Demand for Creative Construction Strategies Paves Way for Modern Concrete Block Suppliers
Case Study
Construction professionals who design and manage large projects agree that a concrete product supplier that can quickly create and deliver high volumes of quality products is an absolute must. Yet the rush to finish a high school athletic complex on a tight deadline with atypical foundation specifications revealed that a firm also equipped to provide customized solutions to meet architectural and engineering challenges is priceless.
The Mercedes High School athletic stadium in Texas required an unusually tall, 71-foot wall. As a result, special load-bearing concrete blocks would be needed for the foundation. Since the approval for project funding came late, architects, engineers and material makers had less than six months to complete the project before the first football game in September 2015.
However, construction could not begin until the 12-inch foundation blocks were created with a unique concrete masonry unit (CMU) mix and then tested for a compressive strength of 4,000 pounds per square inch (PSI). Standard concrete block products are 1,900 PSI on average, so this project required a customized approach.
Bill Wilson, a 30-year veteran and president of D. Wilson Construction, the company selected to build the complex, knew he would need a major concrete product supplier that could manufacture a large volume of material to meet strict deadlines. The selected firm also needed to have the capability of quickly developing and testing a custom-designed block that could support a tall wall and press box.
Innovative Block had set up shop in La Feria, Texas, with a highly automated facility. Company leaders told Wilson that they had never made blocks of the size and compressive strength required for the project, yet they assured him their firm was ideally suited for the challenge. Why? The long-term game plan began with an investment in sophisticated equipment needed to mix and manufacture a variety of concrete products at high volume. They also had recruited an expert staff that embraced creative problem solving.
“Innovative Block brought a new, progressive set of people and modernized equipment to their projects. I was convinced they were up to the challenge,” says Wilson.
Yet construction of the athletic complex could not begin until the specialty blocks had been pushed to extremes to test for compressive strength. Wilson says the key element was the corners of the blocks, because that’s where the weight, or load, of the 71-foot wall would be concentrated.
“That block was the first we had to lay, so we had our concerns. It was a unique stadium project, higher than usual, with a press box on top,” he recalls. Although the mix and compression tests for the blocks ultimately were successful, Wilson knew other challenges, such as quality control, would follow.
Over the years, Innovative Block perfected methods that guarantee consistent quality and size when manufacturing large volumes. For example, under normal conditions, it can produce 12 standard concrete blocks every 20 seconds. But that capacity can be cranked up to a total of 50,000 blocks per day when needed. Also, the new company’s process avoids variances: Block 12 will be exactly the same as Block 1, which makes the mason’s job easier and faster.
Miguel Chanin, principal owner of Chanin Engineering, recalls that designing the components of the Mercedes project was challenging because the walls had to withstand the region’s Tier 1 rating. The heavy wind loads in the area compare with those in Florida’s Dade County.
“In the end, it looks like a simple building, but it required some extra effort. We knew we’d need a higher strength in the concrete products. When we are looking for a different perspective on block or need a custom solution, Innovative Block provides the necessary expertise. For engineers, that’s invaluable,” he says.
According to both Chanin and Wilson, construction went smoothly, and the stadium opened in time for the Mercedes Tigers to fulfill the Texas tradition of Friday Night Lights.
But when fans arrived for the big game, they also got a first look at all the other elements of the project — restrooms, a concessions building, gymnasium, weight room, and an eight-lane track that circles the artificial-turf field. These portions of the complex demanded other realms of expertise that went beyond the speed and efficiency required to create the load-bearing foundation blocks.
For example, the architectural plan for the 6,000-seat Mercedes stadium project required colored Holland pavers on the walkways that connected the various spaces. The pavers are far more aesthetic than concrete walkways, and they also can help reduce runoff and thus pollution, which affects many cities in the South’s arid regions. Pavers can be permeable and help retain or detain the damaging “first blush” water runoff during torrential rains.
Color Matching, Cast Stone
While concrete blocks are a much-needed commodity in the construction industry, these days, architects and builders of residential and commercial projects are not satisfied with standard products. Instead, they want customized solutions to upgrade the aesthetics of a design. They know that while gray concrete blocks can be painted, that process creates a maintenance headache that lasts for the life of the building.To avoid the inconvenience and repeated expense, Innovative Block uses iron oxide Lanxess powdered pigments to maintain color integrity throughout the 60 types of blocks they offer. Custom colors are ideal for campus buildings that wish to display school colors, for example. The process also allows a perfect match of wall and paver colors to better express the vision of the architect and customer.
In fact, the ability to manufacture every element of a construction project avoids the sometimes futile attempt to mix and match products from different manufacturers. It is essential for projects that, for instance, accent a smooth-face block with a split-face block or paver with a complimentary color. The palette must all fit together.
To accommodate designers who crave more artistry in their façades, Innovative Block offers wet cast and cast stone products. The cast stone adds detail when framing windows on stately projects such as courthouses and other government buildings. The stone looks like sandstone but is very durable. These types of products are custom manufactured to the specs of each project, thanks to the firm’s on-site mold shop.
Asphalt Alternative
Innovative Block continues to seek new solutions that improve endurance and save money for municipalities. To that end, the firm has discovered that pavers are durable and are a smart, cost-effective alternative to asphalt for firehouses and other sites with heavy-vehicle traffic.The Mercedes athletic complex and other types of projects suggest that concrete suppliers must offer more than manufacturing capability. By expanding their menu of services, and welcoming creative staff members, modern firms are creating one-stop shopping for construction companies.
For more information about Innovative Block products and services, call 956-797-4200 or visit www.innovativeblock.com.
About the Author
Douglas Glenn Clark is a freelance journalist based in Greater Los Angeles.
