. Because public projects

generally award to the lowest bidder,

the private-project bidder can include a

higher profit margin into its bids without

the risk of price disqualification. On the

other hand, there is more confidence

in getting paid when procuring a public

contract. The government pays, just not

always timely.

Bonding requirements add cost to

a project. The Miller Act, applicable to

federal public jobs, requires contractors

to post several different bonds. Before

a contract of $100,000.00 or more

is awarded, a construction company

must furnish a performance bond and a

payment bond. The bonds must provide

coverage for taxes.

CONTRACT NEGOTIATIONS

Under principles of contract law, private

contracts are negotiable. Public contracts

are often non-negotiable. If the terms of

a public contract are unsettling, nothing

typically can be done about it. For example,

in most instances, states have a boilerplate

contract that must be signed when

performing work on highway projects.

Regardless, it is important to have an

attorney review a public contract to make

sure that the terms can be adhered to and

that the contract is as fair as possible.

Public contract term negotiations can be

Business Retooling

diversify to thrive in times of uncertainty

By Danielle Waltz and Alexis Hailpern

PUBLIC VS PRIVATE PROJECTS

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

initiated, but a realistic understanding of

the outcome is important.

PREFERENTIAL DESIGNATIONS

To bring diversity and inclusion to the

construction industry, states and the

federal government offer advantageous

bidding consideration to those

businesses with certain designations and

certifications. Obtaining designations

and certifications avails a construction

company to greater opportunities,

including preference in bid selection.

Some companies, simply because of

ownership and demographic, will not

qualify for certain designations, but

doing business with companies that have

designations will help those unqualified

businesses “score” better when applying

for grants and contracts.

In 1983, Congress enacted the

Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE)

Program. DBE requires the U.S. Department

of Transportation to award at least 10

percent of federal funds designated

for transit projects to DBE qualified

businesses. To be certified as a DBE, a

business must have at least 51 percent

ownership and control by a woman,

minority, disabled person, or veteran who

physically resides in the United States and

can prove economic disadvantages.

The Minority Business Enterprise

(MBE) certification also requires that

a business be owned and controlled

at least 51 percent by a member of

an identified minority group who is a

U.S. citizen. MBE is similar to the DBE,

but a business does not have to be

certified by the government to receive

the designation. The National Minority

Supplier Development Council, for

example, is one of the largest MBE

certifiers in the United States. The

programs differ in that MBE requires

citizenship while DBE requires residency.

The Women-Owned Small Business

(WOSB) program was established by the

Small Business Administration. The program

calls for the federal government and its

agencies to award at least 5 percent of all

industry dollars to businesses designated

as WOSB. To be eligible for the WOSB, a

business must be a small business, but

at least 51 percent must be owned and

controlled by a woman who is U.S. citizen

and manages the day-to-day operations of

the business while possessing long-term

decision making power.

CLOSING THOUGHT

As things change in an unprecedented

world, construction businesses may need to

make changes as well to maintain revenue

stream. Diversifying the abilities of your

team and your projects can open doors in

both the private and public sector. Although

crossing the private-public lines may appear

intimidating, your business will have an

ability to thrive even in difficult times. Now

may be the time to at least transition of

portion of your business to public projects.

about the authors

Danielle Waltz is a commercial and

construction litigator and government relations

specialist in Jackson Kelly PLLC’s Charleston,

West Virginia, office, where she is a member.

She represents a variety of construction

clients. She is a member of the International

Association of Defense Counsel (IADC) and is

active in its Construction Law and Litigation

Group. She can be contacted, via e-mail at

dwaltz@jacksonkelly.com. Alexis Hailpern is a

commercial attorney in Jackson Kelly’s Denver

Office. She represents a variety of construction

professionals. She can be contacted via email

at alexis.hailpern@jacksonkelly.com.

Diversifying your ability to bid on both public and

private projects ensures that your business is open

to every opportunity.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com46

technology solution

here’s a difference between

managing projects and running a

construction company—at least

that’s what most people think. Many

companies will conduct internal capital

projects to create a new product or

improve efficiencies, but it’s not their

main source of income. For construction

companies, delivering projects is how

they directly serve their customers, and

essentially, how they make money. More

specifically, the projects they deliver

directly affect their bottom line.

The fact of the matter is productivity

in the construction industry has

remained stagnant and even declined.

By understanding the seven challenges

of the construction industry, it will be

easier to take the necessary steps to

be more productive, profitable, and

ultimately successful.

ACCEPTANCE OF THE STATUS QUO

Construction companies are often

submitting RFPs and RFIs for ERPs and

business systems with requirements that

are limited around project accounting.

This assumes that any kind of financial

and operational project management

is done in third-party applications or

spreadsheets, but not in the main

business application. It’s time these

companies demand more from the

business solutions they adopt. Sticking

to the status quo due to habit means

technology providers will continue

to sell glorified accounting software,

which means construction companies

will continue to manage their business

processes through spreadsheets and

disparate point solutions.

FAILING TO IDENTIFY AS A

PROJECT BUSINESS

It’s impossible to identify as something

you don’t know exists. The term Project

Business has been around for a while,

but it remains relatively unknown

to project-based companies (e.g.,

construction) that should be recognizing

themselves as such. Failing to identify as

a Project Business causes them to focus

on the wrong aspect of their business.

Oftentimes, project-based companies will

focus on the 5 percent of their business

that makes them unique from other

companies when really their focus should

be on the core part of their business

projects. To see the most productivity

gains, construction companies need to

take care of managing projects. After all,

it’s 80 to 90 percent of what they do.

OPTIMIZATION OF PROJECT

MANAGEMENT SILOS HAS

MAXED OUT

There’s been a lot of effort in trying

to squeeze as much efficiency out of

silos, or the different aspects of project

management that are managed in

spreadsheets and point solutions that

make up the fragmented data landscape.

As a result, productivity in construction

continues to decline. Instead of putting

time and effort optimizing these

individual silos, construction companies

need to focus on optimizing the net total

of all the silos and think of the enterprise

as a whole and implement a single,

integrated solution that manages all their

Project Business processes.

Moving Forward

seven challenges of the construction industry

KNOW TO GROW

By Daniel Bévort

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

INADEQUATE

COMMUNICATION AMONG KEY

STAKEHOLDERS OR LACK OF

STAKEHOLDER COLLABORATION

Oftentimes, key stakeholders

have different versions of project

information and operate within their

own silos, making it difficult for them

to collaborate and have a shared

opinion of where a project is at.

Why? They are operating in different

tools and using different information.

It’s impossible to implement a

communication strategy or Project

Business governance program in

such a disjointed arrangement. To

do a better job of communicating,

everyone needs to be on the same

page. Giving key stakeholders the tools

and having them work from one source

of truth enables better outcomes for

your projects.

LACK OF GOVERNANCE, LACK OF

STANDARDIZED SYSTEM OF

ORGANIZING THE DATA

Construction companies operate in a

very fragmented application landscape,

deploying multiple tools and solutions

to manage their business. This

results in the lack of Project Business

governance—a standardized approach to

the management of processes and data

in project-based companies. Not only is

it difficult to control the process, it’s also

difficult to trust the output. In addition,

instead of having a governed set of

processes, you’re relying on individuals.

In the long run, it makes it difficult for

construction companies to have scalable

business processes.

LACK OF AUTOMATION

Construction workloads or processes

are usually limited within a silo. There

are workloads that happen in the

planning silo, workloads in a specific

spreadsheet, or workloads that happen

on the procurement side. If something

happens in the planning silo, that event

needs to translate into a spreadsheet

or communicated to the procurement

department. Lack of automation means

someone needs to intervene and make

that transition from one silo to the next.

And oftentimes, that doesn’t happen. As

a result, project controls and workloads

are neglected, and it prevents the flow

of information across the enterprise.

Construction companies operate in a

very fluid, high-risk environment that

demands organizational agility.

LACK OF REAL-TIME INSIGHT

The number one complaint from C-level

executives is they don’t actually know

what’s going on with their projects

until they are done. Why? They don’t

have that information available. If

they want that information, they must

dedicate people to finding that specific

information and presenting it in the

right format. This means executives

end up making important business

decisions based on either no data or

unreliable, outdated data. In some

cases, they don’t make any decisions at

all. In addition, lack of real-time insight

means there’s no way to have early

detection of issues. If you’re able to

identify a problem while it’s small and

manageable, then you can mitigate and

prevent it from becoming worse.

CLOSING THOUGHT

If you’ve done the same thing for

decades, making a big change can

be difficult. But when the bread and

butter of your company depends on

completing projects on time and within

budget, ensuring your Project Business

processes are as efficient as they

can be is essential. Recognizing the

seven challenges of the construction

industry not only helps you identify what

solutions are possible but positions the

company for growth and success.

about the author

Daniel Bévort is founder and CEO of ADEACA.

For more, visit www.adeaca.com.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com48

technology solution

he team at Beecher Walker faced

more than its share of challenges

in the design and construction

of The Hale Centre Theatre in Sandy,

Utah. Weather, timing, and establishing a

foundation strong enough to support the

structure in watery soil were among the

most pressing riddles facing the architects

and construction management teams, and

the room for error was as thin as a thimble.

THE CAREER PROJECT

One other concern confronting architects

was solving acoustical issues. The

theater, with a seating capacity for 1,360

patrons spread out over two theaters,

sits below the flight path for planes

heading into and out of a nearby airport.

Cars, trucks, and other vehicles rumble

past the theater on an adjacent highway.

Nothing can destroy the mood of “Mary

Poppins”—one of the Centre’s shows

scheduled for this year—like the sound of

the horn of a 16-wheeler rumbling past,

the wail of sirens from an emergency

vehicle, or thunder from an overhead

airliner arriving for a landing.

With those underlying concerns in

mind, every acoustical decision had

to be on point. “This,” architect Lyle

Beecher says, “is a career project.” His

team selected every detail carefully,

particularly as they related to acoustics.

They constructed 18-inch thick

concrete walls and installed mechanical

equipment outside walls to minimize

noise infiltration. They also selected 20

acoustical smoke vents manufactured

by The BILCO Company. This year,

BILCO introduced its new ACDSV smoke

vent, which provides the highest level

of protection against exterior noise

intrusion. Smoke vents are also life

safety products that also help protect the

building structure.

“Air traffic was a big consideration for

us,” Beecher says. “The smoke vents

are the only thing stopping the noise

coming in from the loading level on the

outside. BILCO has a good reputation

for its products and the sound issue was

pretty intense.”

Acoustical performance is one of the

major concerns for architects in the

construction of theaters, stages, and other

performance centers. The key indicators

in equipment are ratings that fall into two

categories: sound transmission class

and outdoor-indoor transmission class.

Depending upon the structure being built,

the difference in ratings is essential for

architects to understand.

TERMINOLOGY IN ACOUSTICS

While there are a lot of considerations

in determining acoustic quality, building

materials are largely measured by STC

and OITC ratings. Architects and material

specialists must not only select the

materials with the proper rating for each

project, but also must determine which

measurement is more important for that

particular project.

STC measures the extent to which

sound is prevented from being transferred

from one area to another. The higher the

STC value, the less that sound can be

transferred through a building product.

STC is typically used to measure sound

transmission loss over a frequency range

from 125 to 4000 hertz and is most

applicable for interior areas that experience

mid to high-frequency noises, such as

conversation, television, telephones, and

office equipment. A product with a high

STC value, ranging from 50-60, indicates

that loud speech is barely heard (assuming

a typical background sound level for an

office, approximately 45dBA) through the

product. A low STC rating, 20-25, indicates

that loud speech would be audible through

the product.

OITC rates the transmission loss of

sound through a material when outdoor

Sound Decisions

different ratings help architects

weigh acoustical choices

By Thomas Renner

BEST PRACTICES

Acoustical

performance is

a major concern

for architects in

the construction

of theaters,

auditoriums, and

performance

centers. They

are guided in

their selection

of building

materials by STC

and OITC sound

ratings. Photo

by Brooksie

Productions.

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

sources need to be considered. Like the STC rating, OITC

measures sound intensity loss in decibels. The OITC rating

was developed in 1990 and is typically used to measure sound

transmission loss over a frequency range from 80 to 4000 hertz. It

is most applicable for measuring the prevention of low-frequency

exterior sounds such as automotive traffic, construction, and low-

flying airplanes through exterior building surfaces.

“OITC is the preferred rating when addressing sound

insulation from exterior noise—especially when transportation

noise sources are impacting a building facade with significant

low-frequency (bass) sound,” says Harold Merck, principal

and acoustician for Merck & Hill Consultants of Atlanta. “While

STC ratings may be fine for typical interior noise sources

such as voices, STC doesn’t adequately address the extended

low-frequency noise contribution of aircraft, traffic, or even

large roof-top equipment. This also applies to large roof-top

equipment noise sources as well. The OITC better addresses

low-frequency noise impacts and is the more applicable sound

rating for roof mounted automatic smoke vents.”

THE RIGHT CHOICE

According to Albert Maniscalco, a partner with Cerami and

Associates in New York, the STC and OITC requirements vary

according to each project.

In school construction, for instance, the STC ratings are used

for acoustically rated doors and windows within the school

such as for music practice rooms. However, the school may

also require acoustically rated exterior windows or other façade

elements to properly mitigate exterior noise intrusion. In this

instance, the OITC rating would be used.

Maniscalco also explained that noise control works both

ways. He cited the example where elements of a building

exterior can be designed to keep the sound within the building

such as a concert or sports venue that is near residences.

“Noise goes both ways,” Maniscalco says. “Sound can come

in and go out. How that façade performs with noise coming in

or going out is important to know.”

Building materials include STC and OITC ratings, but

architects have to account for various sources of noise and

make the appropriate choices. “Windows might have an

excellent STC rating, but without a high OITC rating, low-

frequency sounds can be intrusive,” Merck says. “Windows

with a high STC rating typically have the same OITC rating

as windows with a lesser STC rating, which can be a bit

misleading. Ratings that include the OITC are more useful to

assess how well a window will isolate environmental noise.”

CONTROLLING NOISE

The new smoke vents from BILCO come with an STC rating of 50

and an OITC rating of 46, providing the highest level of protection

against exterior noise intrusion. In addition, the product has

also received an ISO-140-18 sound rating when tested against

rainfall sound. The rating measures the impact of sound

insulation on building materials—such as roofs, skylights, and

roof/ceiling systems—incur when exposed to artificial rainfall.

Automatic smoke vents are life safety products that are

generally used in large one-story buildings per National Fire

Protection Association (NFPA) standards. In the event of a

fire, the vents exhaust smoke, heat, and burning gases from

the building to improve visibility and to protect the building

structure. This provides safe egress for building occupants and

allows firefighters to enter the building and contain the fire.

The new design of the BILCO acoustical smoke vent features

mineral wool insulation and high-density sound mat material

within the unit’s covers and curb to better inhibit sound

transmission. Structural improvements include the use of

heavier gauge steel for the curb and cover liner, a new cover

gasketing system, gas-spring lift assistance, and a center-

mounted gas traction spring to ensure reliable and controlled

smoke vent operation.

CLOSING THOUGHT

At the Hale Centre Theatre, the smoke vents provided a

critical safety component while also protecting against noise

infiltration. The new theater provides more than twice the

seating capacity of its former facility, and gives patrons a

first-class experience—without having to hear the nuisance of

exterior noise.

“This theater, by all standards, is a world-class venue,”

says Mark Dietlein, the president, CEO and executive director

of the theater.

about the author

Thomas Renner writes on building, construction, manufacturing, and other

topics for U.S.-based trade publications.

20 acoustical smoke vents were used in the construction of the Hale Centre

Theatre in Utah to help limit noise intrusion from the exterior. Photo courtesy of

Hale Centre Theatre.

TECHNOLOGY

•

MANAGEMENT

TECHNOLOGY

•

MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT •

ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT •

ENVIRONMENTAL

EQUIPMENT

• SAFETY

EQUIPMENT

• SAFETY

SAFETY

• TECHNOLOGY

SAFETY

• TECHNOLOGY

ENVIRONMENT • EQUIPMENT

SOLUTIONS

TECHNOLOGY

•

MANAGEMENT

TECHNOLOGY

•

MANAGEMENT

MANAGEMENT •

ENVIRONMENTAL

MANAGEMENT •

ENVIRONMENTAL

EQUIPMENT

• SAFETY

EQUIPMENT

• SAFETY

SAFETY

• TECHNOLOGY

SAFETY

• TECHNOLOGY

ENVIRONMENT • EQUIPMENT

SOLUTIONS

Go to mcsmag.com for

solution-based articles with

insight from industry experts.

LET MCS BE YOUR RESOURCE.

SEEKING A SOLUTION?

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com52

safety solution

onstruction managers, general

contractors, and building owners

are certainly familiar with safety

netting systems and the reasons to

install them, which include protecting

workers and debris from falling from

structures, as well as façade and ceiling

containment. They also believe these

passive systems create and maintain a

safe work environment.

However, when it comes to specifying

the appropriate solution for a construction

project, many see netting systems as,

well, pretty much all the same.

In reality, this could not be

further from the truth, given the

broad variability in the quality

and construction of nets,

suitability for the

stated safety

purpose,

quality

testing, and other factors that impact the

ability to meet a broad range of national

and state fall protection and debris

control standards.

KNOW THE EXPERTS

While this list is extensive, it only serves

to underscore the fact that netting

system selection should squarely rest

in the domain of experts and engineers,

and not viewed as a mere commodity

item. As such, contractors and building

owners often rely on third parties with

a wealth of netting-specific knowledge

and expertise when devising safety plans

or designing and installing rented or

purchased nets and systems.

“You can’t just put a netting system

together that you feel is going to work,

only to realize at the end of the day it

was not sufficient for the purpose,” says

Harry Weidmyer of Construction Safety

Service and Solutions. “You are taking

something that is a vital part of safety on

a project and so you can’t take shortcuts

and put up netting that seems easier, or

maybe requires a little less labor.”

There are other reasons that

well manufactured and designed

netting system also makes

good business sense

beyond the safety aspect.

It can also reduce

insurance costs,

improve safety

ratings, speed

Netting Systems

variability in quality/design illustrates the critical role

of third-party experts

FALL PROTECTION/DEBRIS CONTROL

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

productivity, boost worker morale, and

create a positive public image.

NO SHORTCUTS

As vice president of risk management at

a major construction firm in New York for

20 years and now president of his own

company, Weidmyer has witnessed the

variability in netting system installation

first-hand.

Given his company’s focus on risk

assessment and loss control, Weidmyer

has had the opportunity to work with

contractors in New York, Connecticut,

New Jersey, and Florida to review their

insurances and to monitor their safety

program and protocols.

Outside of New York City, which is

known for the some of the most stringent

netting system codes in the country,

Weidmyer says, “I’ve seen netting system

installed by contractors that I feel slice it

thin in terms of protection. For example,

they install a debris net that serves only

the minor purpose of catching light

debris, but if somebody fell into it, it is

not going to support them.”

Weidmyer says that in New York

City, the nets specified and installed

are often expected to serve double

duty of catching heavy debris as well

as providing personnel fall protection.

The codes even require paperwork that

verifies the integrity of the manufacture

of the net itself.

ACCORDING TO OSHA

OSHA Guidelines Subpart M and Article

19 of the NYC Building Code require

specific safety systems on a construction

site. To meet the guidelines, contractors

must submit a site safety plan to the city.

For high rise buildings 15 stories or

more, netting is typically mandated in

the safety plans from the 6th floor up.

Nets are the primary passive fall arrest

system option on the market and usually

the most cost effective. They provide not

only fall protection and the separation

of trades, but also protection of workers

and the public, in addition to other

property below from falling debris.

In addition, netting can be used for

other purposes including as a scaffold and

barrier netting, for façade containment,

and to protect the public from falling

debris from deteriorating buildings until

permanent repairs can be undertaken.

For the past 35 years, Weidmyer says

he has relied on Pucuda – Leading Edge

for the netting system designs in his

safety proposals. Pucuda – Leading Edge

designs the system and can submits the

relevant paperwork and follows through

until it is authorized by the Department

of Buildings, if needed.

Pucuda – Leading Edge is one of the

few netting system manufacturers that

produces nets in the United States and

that has a history of innovation in product

design. The company was founded 27

years ago by hands-on netting expert

John Rexroad, president, founder, and

CEO of the company.

Weidmyer says the company is

basically a one-stop-shop and he also

turns to them for the nets as well, all of

which conform to all ANSI, OSHA, Army

Corps of Engineers, and ASTM standards.

“John is a phenomenal net system

designer and so is his team,” says

Weidmyer. “I have recommended him to

quite a few contractors in New York City

because I know his systems are designed

properly and there is no second thought

or concern about them working properly.”

NETTING AT CAPE CANAVERAL

Pucuda is also involved in a unique

project at the Kennedy Space Center at

the Air Force station at Cape Canaveral,

supplying netting systems for a structural

steel project to construct a launch tower

and a lightning strike tower.

“On a portion of this particular project,

we are building two towers and the primary

function of the netting is to catch debris,”

explains Alan Bukis of S&R Enterprises, the

on-site project manager for the structural

steel construction company. “So, if

somebody is working up on level 400 and

accidentally drops something, the debris

netting will catch it before it goes to the

ground and potentially hurts somebody.”

In addition, the nets are technically

rated for fall protection even though it is

not the intended use. In addition to the

netting, workers are expected to tie off

using a fully body harness whenever they

are 6 feet above the floor.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com54

safety solution

These towers represent protection

for the first new build of a Launch Pad

in several decades. Therefore, it was

important for S&R to interview several

netting manufactures.

“Overall, [Pucuda – Leading Edge] had

the best presentation as far as we were

concerned,” says Bukis. “John Rexroad

definitely knows the netting industry

inside and out, and it was very evident in

our initial discussions.”

One important aspect of the presentation

was a review of samples of the netting,

brought in by two of the three companies.

“By appearance alone, you could see there

was a higher quality netting with Pucuda

– Leading Edge,” says Bukis. “The other

company brought a sample and it was a

considerable difference.”

QUALITY MATTERS

Quality in the manufacturing and

materials of netting is a major factor

in the selection process. Many nets

supplied by U.S. based companies are

imported from China or India where

the manufacturing process is driven

by supplying an inexpensive product in

mass quantities.

Even nets that appear adequate may

have quality issues lurking under the

surface that are not easily identifiable

by the untrained eye. One example is

a deterioration condition caused when

an overseas supplier manufactures a

net with a linked polymer that begins

to deteriorate almost immediately. The

condition is referred to as “wooly bear”

syndrome, due to its appearance. This

can dramatically affect the longevity and

safety of the products.

Although in the construction industry

nets are often rented for a project, S&R

Enterprises decided to purchase the nets

from Pucuda in anticipation of additional

future projects. For this reason, it was

even more important that the net and

system were manufactured with the

highest quality materials and with

longevity in mind.

NETTING MEETS CHALLENGE

Bukis says there were installation

challenges to overcome as well.,

as one of the towers was a sloping

triangle that progressively narrowed as

it went up.

“When our team was installing the

nets, they had a ton of questions about

installing the netting correctly,” says

Bukis. “So, we asked John to come to

the site.”

“He is not afraid to come out and go

up in a structure and actually look at the

installation,” adds Bukis, noting that this

was also during the COVID-19 pandemic.

“Just him being here and knowing that

he’s the expert and him confirming that

the installation was correct alleviated

all their concerns. So, it was definitely

beneficial that he was willing to come

out and do that.”

With netting systems, the most well-

designed and manufactured systems are

those that go unnoticed and can be taken

for granted. It is only when someone, or

something, falls and causes damage or

injury to people or property, and it makes

the evening news that netting systems

take center stage.

CLOSING THOUGHT

With so much at stake, contractors and

building owners would be well served

to seek out expert advice from netting

system experts to avoid installing

defective products that fall below the

safety standards.

“It all comes down to safety,”

explains Bukis. “If something or

someone happens to fall, you are

going to want the best nets available.

I feel much more comfortable with a

higher quality product, because the

goal is, we don’t ever want any of our

people hurt.”

for more information

For more information about netting and

Pucuda – Leading Edge, visit netting.com.

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

SOLUTIONS FOR 80 YEARS

BUILDING INNOVATIVE TRANSPORT

TALBERTMFG.COM | 800-348-5232

NOTHING BETTER BETWEEN THE LOAD AND THE ROAD!

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com56

maintenance solution

oncrete has been used as a

strong, durable building material

for thousands of years, dating

back to many ancient concrete structures

that are still standing to this day. Yet,

it has one fundamental enemy it can’t

escape—water. As an uptick in humidity

and rainstorms wash across many

regions of the country throughout the

summer months, water infiltration can

lead to issues such as below-grade

reinforcement corrosion, surface scaling,

aggregate expansion, mold growth,

and more.

In order to provide sufficient

workability for proper placement,

compaction, mixing, and transportation

to the jobsite, most plant-batched

concrete will contain excess water

required to hydrate or chemically react

with the cement. As concrete hardens,

this excess water evaporates from the

concrete and creates a network of fine

capillaries and internal pores—essentially

forming a “dense sponge” that allows

water to transport through the surface,

causing damage as a result.

Here are a few of the most innovative

reactive technologies that concrete

contractors can use to combat water-

related damage and ensure optimal

concrete protection:

CRYSTALLINE WATERPROOFING

Crystalline waterproofing materials can be

applied as a slurry coating to the surface

of an existing concrete structure, such

as a foundation wall or floor slab, as

well as broadcast onto fresh horizontal

concrete and troweled into the surface. An

alternative approach involves adding the

admixture directly into the concrete at the

batch plant. In all cases, the waterproofing

function includes both complex chemical

and physical mechanisms that take place

within the concrete surface.

As concrete hardens, the reaction

between water and cement generates

chemical by-products, which reside in

the capillaries and pores of the concrete.

When crystalline waterproofing materials

are applied, the by-products of cement

hydration and the crystalline chemicals

produce a chemical reaction with very

dense, non-soluble crystal formations.

This crystalline formation will only occur

where moisture is present, forming in

the pores, capillary tracts, and shrinkage

cracks of the concrete—the same routes

susceptible to water ingress. Chemical

diffusion can carry these crystalline

materials deep into the concrete,

plugging the voids in concrete and

becoming an integral, permanent part of

the structure.

In lieu of penetrating from the surface

as seen with a coating application,

adding crystalline waterproofing

chemicals to the concrete at the batch

plant ensures that the crystalline

formation occurs uniformly throughout

the slab or structure. In addition, by

adding crystalline chemicals directly

to the concrete mix at the time of

batching, the same crystal growth and

Concrete’s Enemy: Water

ways to ensure optimal concrete protection

BEST PRACTICES

By Jennifer Crisman

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

waterproofing functions take place in

a quicker, more cost-effective manner

because labor associated with a surface

treatment application is eliminated.

Procedural sequence for addition will

vary according to the type of batch, plant

operation, and equipment. For most

mixtures, the dosage rate of integral

crystalline waterproofing admixture is

1-2 percent, based on the amount of

cementitious material in the mix.

SILANE & SILOXANE WATER

REPELLENTS

The use of a waterproofing coating can

be undesirable in some cases due to

aesthetics or the desire for a simpler

application process. Certain concrete

applications do not need to be fully

waterproofed, but instead can function

properly with a water repellent treatment,

such as silane and siloxane.

Derived from the silicone molecule,

silane and siloxane create an envelope

of protection that can extend the life of

substrates even in difficult environments.

Both are UV stable, reduce efflorescence

and freeze-thaw damage, are highly

wear-resistant, and permit the substrate

to breathe—in turn allowing interior

moisture vapor to escape. Water

repellent sealers can be used to impart

water repellency to a variety of porous

substrates, including poured-in-place or

pre-cast concrete.

Silane and siloxane sealers reveal little

to no change in the appearance of the

substrates to which they are applied.

There is no gloss, color change or hiding

of the substrate underneath. This is

important when water protection is

required for architectural finishes where

a waterproofing coating would hide the

decorative feature.

While silanes and siloxanes provide

excellent water repellency to surfaces,

each has its own performance differences.

Silane-Based Water Repellents.

Corrosion and scaling due to exposure

to salt spray and chemical deicing

products is a primary cause of concrete

deterioration. Silane-based sealers

provide an extremely effective solution

to prevent deterioration from water and

salt. Silanes penetrate deep because

of their extremely small molecular size

and ability to chemically bond with silica

to form a permanent attachment to the

water-repellent molecule. This creates

a deep hydrophobic layer that prevents

water and waterborne contaminants

from entering the substrate and

causing premature deterioration, while

simultaneously leaving the surface with a

completely invisible finish and providing

a chemical “screen” that prevents

chloride ions from reaching embedded

steel in concrete.

Once applied, silane water repellents

penetrate into the substrate and react

chemically with calcium hydroxide to

form a hydrophobic, water-repellent resin

within the pores and on the surface. In

order for this chemical reaction to take

place, the substrate must be alkaline

(high pH) and contain calcium hydroxide.

Because silanes do not change the skid

or slip resistance of concrete, they are

ideal for surfaces such as walkways,

bridges, and roadways. Silanes are not

effective in sealing other substrates such

as natural stone, clay, brick, or wood.

Because silanes consist of smaller

molecules than siloxanes, they will

typically penetrate deeper than siloxanes

and thus perform better on dense

surfaces such as poured-in-place and

pre-cast concrete. A consequence of this

molecular size is that silanes are quite

volatile. Therefore, the solids content

of a silane water repellent should be

high enough to compensate for the

evaporation of reactive material during

application and curing.

Siloxane-Based Water Repellents.

Siloxanes have a slightly larger molecular

structure and are somewhat effective

on substrates up to medium porosity,

such as heavyweight, smooth-faced, and

concrete block. Despite being closely

related, the siloxane-based chemical

composition does not encourage rapid

evaporation. The solids content and cost

of a siloxane-based sealer is typically

lower than that of silanes.

Unlike silanes, siloxanes are not

dependent on substrate pH to react. They

can react with atmospheric moisture, as

well as any moisture in the substrate,

to form the hydrophobic resin. For this

reason, siloxanes are ideal for treating

non-cementitious building materials such

as brick, stucco, and stone.

CLOSING THOUGHT

By using the latest technologies,

concrete contractors can combat water-

related damage and ensure optimal

concrete protection.

about the author

Jennifer Crisman is director of marketing

services at The Euclid Chemical Company, a

leading manufacturer of specialty concrete

and masonry construction solutions. A

20-plus-year industry veteran, Crisman

manages the marketing communications

activities for Euclid’s expansive line of

admixtures, fiber reinforcement, concrete

repair products, flooring materials, and

decorative concrete systems. For more, visit

www.euclidchemical.com.

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com58

www.mcsmag.com AUGUST 2020

AUGUST 2020 www.mcsmag.com60