Florida International University Bridge Collapse
Why Ensuring Proper Quality Control is ImportantOn March 15th, 2018 a 950-ton, partially assembled pedestrian bridge at Florida International University (FIU) collapsed onto the busy highway below after only five days of its placement, killing six people and leaving nine seriously injured. The 14.2-million-dollar bridge encompassed an open…
Is Your Home Smarter Than Its Building Materials?
From controlling everything including your lights and laundry via your smartphone, to your Amazon Alexa randomly laughing in what some call a very creepy manner, IoT is everywhere. Not only is it surrounding us in our modern homes, it’s also present in the production, delivery, placement, and use…
Evaluating Current Methods Predicting Service-Life of Reinforced Concrete
Service-Life Prediction for Reinforced Concrete Exposed to Chloride-Induced Corrosion Risk: Are We Just Rolling the Dice?Corrosion of reinforcing steel is the most prominent cause of deterioration in reinforced concrete in North America and many parts of the world. The safety concerns associated with corrosion, along with the billions…
Using Beet Juice to Keep Streets Healthy and Clear of Ice
A Viable Alternative to Corrosion Causing Road SaltIn Canada and other parts of the world with colder climates, road salt has been used for decades to ease the effects of ice on roads and prevent slipping and traffic collisions. Although salt is effective for melting ice and absorbing…
Top 20 Construction Influencers to follow on LinkedIn in 2018
The Who’s Who of Construction on LinkedInThere are many companies, people, and groups that share valuable information, knowledge-based content and updates about the construction industry, and promote innovations and advancements in science and technology on LinkedIn. Obviously, we are biased and encourage you to follow Giatec. But, here…
2017’s Top Technology Innovations in the Construction Industry
Reviewing Top New Technology from 2017We all know how much technology plays a roll in our every day lives. Not only is it changing the way we do things at home and in the office, but it’s making its way onto the job site. As we wrap up…
How IoT Can Optimize the Construction Industry
Construction is still regarded as a traditional industry with heavy focus on physical tools, pen and paper. Nevertheless, digitization is around the corner and new technologies have already started to become an active part of the building process. Explore 12 Futuristic Technology Trends Solving Concrete’s Biggest Challenges. Download…
150 Years of Construction in Canada
Celebrating Innovations in Concrete and ConstructionGone are the days of horse-drawn carts and unpaved roads. Before ready-mix trucks were invented, concrete construction was driven by horse power. In those times, horses would trek rugged terrain with carts straddled behind them, transporting concrete. These carts were equipped with a…
Use Maturity to Determine the Allowable Variation in Temperature
Determining the Allowable Variation in Concrete Temperature with the Maturity Method Measuring the temperature differential in mass concrete elements is essential. Because of the mass effect, the concrete core can have a really high temperature while the surface, which is greatly affected by environmental conditions, tends to be…
Giving Decision Makers More Control Over the Cold
SmartRock® Plus: A Value-Added Solution for Cold-Weather Concrete ConstructionBefore the coming Christmas holidays, residents of Canada and the United-States may be getting their first taste of winter. While snow storms are unpleasant for most, harsh weather can be even worse for construction. Stormy weather makes for unworkable conditions,…
Re-using Plastic for Corrosion Prevention
Could a Life-Saving Plastic be a Long-Lasting Solution for Concrete Corrosion?Each year, hospitals around the world throw away tonnes of plastic waste as a result of performing life-saving dialysis treatments. A shared interest in sustainability is what brought Dr Riyadh Al-Ameri, a structural engineering lecturer from the Deakin…
Giatec Welcomes Geiger Ready-Mix as a SmartRock® Plus Partner
A Leading Family-Owned Ready-Mix Concrete Producer Partners with GiatecGeiger Ready-Mix is a Kansas City based concrete ready mix producer, dedicated to providing the absolute best products and customer experience to every client. They have five strategic facilities within Kansas City and its surrounding areas. By implementing SmartRock® Plus,…
Eliminating the Need for Portland Cement in ConcreteAlthough polymer concrete only became well known in the 1970s, it was first introduced in the late 50s. Thanks to its development through the years, the polymerized monomer is now able to replace Portland cement as a binder in concrete. Polymer…
Reducing The Concrete Industry’s Carbon Footprint
The Advancement of Direct Air Capture TechnologyIf drastic changes regarding CO2 emissions aren’t made soon, the world will be in dire need of large-scale projects to suck carbon dioxide out of the atmosphere by 2030. Direct-air capture technology has the ability to suck carbon dioxide from the air—think:…
Giatec Welcomes Staker Parson Companies as a SmartRock® Plus Producer
Staker Parson Continues to Improve Quality and Services by Offering SmartRock® PlusStaker Parson Companies is the Intermountain Region’s leading construction materials and services provider, focusing on its commitment to quality, service, and innovation. They currently employ over 2,000 people at more than fifty locations in Utah, Idaho, Oregon,…
Connected Infrastructure: The Development of Smart Cities
Why Smart Cities Should Use Smart Sensors A new project is underway along part of Toronto’s waterfront that aims to build a smart city. Assisted by Sidewalk Labs, the project’s focus is to incorporate smart technologies into the infrastructure. Although details about which smart technologies will be used…
Improving Quality and Safety in Infrastructure Developments
Why Project Managers Should be Concerned with Concrete Quality and Safety When it comes to defects and failures in constructed facilities, project managers and construction companies can be facing a big increase in costs. Projects can face long delays due to the development of cracks in concrete or…
Is this the new Golden Age of Infrastructure?
Pre-emptive Testing to Increase Productivity in Construction In construction, many things can go wrong, from calculation errors to a minor miscommunication; but however small the error is, the mitigation process can significantly affect profit margins. In many cases, project planners underestimate the value of information. The McKinsey Global…
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