Concrete

March 15, 2010

Chilliwack Cultural Centre project sets tilt-up concrete record

The $22-million Chilliwack Cultural Centre project recently set a Canadian construction record for tilt-up concrete, as massive panels 82 feet (25 metres) in height were erected in January. The panels each weigh an average of 100,000 lbs. (45 tonnes) and represent the tallest ever erected in Canada.

March 12, 2010

New technology allows concrete to come clean

A recently completed major renovation of the Sun Life Financial Centre in Waterloo is one of a small, but growing number of projects where special cement has been incorporated so that buildings can harness the sun to self clean and de-pollute themselves.

March 8, 2010

Large concrete pour creates tunnel roof in Australia

More than 2,800 cubic metres of concrete was laid during a marathon engineering effort recently at the Airport Link site at Kedron, Australia.

February 25, 2010

TransAlta, EPCOR finishing construction on Edmonton-area coal-fired plant

The construction of one of Canada’s most advanced coal-fired power generation facilities is nearly complete, despite serious skilled labour and material shortages, as well as disruptions in the supply of equipment.

February 19, 2010

Concrete-testing company chief convicted of concocting phony results

The president of a concrete testing company that worked on such New York City landmarks as the new Yankee Stadium was convicted Wednesday of concocting phony test results, but a jury acquitted a low-level manager and has yet to reach a verdict on the top racketeering charge against the president and company.

February 18, 2010

Innovative compaction solves instability issue at Calgary pipe plant

The first fully automated concrete pipe plant in Western Canada was built in Calgary using dynamic compaction and includes environmental engineering solutions, such as water- and vapour-management systems.

February 9, 2010

Steel provides structure for historic hotel revival in Port Hope, Ontario

The Hotel Walton is a firmly established feature of downtown Port Hope. Unfortunately the building itself, constructed circa 1870, wasn’t so firmly established. Enter Ron Christopher, the force behind saving the hotel and reviving its structural integrity with a network of steel.

February 8, 2010

Concrete from Giants Stadium demolition to be buried on site

The demolition of Giants Stadium got started Feb. 4 when a giant metal claw attached to a crane started taking bites out of the cement helix at one of the four gates around the 34-year-old facility.

February 8, 2010

Prime site moves from contamination to condo in Cambridge, Ontario

It’s one of the prettiest sites in Cambridge. The large, empty lot sits beside the Grand River where it tumbles over a waterfall just before flowing into downtown Galt.

December 24, 2009

Concrete poured at Centro condos in Scarborough, Ontario

Steam rises off freshly poured concrete at the Centro Residential Condominium project in Scarborough, Ont. Construction manager Dominus Construction Group began the 31-storey, 578-unit project in April 2008 and the work also includes 16 townhouses and four levels of parking.

March 13, 2009

Concrete garage shaken to bits in quake test

What’s the best way to test the effects of a major earthquake on a concrete parking garage? Build one and shake it for all it’s worth.

March 13, 2009

Lafarge plans major expansion of Alberta plant

Lafarge is planning a substantial increase in capacity for its Exshaw Cement Plant located in Exshaw, Alta., about 80 kilometres west of Calgary.

March 13, 2009

Kortright job will put pervious concrete to the test

The Kortright Centre for Conservation in Kleinburg is testing the waters, so to speak, with the installation of 12,000 square feet of pervious concrete for its parking lot this spring.

March 13, 2009

CANpav software makes case for concrete roads

New software developed by a major Ontario road builder in conjunction with the Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario shows concrete is cheaper than asphalt for roadbuilding.

March 13, 2009

Colonial Building Restoration restores the lady by the lake

The big Toronto restoration/preservation contractor has started work on the second phase and half of the third phase of an ambitious restoration project that involves extensive masonry repairs and restorative work to the limestone façade of Toronto’s Fairmont Royal York.

March 13, 2009

Self-consolidating concrete gaining acceptance

Self-consolidating concrete has been on the construction scene for about 30 years, but is just now making a mark in North America.

March 13, 2009

More than a job, World Trade Center is a point of pride

Windsor, Ontario's Collavino Construction Group is the main sub-contractor on the US$300 million concrete job in New York City.