Lafarge, Treviicos bringing Kansas dam up to minimum earthquake strength
Lafarge is working with Treviicos Corp., an internationally known geotechnical and foundation contractor, to help improve the Tuttle Creek Dam on the Big Blue River near Manhattan, Kan., so it can withstand a magnitude 6.6 earthquake. U.S. Army Corps of Engineers regulations state that all dams "are required to survive and remain safe during and following the maximum credible earthquake event," which is defined as a 6.6-magnitude quake in Kansas.

As the world's largest foundation stabilization project on an operational dam, the multi-year structural modification work involves jet grouting, deep soil mixing and introducing cement into foundation sands.

Lafarge worked closely with Treviicos to test various combinations of portland and slag cements to meet specifications requiring a minimum strength of 170 psi over an area 6,000 feet long to a depth of more than 200 feet.

Based on test results and an inspection of Lafarge's local state-of-the-art manufacturing and distribution capabilities, it was determined that Lafarge MaxCem brand blended cement would be the most reliable solution for this dam safety-assurance project, the largest ever undertaken by the Army Corps of Engineers. Suitable for use in virtually all concrete applications, Lafarge MaxCem is an engineered blend of slag and portland cements that provides enhanced strength, durability, workability, and placeability characteristics. Its use also provides a significant contribution to sustainable construction.

Built in 1963, Tuttle Creek Dam is a 1.5-mile-long rolled-earth and rockfill structure nine miles upstream from the confluence of the Blue and Kansas Rivers and 125 miles west of Kansas City, MO. The seismic stabilization project, scheduled for completion in September 2010, will require 75,000 tons of the 50/50 MaxCem blended cement.

Dufferin Concrete plant can save up to $30,000 a year on energy audit response
Canadian ready mixed producer Dufferin Concrete has signed a multi-plant contract with Inventure Systems to track power surges and peak consumption, and determine if existing equipment requires modification or replacement. Dufferin is a subsidiary of St. Lawrence Cement, whose Swiss parent company, Holcim Group. The first audit response, which cost $20,000, is expected to save the company up to $30,000 a year in energy savings.

By monitoring all plant motors, Inventure can isolate which are causing surges and suggest a remedy. The majority of the payback is derived from energy savings. The company reports that during the first audit at Dufferin's Markham, Ontario facility 60 percent of the utility bill was found to accrue during maximum peak demand created by the main conveyor. Inventure's proposal called for a $20,000 investment, with two-year pay back, and identified further opportunities for reduced power consumption.

Ecolite, Poraver enter into supply and distribution agreement
Ecolite Concrete USA Inc. and Poraver North America have signed a multi-year supply and distribution agreement that includes an exclusive right to integrate Poraver's recycled glass additive into Ecolite's proprietary lightweight wall system. By adding this additive made from 100 percent post consumer recycled glass, Ecolite enables its licensees to fabricate a new breed of high performnance lightweight concrete wall panels.

According to Ecolite's CEO James Lawrence, Poraver's infrastructure technology has enhanced Ecolite's ability to produce high strength, lightweight concrete for wall panels. "Having an exclusivity to use their technology in our hybrid wall systems gives Ecolite an additional competitive advantage in North America."

The Poraver product is leading edge glass sphere technology that provides innovative solutions to a diverse range of industries. Through their use of recycled glass that is diverted from landfill sites Poraver has become a leader in green technologies and environmental stewardship.

Structural Group forms SPS Infrastructure Inc.
Structural Group - a Baltimore-based specialty-contracting firm that delivers services, systems and technologies that build, repair, protect, strengthen and reinforce concrete, steel, masonry, timber and soils - has announced the formation of SPS Infrastructure Inc. (www.spsinfrastructure.net).

As part of the Structural Group family of companies, SPS Infrastructure.'s office will be in St. Paul, Minn. and be comprised of three divisions: waterproofing, concrete restoration and roofing. 

Hanson provides precast products for Virginia light rail system
Hanson Pipe & Precast is providing more than three miles of reinforced concrete pipe, almost 2,000 feet of railroad crossings, more than 40 feet of pedestrian crossings and a large quantity of other precast concrete products for a new light rail transit project initiated by the Hampton Roads Transit (HRT) in partnership with the city of Norfolk, Va. The Norfolk light rail transit, The Tide, will service downtown Norfolk and Norfolk State University.

The city of Norfolk, federal and state government are partnering to fund the more than $230 million light rail system, which will extend 7.4 miles from Eastern Virginia Medical Center to the Virginia Beach Border. The Tide will have 11 stations, including four park and ride locations, and will carry an estimated 6,000 to 12,000 people per day.

Hanson Pipe & Precast provides concrete crossings for 7 miles of track
Hanson Pipe & Precast is providing more than 2,025 track feet of its Premier Modular Rail Crossings for an estimated $500 million project to build a rail car manufacturing facility located in the Muscle Shoals region of northwest Alabama. National Alabama Corp., a subsidiary of National Industries Inc, is building the facility. National Industries is the parent company of National Steel Car Ltd (NSC), a North American rail car manufacturer.

The building and site total more than 640 acres with seven miles of track laid around the premises. Hanson's Premier crossings, made of 7000 psi corrosion resistant concrete, are produced in an efficient and controlled facility offering a higher quality product and safer and faster installation.

Hanson Pipe & Precast is manufacturing its Premier Modular railroad Crossings in four facilities - Pottstown, Penn.; Chesapeake, Va.; Dunn, N.C.; and Pelham, Ala. - in order to meet stringent schedule requirements for construction.

Tilt-Con begins work on new home of celebrated TV medical examiner
Tilt-Con Corp. of Orlando, Fla., under a contract to Wharton-Smith Inc. of Sanford, Fla., has begun concrete work on the $11.5 million LEED-certified Florida District 9 Medical Examiners Office in Orlando.

The tilt-up project, designed by MRI Architectural Group of Orlando, will serve both Orange and Osceola counties, and is the home of Chief Medical Examiner Dr. Jan Garavaglia, star of Discovery Health Channel's "Dr. G: Medical Examiner."

Tilt-Con will pour foundations, slab-on-grade and tilt-up concrete wall panels. Completion is slated for September.

Work has also begun on the new 65,232-square-foot Chauvet Lighting warehouse in Sunrise, Fla., under a contract with Butters Construction & Development of Coconut Creek, Fla. Slated for completion in July, Tilt-Con's scope of work includes foundations, slab-on-grade and tilt-up concrete wall panels. The project was designed by Greco Design & Construction of Fort Lauderdale, Fla.

Tilt-Con has begun work on the new two-story, 105,750-square-foot LEED-certified Kohl's Department Store in Plantation, Fla., under its contract with J. Raymond Construction of Longwood, Fla.. The work, which is to be completed in May, includes foundations, slab-on-grade and tilt-up concrete wall panels. The project was designed by Richard L. Bowen + Associates Inc. in Cleveland, Ohio.

Tilt-Con's work is virtually complete on the Health Care District of Palm Beach County's new Lakeside Medical Center, a 70-bed, 168,646-square-foot hospital on a 50-acre site in Belle Glade, Fla., under its contract with Skanska USA Building Inc. of Tampa, Fla. Designed by Gresham, Smith and Partners of Hollywood, Fla., the hospital will replace Glades General Hospital, Palm Beach County's only public hospital, when opened later this year. Tilt-Con's work includes foundations, slab-on-grade, tilt-up concrete wall panels, mezzanines and masonry work is complete. A helicopter pad is in progress.

BASF offers free online courses
BASF, the chemical company, has launched a virtual classroom for construction professionals called the BASF Online Campus for High-Performance Construction.

Using interactive courses with active video content and flash video, this tool is designed to be interesting, informative and fun. In addition, the online courses available meet state licensing board requirements for AIA continuing education requirements and are free of charge when accessed through basf.com/construction.

Propex, supplier of fibers for concrete use, emerges from Chapter 11 protection
Propex Inc. (www.propex.com), a Chattanooga, Tenn. supplier of polypropylene fabrics and fibers for the concrete and markets, has emerged after 14 months under Chapter 11 protection.

Propex's assets were purchased by a fund managed by Wayzata Investment Partners, a Minneapolis based private equity firm. Under the new ownership, Propex emerges from bankruptcy with sufficient liquidity to aggressively expand its market leadership.