The construction industry continues to face a persistent shortage of skilled workers, with the Associated Builders and Contractors estimating that hundreds of thousands of additional workers are needed to meet current demand. In response to this critical gap, online educator Penn Foster has launched a comprehensive Construction Trades Career Diploma program designed to prepare students […]
This week in construction, the industry saw a convergence of major themes that will shape how contractors approach equipment selection, project delivery, and materials handling for years to come. Leading the most-read stories was Caterpillar’s rollout of the Next Gen 980 and 982 medium wheel loaders, machines that promise up to 35 percent fuel savings
R Value U Value Concrete Slabs are essential considerations in building science, but the quality of the concrete itself depends on skilled, certified professionals who understand the material at a fundamental level. The American Concrete Institute (ACI) certification program has become the industry standard for concrete professionals seeking to validate their expertise. With more than
Reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) has long been a material of interest in road construction, but its application in pavement preservation surface treatments has gained significant momentum. As agencies and contractors seek cost-effective and sustainable alternatives to virgin aggregates, RAP has emerged as a viable option for chip seals, slurry seals, and microsurfacing. Greg Duncan, senior
Every construction business owner eventually faces the question of what their company is truly worth. Whether you plan to sell in the near future, hand the business down to the next generation, or simply want to build a stronger organization, the principles of value creation apply at every stage. A construction firm that systematically builds
The construction equipment rental industry has experienced remarkable transformation over recent years, with 2019 and 2020 marking significant milestones in how building contractors approach equipment acquisition. According to the American Rental Association (ARA), equipment renting in the construction sector reached an all-time high, with 93 percent of contractors reporting they rented equipment in 2019. This
No one predicted the onset of COVID-19 or the degree to which the pandemic would disrupt construction. But in many ways, it forced the industry to accelerate its digital transformation by several years. Equipment manufacturers, rental companies, and contractors alike had to rethink how they operate, communicate, and serve customers in a socially distanced world.
Infrastructure maintenance is one of the most pressing challenges facing the construction industry today. When inspections reveal cracks in critical structures, the decision to repair or delay carries enormous consequences. The I-40 bridge closure over the Mississippi River in 2021 provided a stark demonstration of what happens when deferred maintenance goes unchecked. A crack first
The percentage of air voids in asphalt pavement is one of the most critical factors determining pavement longevity. Air voids are the tiny spaces between coated aggregate particles in a compacted mix, and controlling them is essential for durability. Just as How Environmental Factors Affect Composite Material Performance and Durability in Construction shows how material-environment
Hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures that exhibit tender characteristics present a significant challenge during compaction. When a mix moves or shoves excessively under the weight of rolling equipment, achieving required density becomes difficult. However, by understanding the three distinct temperature zones that exist in a tender mix and applying the right equipment strategy for each
