Buildipedia Staff

Buildipedia Staff

The Buildipedia research and writing staff consists of dozens of experienced professionals from many sectors of the industry, including architects, designers, contractors, and engineers.

Concrete Boring

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

This topic includes information related to concrete boring performed during construction. Concrete boring is the action of boring or drilling a cured concrete form with a powered concrete auger or drill. Holes in concrete slabs, walls or floors are often required for the passage of electrical, plumbing and HVAC equipment.

 

Concrete Cutting

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

This topic includes information related to concrete cutting performed during construction. Concrete cutting is the action of cutting or sawing a cured concrete form with a powered concrete saw. Powered concrete saws use gasoline, hydraulic, pneumatic or electrical motors. Powered concrete saw types include: flat, track mounted, wire, hand or chain.

Non-Shrink Grouting

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

This topic includes information related to non-shrink grout used during construction. A hydraulic cement, non-shrink grout, is commonly used as a setting bed between structural members. The components of a non-shrink grout prevent loss of material volume or shrinkage, making it suitable for structural grouting.

Grouting

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

Grout is a strong cementitious mix or chemically-setting mix used for filling voids, joints, or cracks in concrete or masonry. There are two main categories of grout: cementitious grout and chemical grout. Cementitious grout has been used in the U.S. since the mid-1800's to create grouted reinforced masonry. This construction is normally used on buildings limited to a few stories. Cementitious grout is also used for embedding reinforcing bars, which increases the amount of load-bearing material in a masonry wall; for filling hollow metal door frames; for repairing cracks; and for connecting pre-cast concrete panels. Chemical grouts are fluid and are used for filling under the bearing plates of columns and machine bases or for injection to fill cracks. Grouts used for tiling, flooring, resin grout, flowable fill, stone restoration, and foundation and slab jacking are examples of more specialized grouts.

Cast Underlayment

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

Cast Underlayment, often referred to generically as “gypcrete,” Maxxon Corp’s registered trademark name, has been used for the leveling of rough and uneven floors, for wood floor systems requiring fire ratings and acoustic control, and as the encapsulation material for in-floor radiant heating. The increased material strengths available today, along with ever-increasing competition, have led to the manufacture of more durable products and an increased use of cast underlayments since the 1990s. The application of cement underlayment is similar to traditional techniques for casting concrete. Cement underlayment (non-structural) can be added over existing concrete or timber floors, both interior and exterior, provided that the substrate is structurally sound.

Cast Roof Decks

Fri, Jul 17, 2009

This topic includes information related to cast roof decks installed during construction. Cast roof decks are roof deck substrate systems that provide structural support to roofing materials and anticipated loads. Common types of cast roof decks include gypsum concrete and cementitious wood fiber roof decking. Gypsum concrete roof deck systems are assemblies of form boards, purlins, wire mesh and gypsum concrete. Cementitious wood fiber decking systems are tongue and groove panels.

Tilt-Up Concrete

Sat, Jul 18, 2009

This topic includes information related to tilt-up concrete placed during construction. Tilt-up concrete or tilt-up construction wall panels are concrete walls that are cast in forms on a cured slab next to their intended location, allowed to cure and then tilted up, into place. Tilt-up concrete wall panels have embedded connectors and attachments, are reinforced with steel, and formed to include openings and reveals within a panel. A crane is used to hoist or tilt the wall panel from it's horizontal position into the intended vertical position.