Author Archives: Leo Schlosberg
Lessons from small failures – Part II: Designing for durability
If you get to design and build generation after generation of essentially the same structure and you get to study the old problems, then you end up with a mature well-designed product. Over the decades automobiles have clearly become both … Continue reading
Lessons from small failures – Part I: Searching for truth
The “failure” here is simply a piece of architectural precast concrete that cracked open much earlier in its life than expected. The piece is part of a system of curbs and railings on a bridge. Photos were sent to me … Continue reading
Lovely spring day makes everything look better
Today was a lovely spring day and I even got to take a little bike ride. That puts me in a very good mood. So one of those constant screw-ups that occur here on planetcommercialconstruction struck me as funny rather than … Continue reading
Rare pleasant surprise
This posting was inspired by a request for a final waiver. Last summer I took on a tiny job – a single beam cover (turned out to be 3 pieces when we were done). The job was a poster child … Continue reading
Fads, fashions, and trends on planet commercial construction
Some planets are static for long periods of time. Some not. One nice thing about Planet Commercial Construction is that it demands attention, so little is routine. Change is rampant. When the a new or oddball situation repeats, I quickly … Continue reading
Benches, Sidewalks, and Construction Tolerances
I have a project in which one of the elements we are furnishing and installing is a bunch of large precast concrete benches. They appear on a landscape sheet that also calls for aligning bench ends with sidewalk scores. Simple … Continue reading
A devilish grin amongst the details?
Some of the facts of life on this planet (commercial construction in the USA) : • You are governed by lots of documents (contracts, plan, specs, ASI’s …) • Plans often have conflicts, improbabilities, or impossibilities within them. • Specs are almost … Continue reading
