Relationship-driven critical path method scheduling software
Primavera Systems, Inc., announced the availability of Primavera Pertmaster (version 8.2), which is certified as relationship-driven critical path method (RD-CPM) compliant. The program allows planners and schedulers to create intelligent plans that take into account the relationships that drive a schedule. Typical critical path method products do simplistic calculations, based primarily on task durations, not accounting for the overlap among tasks. With Pertmaster, the planner can relax certain schedule restraints using codes in order to model alternative approaches and contracting strategies. The rationale for each restraint can be defined, and then sets of restraints can be applied, if desired, during schedule computation. The result is a schedule that is more reliable and accurate and more likely to be delivered upon according to plan and budget.
Primavera Systems Inc., www.primavera.com

Deep pour grout
Devcon Deep Pour Grout is a 100 percent solids, filled-epoxy compound ideal for forming mounting pads up to 6 inches deep; rebuilding spalled concrete; setting machine anchor bolts; and leveling compressors, generators, large pumps, and other machinery. Formulated for high compressive strength (14,600 psi) and low shrinkage, it is many times stronger than concrete, withstands intense vibration, and resists industrial chemicals. Deep Pour Grout is easy to mix and pour, self-leveling, and bonds readily to metal or concrete. It has a pot life of 40 minutes and a functional cure time of 24 hours at 70° F. Cured hardness (ASTM D2240) is 87 Shore D. Deep Pour Grout is acceptable for use in meat and poultry plants.
Devcon, www.devcon.com

New edition of project information management software
Newforma, Inc., a software company addressing the project information management (PIM) needs of the design and building industry, announced that Newforma Project Center Fifth Edition is now commercially available. The company recently completed an early release program with eight Newforma customers. The fifth edition advances Newforma’s support for the contract administration phase, greatly expands the ways in which external team members can collaborate via Newforma Info Exchange, and introduces new and unique capabilities for project monitoring. The fifth edition builds upon the important fundamentals of email management, search and transmittals management and delivers a whole new level of project process support. The more streamlined contract administration and design review process increases time savings and improves visibility to issues that threaten to take projects off track.
Newforma Inc., www.newforma.com

Taper-threaded splices to meet new masonry code requirements
Erico announced that its Lenton taper-threaded splice meets the American Concrete Institute’s (ACI) concrete and masonry code changes that require longer lap lengths in masonry construction. This code change means more congestion in the masonry cells and more difficulty in construction. Mechanical rebar couplers eliminate the need to use more expensive open-cell blocks. The Lenton taper-threaded splice—one of the most widely used mechanical splicing systems in the world today—quickly and easily connects two pieces of rebar. Lenton splices are designed for use on worldwide standard grades of rebar and meet ACI-318, ACI-530, BS 8110, CSA and DIN 1045 full-tension splice requirements, and many other international standards. No special, high-strength, enlarged thread section or increased rebar size is necessary, allowing the supply of rebar from multiple sources for maximum cost savings.
Erico International Corporation, www.erico.com

Construction plastic protection jackets for construction drawings
Plan Mate is an innovative, clear polypropylene plastic jacket for protecting construction drawings from damage. Without protection, important plans can be ruined by wear, tear, wrinkles, folds, and exposure to the weather and everyday realities of a construction site. Available in two sizes, A4 and A5, Plan Mate uses a structure that opens out to securely accommodate plans up to an A1 size. Documents can be easily folded for storage and transport and viewed from either side. Plan Mate, manufactured in the UK, has a water-resistant cover sheet suitable for annotation. Plan Mate developer and managing director David Buzzard was studying as a quantity surveyor at Manchester University when he faced first-hand the problem of ripped, dirty, and damaged construction plans. After months of development and 2 years in use, Plan Mate was recently granted a patent.
Plan-Mate, www.plan-mate.com

Drop-in place, fiber-reinforced polymer composite bridge superstructure
Composite Advantage LLC has built a new drop-in-place, fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bridge superstructure for the Eight Mile Road Bridge in Hamilton County, Ohio. The unique, integrated FRP bridge system provides for faster installation times and eliminates the need for heavy equipment. Unlike conventional FRP decks on steel beams, the drop-in-place FRP bridge system is prefabricated with integral beams and deck and incorporates the entire superstructure. Composite Advantage built a total of eight panels for the Hamilton County project at its manufacturing facility in Dayton, Ohio. Installation for the 22-foot long, 62-foot wide bridge was complete in just one day. It included eight panels being dropped in place side by side from abutment to abutment. The new FRP bridge system is corrosion resistant, requires no maintenance and has a life cycle of 100 years.
Composite Advantage LLC www.compositeadvantage.com