Abstract: A concrete surface with a cold joint, dowel slip system and method for forming that surface are provided. Baseplates having tubular projections are fastened to at least one first form using fasteners extending part way into the first form, with the first form forming part of a periphery of a first concrete slab. When the first form is removed, the baseplates, projections and fasteners remain embedded in the first concrete slab. Slip dowels are inserted into the tubular projections and a second concrete is poured adjoining the first concrete slab, with the second concrete embedding the slip dowels, backplates and projecting distal ends of the fasteners and forming a cold joint.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: A method of laying one or more concrete topping slabs over an existing concrete structure includes providing a concrete form defining an area on a surface of the concrete structure, drilling a hole into the surface of the concrete structure within the area, the hole being closer to a first border of the concrete form than to a second border of the concrete form opposite the first border, attaching first and second slip-dowel receiving sheaths respectively to the first and second borders, securing a first end portion of a bent metal bar in the hole with a second end portion of the bent metal bar extending parallel to the surface and the slip-dowel receiving sheaths toward the second border, and pouring a concrete mixture over the surface of the concrete structure and about the first and second slip-dowel receiving sheaths and the second end portion of the bent metal bar.

Abstract: A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.

Abstract: A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.

Abstract: A concrete surface with a cold joint, dowel slip system and method for forming that surface are provided. Baseplates having tubular projections are fastened to at least one first form using fasteners extending part way into the first form, with the first form forming part of a periphery of a first concrete slab. When the first form is removed, the baseplates, projections and fasteners remain embedded in the first concrete slab. Slip dowels are inserted into the tubular projections and a second concrete is poured adjoining the first concrete slab, with the second concrete embedding the slip dowels, backplates and projecting distal ends of the fasteners and forming a cold joint.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: A method of laying one or more concrete topping slabs over an existing concrete structure includes providing a concrete form defining an area on a surface of the concrete structure, drilling a hole into the surface of the concrete structure within the area, the hole being closer to a first border of the concrete form than to a second border of the concrete form opposite the first border, attaching first and second slip-dowel receiving sheaths respectively to the first and second borders, securing a first end portion of a bent metal bar in the hole with a second end portion of the bent metal bar extending parallel to the surface and the slip-dowel receiving sheaths toward the second border, and pouring a concrete mixture over the surface of the concrete structure and about the first and second slip-dowel receiving sheaths and the second end portion of the bent metal bar.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: A concrete wall has a back surface supported by a back panel while a decorative material is applied to an opposing front surface of the wall by hand or by pneumatic projection while the surface is still plastic, and without using bonding agents. The decorative material may be further exposed by a surface treatment before or after the front surface is floated and finished, with a sealant optionally applied thereafter. The front surface may be created by pneumatic methods or by pouring concrete into forms and removing the front panel to expose the front surface while it is still plastic but hydrated enough not to slump.

Abstract: A concrete wall has a back surface supported by a back panel while a decorative material is applied to an opposing front surface of the wall by hand or by pneumatic projection while the surface is still plastic, and without using bonding agents. The decorative material may be further exposed by a surface treatment before or after the front surface is floated and finished, with a sealant optionally applied thereafter. The front surface may be created by pneumatic methods or by pouring concrete into forms and removing the front panel to expose the front surface while it is still plastic but hydrated enough not to slump.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: A concrete surface with a cold joint, dowel slip system and method for forming that surface are provided. Baseplates having tubular projections are fastened to at least one first form using fasteners extending part way into the first form, with the first form forming part of a periphery of a first concrete slab. When the first form is removed, the baseplates, projections and fasteners remain embedded in the first concrete slab. Slip dowels are inserted into the tubular projections and a second concrete is poured adjoining the first concrete slab, with the second concrete embedding the slip dowels, backplates and projecting distal ends of the fasteners and forming a cold joint.

Abstract: A method of laying one or more concrete topping slabs over an existing concrete structure includes providing a concrete form defining an area on a surface of the concrete structure, drilling a hole into the surface of the concrete structure within the area, the hole being closer to a first border of the concrete form than to a second border of the concrete form opposite the first border, attaching first and second slip-dowel receiving sheaths respectively to the first and second borders, securing a first end portion of a bent metal bar in the hole with a second end portion of the bent metal bar extending parallel to the surface and the slip-dowel receiving sheaths toward the second border, and pouring a concrete mixture over the surface of the concrete structure and about the first and second slip-dowel receiving sheaths and the second end portion of the bent metal bar.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.

Abstract: Systems and methods of shotcrete construction are contemplated whereby guide rails are placed in proximity and forward to a shotcrete receiving surface, with any guide rails disposed directly in front of the shotcrete receiving surface being configured to be offset from the receiving surface allowing shotcrete to be sprayed behind the offset guide rails. Following application of shotcrete, a screed configured to engage with and traverse along at least two of the guide rails may be used to rod the shotcrete via a protruding region of the screed extending beyond the guide rails, thereby removing excess shotcrete and imparting to the shotcrete surface a contour at least partially defined by the configuration of the guide rails and the configuration of the protruding region of the screed. Complex, precise, and even exotic architectural shotcrete installations may be created in this fashion by providing a suitable set of guide rails and screed.

Abstract: A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.

Abstract: A surveying system for a construction site has a restricted antenna system with a plurality of fixed location antennas each defined by a set of location data associated with a specific deployment position. The surveying system also has a computing device with a data processor and a display screen. A communications module establishes a data transfer link with the restricted antenna system over which spatial data for distances between current positions of the computing device and one or more of the plurality of fixed location antennas are received. The computing device is loadable with project drawings corresponding to the construction site and displayable on the display screen. A position marker is overlaid on the display of the project drawing at a position thereon corresponding to a computing device location value derived from the spatial data and the location data of one or more of the fixed location antennas.