Misconceptions of Wind Damage to Asphalt Composition Shingles December 28, 2017 By Carlos R. Lopez, PhD, PE; Jonathan S. Goode, PhD, PE; and Scott R. Morrison, PE The topic of wind-lifted shingles remains a controversial subject in the roofing industry. There are many misconceptions and a number of issues with asphalt shingles that are commonly incorrectly attributed to wind effects. Some of the current and most […] Read More
RCI Interface Featured Article: Moisture Analysis in Unconditioned Concrete September 27, 2017 By Kip Gatto, PE, SE and Grace Wong, AIA, LEED AP Introduction Moisture-sensitive materials such as adhesives and coatings (simplified as “coatings” for this article) are routinely applied to concrete surfaces in exterior plazas, roof structures, concourses, retention structures, parking garages, etc., for various purposes, including waterproofing and protection. The service environments for the coatings […] Read More
Publish in RCI Interface September 25, 2017 RCI Interface journal is seeking submissions for the following issues. Optimum article size is 2000 to 3000 words, containing five to ten graphics. Articles may serve commercial interests but should not promote specific products. Articles on subjects that do not fit any given theme may be submitted at any time. Issue Subject Submission Deadline January […] Read More
Coal Tar Sealants Facing Bans September 24, 2017 Numerous states and municipalities are banning the use of coal tar sealants commonly used in the paving of driveways, parking lots, and roadways. Research indicates that coal tar sealants are a major source of polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons, or PAHs. At high levels of exposure, these chemicals are known to be toxic. In 2015, the U.S. […] Read More
Jackdaws Strip Straw From Rethatched Roof September 24, 2017 The National Trust of England has been fighting to save the £75,000 (U.S. $88,600) thatched roof of a historic barn at a World Heritage site from jackdaws that have been tearing out the fresh straw. The 17th-century Tithe Barn in Avebury, Wiltshire, is owned by the U.K.’s National Trust and is home to a museum […] Read More
Córdoba Cultural Center’s Undulating Roof Is Also a Plaza September 24, 2017 A huge sloping public square doubles as a roof for the Centro Cultural de Córdoba (Córdoba Cultural Center) in Córdoba, Argentina. The site, in Sarmiento Park, was commissioned by the city to commemorate the bicentennial of the Argentine Republic (July 9, 2016) and is located between two museums. The building is made of three elements: […] Read More
Marijuana Use Threatens Drug-Free Workplaces July 26, 2017 The District of Columbia and 28 states have legalized marijuana use in some form. Now more than 20 percent of all Americans live in a state where recreational marijuana use is legal. Nevertheless, it is still illegal under federal law. The federal Controlled Substances Act classifies marijuana as a Schedule 1 drug along with LSD […] Read More
RCI, Inc. Interface Featured Article, August 2017: Accessing the Arch July 26, 2017 By Remo Capolino, RRC, PE; and Christine Freisinger, SE, PE The 630-foot-tall stainless steel Gateway Arch in St. Louis, Missouri, was designed in 1947 by architect Eero Saarinen to commemorate the city’s role in westward expansion. Since its official dedication in 1968, this National Historic Landmark has captivated over one-hundred million visitors. As the tallest […] Read More
Polyethylene-Core Panels Accused in Fatal London Fire July 25, 2017 Officials continue to point fingers in the June 14 fire in Grenfell Tower apartments in London, England, which killed approximately 80 people. But the loudest voices are blaming the use of polyethylene exterior cladding for allowing the rapid spread of the blaze. Such cladding is banned in the U.S. on buildings higher than 40 feet. […] Read More
Waiting to Inhale…the New Silica Rule July 24, 2017 By Kristen Ammerman Controversy concerning the Occupational Safety and Health Administration’s (OSHA’s) impending new silica rule continues to raise dust over the construction industry, and the roofing sector in particular has aired a prime area of concern surrounding the regulation. Consultants who also spend time around construction products that commonly contain crystalline silica, such as […] Read More
