Issue link: http://digital.canadawide.com/i/177297
" SRA works on pore structure and reduces surface tension within the pores of concrete when wet or fresh. But Conex is more of an expansion-inducing product that allows the concrete to expand a little bit before it sets. Conex was originally designed for repair applications that use powder repair materials." Brian Salazar, national business development manager, Euclid Admixture This kind of economic climate where bidding competition can be intense and margins tight is not always a spur to buying and using shiny new equipment. Many systems that are currently in use are between 20 and 30 years old, however, "Hydraulic climbing systems for constructing elevator, which work without a crane, are being used sometimes. But they cost more than a conventional crane-based system," says Piero Corazza, a senior manager at Structform. An innovation currently making headway is the admixtures for reducing shrinkage. One example is Conex, from Euclid Chemical, which is a powdered admixture used for the compensation and reduction Concrete p24-33Concrete.indd 31 Eucon SRA and Conex admixtures were used for the rink slabs for the Toronto Rock Lacrosse Club in Oakville, ON. The owners wanted a crack-free floor for the new facility's two lacrosse rinks. Photo courtesy Euclid Admixtures. of shrinkage for concrete. Its use doesn't cause slump loss and it can be used with other Euclid admixtures. Another is Eucon SRA, used to reduce drying shrinkage and prevent cracking. It can be used for almost any concrete application that is not subjected to de-icing salts or salt water. "SRA works on pore structure and reduces surface tension within the pores of concrete when wet or fresh. But Conex is more of an expansioninducing product that allows the concrete to expand a little bit before it sets. Conex was originally designed for repair applications that use powder repair materials," says Brian Salazar, national business development manager at Euclid Admixture Canada. The two products have been used in conjunction with good results, and research is being done into further applications. A valuable innovation that boost the durability of large concrete floors, and the forklifts and other equipment that travel over them has been the development of the joint-free floor that does not buckle or crack, and yet eliminates saw-cut control. Tri-Con Concrete Finishing Co. Ltd., which developed and perfected the system over the last 20 years, also offers semi-joint free slabs, says Frank Guida, the president of Tri-Con. "A semi-joint-free system is less expensive, but it still eliminates 80 per cent of the saw cuts. The december 2012 /31 11/16/12 3:22 PM