The last few years have shown an increase in the usage of Latex Modified Concrete.  This product is typically used as an overlay on bridge decks, and parking garages.  The product enables the concrete to resist water, and more importantly any salts or chemical deicing agents, from infiltrating the deck and causing damage to the reinforcing steel and structural members below.  This product is best delivered by a Volumetric Mixer due to the unique characteristics and consistency requirements.  Zimmerman Industries has been in the forefront of this industry since the early 1980’s, and continues to be the leader today.

Since 2008, we have delivered Zimmerman Latex Volumetric Mixers to both small and large contractors.  Some of these provide the Latex Modified Concrete to other contractors, and others produce the material for their own placement crews.  This summer Zimmerman Industries delivered four Latex Modified Volumetric Mixers to one of the most well respected contractors in the area, Trumbull Corporation of West Mifflin, PA.  Trumbull Corporation, along with P.J.Dick and Lindy Paving, are a closely linked family of companies that brings innovative solutions, dedicated professional personnel, a legacy of quality and safety, and more than 50 years of construction experience to the table.  Trumbull Corporation has been a major contributor to the local Pittsburgh and regional construction marker since it’s inception in 1955.  Although they are headquartered in Pittsburgh, they operate a regional office in West Virginia, and establish project control centers wherever they have large construction projects.  Among the dozens of awards that are displayed in their offices, Trumbull Corporation was recently given the Bridge Award of Excellence for their work on the Woodrow Wilson Memorial Bridge over the Potomac River in Washington, DC.

In order to deliver Latex Modified Concrete, Volumetric Mixer must pass stringent tests by State Departments of Transportation both prior to acceptance on a project, as well as ongoing verification during the placement process.  To aid in this process, Zimmerman Industries provided on site support and training.  Not only were the Operators and Maintenance Personnel given over 30 hours of instruction, a session was held for all of the DOT representatives in the region to explain the Equipment, the Materials and the applicable Standards for this project.    A complete calibration of each of the units was then accomplished, with all of the results being verified at every stage of the job.  A test pad was then poured in the Customers yard.  A key factor in this project was the use of a rapid setting cement in addition to the Latex Component.  All systems had to be accurate and consistent as there was little margin for error due to the set time of the material – 15 minutes.  Once the testing was complete, Zimmerman Industries accompanied the units on their first project, a bridge deck overlooking Heinz Stadium, home of the Super Bowl Champion Pittsburgh Steelers.

This project, because of the location in downtown Pittsburgh, work can only be done on weekends, and only when the Steelers are not in town.  The deck must be closed, milled, cleaned, and covered.  Only then can the Latex Modified product be placed.  Each pour was continuous, with testing and yield verification done at specific intervals.  The Trumbull team, armed with Zimmerman Units, met every challenge, and passed every test.

The Zim-Mixer patented Chain Delivery Mechanism delivers each ingredient with accuracy and consistency from beginning to end.  The ability to spot check any individual ingredient enables the inspection team to easily do all required checks in minutes, allowing the contractor to continue his time sensitive operation with minimal interruption.  Our units meet all of the ASTM, ACI, and AASHTO requirements for accuracy and consistency.  We even provide a Yield Box with each unit to aid in the testing and verification process.  Not only does our unit help the customer and specifying agency, we provide on site training for the Contractor as well as the Inspectors in the Calibration of Volumetric Mixers and the Operation of the unit.  

We have worked with contractors in Illinois, New Jersey, Virginia and Pennsylvania over the last year, both in initial training and technical support on job sites – day and night.  In each of these projects, our customers have been able to deliver quality and consistency, and met all deadlines allowing them to compete in the most difficult economic season that any of us has seen.