What is Roller Compacted Concrete?

You may have heard of the term Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC). But what is RCC and when is it used? RCC blends the economy of the asphalt paving process with the durability and performance of concrete. It is typically used for heavy duty applications (civil, manufacturing, etc) or areas that require low maintenance roads (rural roads).

RCC mix is loaded into an asphalt paver and placed prior to compaction with a vibratory roller.

RCC mix is loaded into an asphalt paver and placed prior to compaction with a vibratory roller.

The concrete mix itself is very dry and is designated as “zero slump". The lack of excess moisture in the concrete allows for contractors to place the material without using forms. RCC is typically mixed at a batch plant, loaded into a dump truck and transported to the job site. It is then loaded into an asphalt paver where it is placed in long stretches.

Compaction is key when using RCC. First, the subgrade upon which you are placing your RCC needs to be fully compacted. A rigid material like concrete is only as strong as the soil it sits upon, therefore proper compaction methods must be used prior to placement. Second, the RCC needs to be fully compacted once placed. Proper compaction of the RCC itself is crucial to the long term strength and durability of the concrete.


The RCC process does usually result in a rough finish.  To improve surface smoothness and texture, RCC can be diamond ground or a thin asphalt or concrete overlay can be applied.

The RCC process does usually result in a rough finish. To improve surface smoothness and texture, RCC can be diamond ground or a thin asphalt or concrete overlay can be applied.

Because there is a lack of excess moisture in these mixes, the concrete needs to be cured thoroughly in order to keep the mix water in the concrete matrix. Lack of curing can result in lower strength, plastic shrinkage cracking and other problems.

If you want to learn a little more about the subject, you can check out this video from the American Concrete Institute.

Prosoco's FastFlash has ESR report from the ICC

Screen Shot 2019-07-12 at 2.43.17 PM.png

Our FastFlash Evaluation Report has just been published!  FastFlash is the ONLY fluid applied flashing to have its own ESR (evaluation report).  An evaluation report from ICC-ES means that FastFlash has been independently tested against rigorous test standards and confirmed to meet building code requirements.  Architects, specifiers, etc. can TRUST FastFlash because of this ESR.  

 You can find the FastFlash ESR here.

PROSOCO acquires Construction Tie Products (CTP)

CTP-Stitch-Tie-Brochure-1.gif

PROSOCO Inc., a Lawrence, Kan.-based manufacturer of construction chemicals, has acquired Construction Tie Products to expand its product offerings in the new construction and restoration masonry markets.

Since 2005, Construction Tie Products, commonly known as CTP, has manufactured high quality masonry restoration anchors and wall ties. With staff members possessing more than 30 years of masonry construction and restoration experience, CTP has successfully marketed its system of products to architects, engineers, contractors and owners.

CTP’s operations, products, staff and branding will continue with no interruptions in service to customers.

This acquisition gives PROSOCO a more complete system to offer to masonry and restoration contractors who already use PROSOCO’s cleaners and protective treatments for restoration and new construction.

Additionally, it further rounds out PROSOCO’s suite of products required to complete energy retrofits of existing buildings: PROSOCO’s R-Guard air- and water-resistive barriers for the building envelope; PROSOCO’s Sure Klean cleaners and protective treatments for masonry veneers; and anchors and ties from CTP.

The compatibility of both companies’ market strategies and core values was clear from the very first discussions, according to David Boyer, president and CEO of PROSOCO.

“Both companies promote construction of new and preservation of existing masonry buildings,” Boyer said. “This acquisition expands PROSOCO’s technical expertise and product offering in both market segments.”

“This industry is about people. Since its inception in 2005, CTP has established a reputation by providing customized solutions for difficult challenges on a project-by-project basis. That parallels much of PROSOCO’s reputation in the building restoration, conservation and retrofit industry. Sharing a similar level of dedication to quality masonry construction is very important to us. We strive to do business with like-minded companies.”

For Steve Getz, owner of CTP, the similarities between the two companies mattered.

“In addition to both being family-owned, PROSOCO and CTP have very similar core values,” Getz said. “We share the same interests in building and restoring masonry structures with high-quality products. We are proud of the business that we have grown, and excited to watch it continue to thrive as it moves forward under PROSOCO’s leadership.”  

MAK-CPG Proud to Welcome York Manufacturing to Our Product Line!

MAK-CPG is thrilled to announce that we are now the independent sales representatives for York Manufacturing in Western PA and West Virginia. York Manufacturing produces a full line of moisture control products and systems for both residential and commercial applications. Based in Sanford, ME York is a respected leader with a long tradition of integrity that continues to set industry standards for performance and quality.

YorkFlash.jpeg

From the original copper fabric flashing to strong, advanced composites and new asphalt-free copper flashing that’s revolutionizing the industry, York remains far ahead and moving solidly into the future. We’re especially excited about their Flash Vent product. It’s a copper fabric flashing drainage system eliminates the need for mortar deflection netting and drip edges. The environmentally-friendly and compatible, non-asphaltic copper fabric flashing has a proprietary wicking fabric that draws moisture out of the wall through the mortar joint. It is easy to install and does not clog when covered with mortar.

We’re happy to move further into the future with York!

Using Knight Wall with Rockwool's Comfortboard 110

10-4-18-ROCKWOOLKnight.jpg

Knight Wall Systems today announced a collaboration with ROCKWOOL™ wherein both companies will market the industry’s first true continuous insulation (CI) rainscreen attachment system utilizing stone wool insulation rather than rigid foam, according to company president Doug Knight.
 
In this arrangement, COMFORTBOARD™ 110 will now be marketed as a complete rainscreen solution alongside Knight’s CI® System and HCI™ System. “There are many advantages to using stone wool insulation,” Knight said. “Fire resistance and sustainability are the first two that come to mind. But with COMFORTBOARD 110’s rigidity, we can also offer true continuous insulation, which the market prefers.”
 
Developed for use as an exterior continuous insulation in commercial applications,  COMFORTBOARD 110 is thermally efficient, moisture-resistant, vapor permeable and supplants other external sheathing insulations to create high-performance wall assemblies. These assemblies are effective against fire, moisture and thermal bridging, and allow for superior drying potential.
 
Both the Knight CI System and HCI System provide outstanding thermal performance by way of true CI (no penetrations through the insulation except fasteners), while accommodating nearly any façade or cladding system up to 20 lbs. per square foot, providing maximum versatility and durability with ease of design and installation. The CI System uses unique ¾” deep vertical box girts, called CI-Girts™; and the HCI System uses unique ¾” deep horizontal girts, called HCI Girts. Both are designed to properly disburse the façade loads over exterior stone wool board insulation, with only unique thermally isolated fasteners penetrating the thermal barrier, thus minimizing thermal bridging. Both systems’ components are produced in standard and custom lengths, in either 16- or 18-gauge Zn-Al-Mg -coated steel (standard mill silver or black PVDF coated) or stainless steel.
 
“We believe this new product pairing will be highly attractive to modern architects and building envelope specialists,” Knight said. “Especially LEED® projects and construction where a bulletproof sustainable design is the goal.”

Floors Without Joints

The Concrete Contractor just featured an article that reviewed 5 different techniques to reduce the amount of joints in a floor. One technique discussed by a contractor is the addition of synthetic MacroFibers, like Euclid’s TufStrand product line, to the concrete mix.

Added any time prior to placement, Tuf-Strand macro fibers can potentially replace wire-welded mesh and smaller number re-bar in certain applications.  Usage increases overall durability, fatigue resistance and flexural toughness of concrete.

Added any time prior to placement, Tuf-Strand macro fibers can potentially replace wire-welded mesh and smaller number re-bar in certain applications. Usage increases overall durability, fatigue resistance and flexural toughness of concrete.

“I recommend using a reputable company like Euclid… because their engineering departments will assist with floor design. But because working with high-fiber content has a learning curve, the most important thing you can do to ensure success is to work with a good slab engineer and begin with a mock-up slab.” - Greg Fricks; The Fricks Company.

Synthetic fibers can be confusing but with Euclid Chemical’s Tuf-Strand Fiber Dosage Calculator, with just a few inputs, you can start designing your floor to have less joints. Less joints mean a cheaper and safer installation along with reduced maintenance costs over time.