RockBlog
Calculating the True Cost of a Workplace Accident
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
This article from Grainger.com highlights the importance of protection in the workplace.At the bustling Lisi aerospace - Hi Shear Corp. plant in Torrance, California, among the 680 employees is a group of highly experienced machinists, some with more than 30 years on the job. The challenge is that when one of these workers gets injured, the costs can be high. It can take up to three weeks to train a replacement, there's equipment down-time, interrupted schedules ... Read More
Performance Grade Systems for Asphalt Binders
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
BackgroundAsphalt binders are most commonly graded by their physical properties. An asphalt binder’s physical properties directly describe how it will perform as a constituent in asphalt concrete (AC) pavement. Although asphalt binder penetration and viscosity grading are still commonly used worldwide, new binder tests and specifications have been developed to more accurately characterize asphalt binders for use in AC pavements. The most advanced asphalt binder grading system is Performance Graded (PG) System, which resulted from the ... Read More
An Overview of Asphalt Sealer Systems
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
Asphalt sealers are not slurry seals (Caltrans section 37.2 specifications) but a lot of people refer to asphalt sealers as slurry seals. Asphalt sealers have been in use for over 40 years and today there are basically three different sealer systems: Asphalt emulsion based sealers, clay emulsion based sealers and coal tar based sealers.The first two systems are the ones most commonly used in California; coal tar systems are not heavily used except around asphalt paved ... Read More
Middle School Students Get a Jump on Algebra
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
From Cal State Monterey Bay News:http://news.csumb.edu/news/2013/jan/7/middle-school-students-get-jump-algebraStanding in front of 50 middle school students, CSU Monterey Bay Professor Hongde Hu demonstrated the solution to a math problem as though he were decoding the collective wisdom of the universe.The class was part of the annual Algebra Academy sponsored by Graniterock, which took place over the students’ winter break. Youngsters from Aromas and Rolling Hills middle schools volunteered to attend.Four days of classes were held at the company’s corporate ... Read More
Hot Mix Asphalt Tennis Courts: Material Selection, Construction, Repair and Maintenance
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
Hot mix asphalt can be used for tennis courts to provide a durable, flat surface with good traction for players, clear defined boundary lines and consistent ball movement. Asphalt surfaces are not susceptible to rain unlike other types of courts and will not require much maintenance. Asphalt can be placed and compacted to develop one level surface without joints and will also allow for specialized coatings to be placed on the surface.ConsiderationsBefore placing asphalt for a ... Read More
Near Term Economic Growth - A Fiscal Cliffhanger II
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
The National Association of HomeBuilders discusses economics and housing policy.The Bureau of Economic Analysis (BEA) released the third (and final) estimate of real GDP growth for the third quarter of 2012. Growth was revised to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 3.1%, up from 2.7% in the second estimate (last month) and 2.0% in the advance estimate (October), a marked improvement from the second quarter pace of 1.3%. The revision was largely due to upward revisions ... Read More
Warm Mix Asphalt Update
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
New Technologies Offer Opportunity for Improved RoadwaysWarm Mix Asphalt (WMA) is the name given to conventional Hot-Mix Asphalt (HMA) that is modified by additives or changes in manufacturing processes that allows asphalt mixes to be produced and placed at low temperatures. Reductions of 50 to 100 degrees Fahrenheit have been documented.WMA technology has now been in the U.S. about 10 years. Since its introduction, millions of tons of WMA have been placed throughout the U.S, and ... Read More
Winter Driving Tips from Cal Trans
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
Winter weather can be alarming and hazardous for drivers. The best defense is to stay off the roads in stormy weather, but if you must drive, use caution, common sense, and be prepared. Mountain areas and highways in higher elevations (such as I-5 in north Los Angeles County, SR-39 and SR-2, below left) may bring snow, ice, and blizzard-like conditions. The winter driving tips below might save your life.* Use the Caltrans Quickmap (quickmap.dot.ca.gov) to check ... Read More
Finding Your Mentor
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
by Andy Winzelberg, Management ConsultantAfter working on the crew for a number of years, John accepted the challenge of becoming a supervisor. The problem was he didn’t really know what was expected of him now that he was “management”. How was he going to relate to friends he had worked with for years? What should he do when he needed to give them critical feedback or ask them to do something they didn’t want to do? ... Read More
Housing Starts Up 3.6 Percent Nationwide in October
Posted by Graniterock on Wed, March 18th, 2015, 8:16 am
Source: National Association of Home BuildersWASHINGTON — Nov. 20, 2012 — Nationwide housing production rose 3.6 percent in October to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 894,000 units, according to the U.S. Commerce Department. This is the highest pace of new-home construction since July of 2008."This report is in line with our latest builder surveys, which show improving confidence and optimism in the marketplace as buyers take advantage of low mortgage rates and very attractive prices," ... Read More
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