This sounds like a very interesting piece of technology. team led by Bassem Andrawes, at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, is developing a repair method based on shape memory alloy (SMA) wire. This "remembers" its previous shape and returns to it on heating. The first stage of the repair is to remove loose concrete from the damaged column and replace it with quick-setting mortar. Then a spiral of wire made of a nickel-titanium-niobium alloy is wrapped around the column. This applies pressure to the column and strengthens it. James L. Salmon, Esq. MORE >>

See original article at When Should You File Your Georgia Mechanics Lien? must give a hat tip to the Cobb Law Group and their great Georgia Construction and Lien Law Blog for a really terrific post two weeks ago titled: When Should A Mechanics’ Lien or Materialmen’s Lien Be Filed in Georgia. highly recommend heading over to their blog to read this post, which offers practical information to potential lien claimants in Georgia. The question addressed by the post (and the title of this post) appears to be quite basic: When must a lien be filed in Georgia? Damn Lawyers! MORE >>

A few weeks ago I posted about tampons and marketing, and it stirred a bit of a conversation. In fact, I received and email from one of my long-time readers with an observation he made while cruising the aisles at CVS. won’t name him, but he is a pretty high-end builder who does great work and caters to the female buyer. The topic: Pregnancy Tests. In the email, my reader mentioned that he noticed an end-cap in his CVS offering pregnancy tests on sale. His point…why discount pregnancy tests? You either need one or you don’t right? Diapers. Baby food. About a year for formula. MORE >>

The little things often get overlooked, but anyone will tell you, "It's the little things in life that matter." Though seemingly quite humble and insignificant, a welding apron is essential protection from sparks and burning projectiles when welding. It is as essential as welding helmets, protective shoes, clothing, and gloves. It would be easy for a seasoned welder to take for granted safety precautions they perhaps were more diligent with in the past. Considering safety equipment periodically is essential. Is your welding apron in good repair? Could it be time to replace this staple? MORE >>

Image via Wikipedia. Over the past week or two I’ve been covering HB 1265, a bill that was working its way through the Virginia General Assembly legislative sausage making process.  I gave you my thoughts on the original bill as written and then on the somewhat better (though far from perfect) amended bill. Well, this past Monday I had the opportunity to take part in the hearing on the bill before the Virginia Senate committee that was considering whether to recommend the amended bill to the entire Senate for a vote. I’d love to hear your thoughts on the result. license. MORE >>