Concrete & Asphalt Trends - Paving the way to progress

by Intermountain Contractor

Change is a constant, especially in the construction industry.

In the concrete and asphalt sectors of the construction industry, change has meant colored or stamped concrete and the durable asphalt on which so many children play hopscotch.

Concrete Changes
Colored concrete is just one result of the many add-in products that have changed the world of concrete. Dave Cook, vice president with Orem, Utah-based Clyde Cos., said liquid color added to concrete has expanded the number of colors available and has improved the consistency of the colors.

"In the past, powdered color was added to the mix and only a few colors were available," he added. "The color would vary from load to load, causing a lot of frustration to customers and suppliers. Now there are over 100 colors available with our new liquid ColorStone process. We can also custom color to meet the savvy customers' needs."

Time-delayed concrete curing is the second result of add-in products. With the additive used in this process, concrete can be poured one day and still worked on the next. The user can determine the amount of time it will take from the pour to the finish work and then use enough additive to extend the time as necessary.

Another additive, fibermesh, "eliminates wire mesh reinforcement, reduces shrinkage and cracking, doubles impact resistance and triples fatigue resistance," Cook said.

He said the fourth additive that's changing the concrete industry is G-Floor, which allows pouring a large area without seams. "This product is particularly good for commercial jobs where seams are a problem," Cook added.

Scott Parson, Staker & Parson Cos. vice president, said: "Improvements in production methods, admixtures, fiber reinforcement, finishing aids and pigments have resulted in technically superior and diverse products that are easier to finish and are much more durable. Concrete continues to improve as the most universal construction building material available."

As far as new products, Cook said concrete companies are now providing a product called Flo-Fill. This flowable fill or control-density fill is a blend of cement, fly ash, sand,water and special admixtures. "Typically it is designed as a low-strength, flowable material requiring no subsequent vibrating or tamping to achieve 100 percent compaction," Cook added.He said these new products and additives have allowed companies like Clyde to provide greater and more creative customer service.

Asphalt Changes
Unfortunately, the changes in the world of asphalt are not as clear-cut. One noticeable difference over the past two to three years has been the decrease in highway work being bid.

And departments of transportation in Utah and across the country are making the specifications tougher and harder to obtain, Cook said.

Mike Forrest, vice president of Staker & Parson Cos., agreed, pointing out that more cities and municipalities are moving to the new specs.

Also, the equipment to produce the required highway specifications is expensive.

Despite the problems, Cook said there's a higher standard in the market and it has resulted in better and longer-lasting roads.

Trends
In the concrete industry, one notable trend is the increased use of concrete for road paving because it results in longer-lasting roads and intersections.

The use of recycled products is also becoming more popular. One such product, fly ash pozzolan, is a by-product that was just another waste product for landfill and polluted air. "Now it is becoming popular as a partial Portland cement substitute," Cook said.

Another trend is front-end loading concrete trucks replacing the old rear-end loading vehicles.

This and other trends have helped to improve quality and customer satisfaction and to create a better environment, Cook said. "The concrete industry is moving positively into the future," he added.

As far as asphalt trends, "new spec mixes require greater educated workforce and greater attention to detail," Cook said. He added that environmental issues and the cost of equipment - new plants can cost up to $5 million - were some of the asphalt industry's biggest trends.

As a result, workers have had to improve their skills and attention to detail. And Clyde Cos., like other companies across the country, is staying on top of technology. It opened a new asphalt plant this year that has "made it easy to meet the State of Utah's tough new asphalt specifications," Cook said.

A more obvious trend affecting the entire industry is the continued consolidation in the market, which has resulted in development of larger contractors and niche players, according to John Parson, president and CEO of Staker & Parson Cos.

Parson added that the workforce, which is maturing and changing. "This requires increased flexibility and skills to work in diverse workplaces," he said.

Yet "quality, service and timely delivery backed up by trust and integrity" are constants at Staker & Parson Cos., Parson added.
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