Steve B wrote:
"Abby Brown" wrote in message
...
Hi,

Concrete construction is common in Central America and other Latin
American locales. Other than being hurricane and earthquake
resistant what are the advantages and disadvantages of this
construction? Thanks,
Gary

Having been to Mexico several times, their construction techniques
leave a lot to be desired. I have seen shoring made of tree limbs. It is
also common that if you think you may be adding a floor at any
time in the future, to just let the rebar stick up for ten feet all
around the perimeter of the building, and in all bearing walls. I
have worked concrete and construction in the US. There are obvious
areas within the pour where one can see different consistencies of
concrete, rather than a monolithic pour, as in poured all in the same
day. Their construction looks like they had enough to do just this
much, so they poured that much, or mixed it on site or in a tumbler
by the sack, then came back at a later date and did more. The walls
show lines of different concrete pours. They also look like they
have never heard of a concrete vibrator.
I would say in Mexico, cost would be a factor, and speed of progress.
As mentioned, less likely to be hit by insects or wind or weather. In that
climate, also, it stays cool, and in the "winter" retains
heat.

in mexico, taxing starts at building completion. with rebar sticking out of
the top, they can say that construction isn't completed and so shouldn't be
taxed. buildings sometimes are never "completed".