Masonry Magazine April 1995 Page. 36
Construction Holds Steady
At an annualized $270.6-billion, January's rate of construction activity was up less than one percent from the previous month, according to the F.W. Dodge Division of McGraw-Hill. A rebound from nonresidential building, in combination with modest improvement for nonbuilding construction (public works and utilities), offset further weakening for the housing sector.
Nonresidential building in January advanced 8 percent to $130-billion. Increased activity was reported by most structure types, including those commercial categories which have been slow to recover from the last recession offices, warehouses and hotels.
Contracting for manufacturing plants was also up substantially, helped by sustained economic expansion and high rates of capacity utilization. In addition, school construction had a particularly strong January in register highest volume in two years.
Residential construction, at $115.9 billion, dropped 6 percent in January. Recent interest rate hikes continued to have a negative impact on the homebuilding market, with the value of single family starts falling 8 percent. Construction of multifamily units rebounded 13 percent from a weak December.
Two regions reported slower activity the South Atlantic, down 5 percent, and the West, down 13 percent. Moderate expansion was posted by the South Central, up 3 percent, and the Midwest, up 4 percent. The Northeast reported a 19 percent jump in January.
Don't Despair
If you're feeling down about your future, remember:
Sandra Day O'Connor, the U.S. Supreme Court's first woman, was offered only one job when she graduated from law school. The job-a legal secretary.
Michael Jordan was cut from his basketball team in high school. Source: Hope Health Letter, 350 E. Michigan, Kalamazoo, MI 49007. From Communication Briefings.
JOINT REINFORCEMENT
Continued from Page 14
Improved clearance between MWR and block when bed joints are on the low end of their allowed thickness.
Improved water tightness and corrosion protection resulting from greater mortar coverage.
Improved mason productivity. Improved bond development and the ability to use Type N mortar for all applications.
Improved crack control and ductility resulting from the use of light reinforcement closely spaced versus large reinforcement widely spaced.
Mario Catani, the author, is president of Dur-O-Wal. Arlington Heights, Illinois, a Fellow in the American Society of Civil Engineers, a Fellow in the American Concrete Institute, and a member of the Prestressed Concrete Institute. Catani is a graduate of Manhattan College with a bachelor's degree in Civil Engineering and a master's degree from Newark College of Engineering.
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