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Getting To Know the ETC Team #6
Chris Carlson | Chief Structural Engineer
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me….
1. I have never drunk a cup of coffee
2. I have swum with sharks, both protected within a cage and while free diving
3. I remember when blueprints were really blue and have seen an actual slide rule
4. I love anything chocolate
5. I enjoy shooting sporting clays, but have never been hunting
6. I have attended University of Maryland basketball games for 40 years
7. I have never been ice skating and do not plan to learn
8. I built and paddled a concrete canoe
9. I enjoy MonsterEnergy Drinks, even the diet versions
10.I’ll watch almost anything on Food Network and HGTV
3D GPR
Three-dimensional Ground Penetrating Radar (3D GPR) allows us to peer inside visually impenetrable building elements. We most often use it locate embedded steel reinforcement,tendons, pipes etc., in concrete slabs. There are other technologies that can perform such tasks, but they have a number of shortcomings.
1. Radiography can produce reliable, high-resolution images, but the process requires a potentially hazardous radioactive source and access to both sides of the scanned item. It’s also tedious and time consuming.
2. Magnetometers can detect ferrous metal (iron and steel), but cannot determine depth or dimensions. Deeply embedded materials can be elusive to most hand-held magnetometers and non-ferrous materials (aluminum, plastic, copper, etc.) are undetectable.
3. Two-dimensional GPR will locate embedded items and gross anomalies in the scanned materials, but depth cannot be accurately determined. It also produces a lower resolution image compared to 3D.
The system we use can scan extremely dense materials (such as concrete) to depths of up to 20 inches in any plane. The three-dimensional aspect reliably depicts the scanned items in context. Please do not hesitate to ask us for a free demonstration of our 3D GPR.
ETC Takes A Road Trip
ETC, Inc had the pleasure of visiting Cornell University this past week to consult on a possible project. We look forward to working with this great institution in the future. Who knows…maybe we can even recruit a few of their engineering students to the DC area.
Scientists Claim…Self-healing Coatings!
If scientists from South Korea have created a product that works as well as its advertisement says it does (and not many do), a new self-healing concrete coating may be on the market soon. They claim that it can automatically seal cracks and prevent water from entering concrete pavement. The new, high-tech coating is intended for roadway use and claims to be inexpensive and environmentally friendly.
The secret of this new self-healing concrete protective coating is that it contains microcapsules that are filled with a material that can seal cracks. So when a crack occurs, the microcapsules are ruptured, and the integral sealant is released. When sunlight hits the material it becomes solidified, and thereby completes the sealing process. The new material promises to reduce the need to frequently repave roads, however, it is not clear what might happen on shady streets.
The scientists claim to have created the first self-healing protective coating for concrete, as well as the first to use capsule-type, photo-induced, materials that are catalyst-free, environment-friendly, and inexpensive, We will keep you abreast of any future developments
Getting To Know The ETC Team #5
Sandy Hyson | Administrative Assistant – MD
10 Things You Didn’t Know About Me….
1. I like scary movies.
2. I’ve never seen an entire Harry Potter or Twilight movie; but I have seen all of the Nightmare on Elm Street movies!
3. I have a couple hidden tattoos.
4. I like liver and onions – I know …really??!!
5. I want a Harley Davidson…a Heritage Softtail Classic to be exact
6. McDonald’s French fries are my weakness.
7. I like to sleep late on Saturday’s with my dogs, Max & Toby.
8. I want a Harley (you think if I said it 3 times, my wish might come true?)
9. I took piano lessons when I was a kid – now I can’t play a note.
10. I love Harley Davidsons, Starbucks coffee, Westies and my husband. Not in that order, of course.
Indoor Air Quality
During any construction or renovation project (interior or exterior) it’s important to consider Indoor Environmental Quality (IEQ), particularly air quality. Construction practices can introduce noxious fumes, dust, and other unhealthful contaminants.
A key to maintaining good indoor air quality during construction is to implement an Indoor Air Quality Management Plan (IAQMP). The Sheet Metal and Air Conditioning Contractors National Association (SMACNA) and other organizations have published guidelines for such programs. Presented below are some items to consider.
- HVAC protection – For some activities, it could be necessary to seal off ducts and air handling equipment, or install temporary filters. It could also be beneficial to clean ducts at the end of the project, particularly if the work produced a lot of airborne solids.
Improper efforts to control introduced contaminants can contribute to other air quality problems, such as reducing exchange of stale air for fresh and/or cause damage to HVAC equipment. Accordingly, a mechanical engineer or other qualified professional should be consulted before HVAC systems are sealed, turned off, or disconnected.
- Source Control – Wherever practicable, materials with low toxicity and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) should be specified. Work areas should be adequately ventilated.
- Pathway Interruption – Where possible, temporary barriers should be erected to isolate construction areas, and minimize dust accumulation on stored materials.
- Housekeeping – Jobsite cleaning should be performed throughout the project, not just at the end. Wetting agents or sweeping agents can be used to control dust.
- Scheduling – Where possible, coordinate installation of building materials to reduce introduction of fumes, dust, etc. into interior spaces.
- Air Quality Testing – For some activities, (such as removal of asbestos or lead bearing materials, mold remediation, etc.) the affected spaces should be monitored/tested by a qualified professional. Other potential contaminants could include VOCs, carbon monoxide from generators/ compressors, etc
Getting Started in Infrared
In order to detect concealed construction defects, intrusive (destructive) investigation is the most reliable methodology. However, that type of investigation is not always easily achievable due to difficult access, budgetary constraints, and inconvenience to building occupants. Fortunately, technology has come a long way and now we can detect a variety of construction defects with the help of thermal (infrared) imaging.
Infrared cameras work by sensing the radiant energy (heat) emitted or conducted by the objects in its field of view. The radiant energy is converted into visual images (thermograms) by the camera’s built-in software. Variations in temperature create detailed maps of the study subjects. Thermal diagnostics (for buildings) is based on the principle that materials will conduct heat at varying rates when certain factors are present. For example, materials that are normally poor heat conductors (such as wood or drywall) will readily conduct heat if wet. Missing or compressed insulation and air leaks are also detectable.
In order to perform a successful infrared study of a building, it is highly recommended to have a stable temperature difference of at least ten degrees (10°) between indoor and outdoor temperatures. The imbalance is necessary to facilitate heat gain or loss through the subject materials and reveal their conductivity. If there’s no heat movement, there are no thermal differences to detect.
A common scenario would be to scan a building wall from the outside, during cold, cloudy weather, before sunup or after sunset. Heat lost through the building elements would register as colors and they vary with the degree of loss. Wet or missing insulation might be rendered at the yellow or orange end of the spectrum, whereas dry insulation would be nearer to blue or purple.
Infrared imaging can also be used to detect destructive insect activity (termites, carpenter ants, etc.). Severe damage can be readily observed during a conventional scan, but more advanced equipment may be needed to catch early stages of infestation.
The next time you plan an investigation of your building, consider having an infrared study done. ETC has personnel fully trained and certified to perform infrared studies, and we will be more than happy to walk you through the steps
Prevent Flooring Failures
Moisture problems in concrete cause about $1 billion dollars in flooring failures every year. Prevention of such failures requires strict adherence to product specifications and ASTM procedures. Below are some key points to consider.
- The concrete slab needs proper curing time, and all lighting, heating, and cooling conditions need to be stabilized.
- Any curing compounds used on the slab must be removed.
- Regarding the concrete itself, it should have a water-cement ratio of less than 0.50 and a vapor retarder should be installed at a minimum thickness of 10 mils.
- Adhesives used for the flooring installation must be allowed their proper cure time, after the concrete has cured.
Finally, it’s critical that the slab be tested for moisture by a certified concrete slab moisture testing technician, according to ASTM guidelines. If you have experienced a flooring failure or require moisture testing before flooring installation, give us a call! We have an ICRI certified testing technician on staff to help you.
Getting To Know The ETC Team #3
Joe Shuffleton, P.E. | President & Owner of ETC
10 things you didn’t know about me….
1.) My first athletic trophy was for ice hockey. What can I say…I’m a New England Boy! Go Bruins!
2.) Our first cat Squirt played table hockey with me.
3.) My dad use to call me “Ox” and my younger brother, Jim, “Kong”.
4.) My son’s middle name David is in honor of 3 of my best friends (high school, college and current).
5.) I not only drive fast cars, I build them with my son (and yes, they are road-worthy).
6.) My dad said the proudest day of his life was the first airplane ride I took him on after I got my pilot’s license. He had always wanted to be a pilot in WWII, but couldn’t due to an injury.
7.) I have been riding motorcycles since I was 15.
8.) I was voted “Most Scientific” in my graduating high school class.
9.) I love riding motorcycles in West Virginia. All the roads and the people there are great.
10.) I am privileged to truly like my job and the people with whom I work.
You’re Invited To the Social Gathering
According to the latest addition of Engineered Wood, the building industry is getting quite SOCIAL!
- There are more then 555 million Twitter users, with 8% of U.S. adults using the service daily
- More the 175 million professionals use Linkedin worldwide, and more then 2 million companies have Linkedin pages
- There are more than 1 billion active Facebook users
- 90% of construction professionals surveyed by the Construction Marketing Association use social media in their construction marketing programs ( 88% use Linkedin, 81% use Facebook, 71% use Twitter, 56% use YouTube, 24% use Google+ and 18% use Pinterest)
- 50% of builders, remodelers and architects reported using social media
- 46% of the construction industry found Linkedin to be the most effective social media in achieving results, followed by Twitter 29% and Facebook (26%).
- 69% of those in the construction industry claim they have seen increased awareness of their company as a result of social media marketing.
- 65% have increased their website traffic.
- 44% improved their search ranking.
- 40% have generated sales leads.
Caring For Our Elderly (Structures)
The Baltimore-Washington area is rich with historic structures. These buildings are usually beautiful (or at least visually interesting) but, more importantly they’re reminiscent of our nation’s heritage and essential to understanding America’s culture. Realizing this, owners and managers of historic buildings, or any older structure really, must carefully consider all treatment options before deciding to restore, rehabilitate, or reconstruct.
Restoration stresses the building’s historic character. Whenever possible, materials from the most significant time in the building’s history are conserved, while removal of materials from other periods is generally permissible.
Rehabilitation typically entails retention of as much of the historic elements of a structure as possible; however, it’s accepted that more materials have deteriorated beyond salvation and there is more latitude for replacements.
Reconstruction is the last resort and involves the demolition and replacement of non-surviving or non-functioning building components or even entire structures. This option offers limited opportunities to save the authenticity of the building, but may be necessary if it’s no longer structurally sound.
Myriad factors would dictate the most appropriate strategy, including the physical condition of building components, historical importance, planned usage of space, and building codes. Historically significant structures in this region will usually fall under the purview of historical preservation organizations and their mandates could trump other considerations.
Of course, the best strategy is preservation. Conscientious maintenance and timely, proper repairs can extend the useful lives of building elements hundreds of years, obviating, or at least minimizing, the need for more drastic measures
Arm Yourself Against Drain Flies!
Drain flies, also known as sewer flies or moth flies (not moths though), are about the size of gnats and can be quite annoying as they habitually show up in kitchens, bathrooms, and basements. These fuzzy little pests get their name because they lay their eggs (up to 200 of them) in the hair, food, grease, and other organic matter that accumulates within your drain pipes.
If you’re interested in emancipating your drain pipes, the first thing to do is identify the afflicted drains so they can be targeted for treatment. Locate all your floor drains and sump pump openings. Also, look under your sinks and dishwasher, and behind the refrigerator and water heater. Use a flashlight to inspect the inside of your drains for slime or sludge, or use a long screwdriver and lightly scratch the inner drain pipe surfaces, probing for buildup.
The next step is to remove any organic materials collected in the drain. Sorry, but all the drain cleaner in the world will usually not fix the problem. Home remedies like bleach, vinegar, and boiling water will not work either. These treatments may kill the adult flies inhabiting your drains, but will not destroy the breeding grounds. To do this you must physically clean out the drain pipe and any drain covers with a pipe brush. Especially bad clogs may require the use of a plumbing snake to remove clumps of hair or other blockage. Once the buildup is removed, your problem is solved, once the adult drain flies die off that is!
Drain flies can also breed in the soil around leaking sewer pipes and can enter your house through cracks or gaps in the floor slab. If you find yourself in this situation, the leaky pipes should be repaired immediately and the larvae infested soil must be removed.
If you are experiencing drain flies, it is probably worth having the inside of your plumbing visually inspected by a professional with a video camera. Depending on the severity and type of the sludge, you might find that you have serious drainage issues and/or degrading drain lines