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 Precast
Bridge Options
Speed Replacement
When replacing the State Route 108-Perry Street bridge in Napoleon,
Ohio, designers were challenged not just with replacing the
existing 700-feet long, seven-span, filled-arch concrete bridge
in one year, but to do it at the same location and without disturbing
the bottom of the river.
The latest developments in precast concrete were used as solutions.
Technologies such as variable depth precast modules, spliced-girder
technology, pretopped decked girders, and biaxial post-tensioning
were used to their full advantage. The existing roadway was
closed to traffic on February. 1, 2005, and the new &17.4
million bridge was open to traffic on Oct. 29, 2005.
The new precast segmental concrete bridge carries four lanes
of traffic across the Maumee River and features two multiuse
paths, decorative parapet walls and roadway lighting, and architectural
details in the bridge’s concrete arches.
The Perry Street bridge was a winner in PCA's 2006 Tenth Biennial
Bridge Awards Competition.
More
at www.cement.org
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EPA Issues Mercury
Standard for Cement Plants
Today, the U.S. Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA) announced emission limits for mercury and hydrocarbons
from cement plants.
Issued as amendments to the National Emission Standards for
Hazardous Air Pollutants (NESHAP), the ruling sets mercury and
hydrocarbon emission limits for cement kilns built after December
2, 2005. Plants built before that date will reduce emissions
by conforming to work practice requirements, which EPA issued
as part of the ruling.
The rule also prohibits the use of fly ash from utilities as
a raw material if its mercury content has increased through
the use of emission controls, unless the cement plant can demonstrate
that the fly ash will not increase mercury emissions.
PCA is currently analyzing the rule and its impact on the industry.
View
or download an EPA fact sheet on the rule (PDF).
Contact Andy O'Hare
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FHWA Releases Report on Rapid
Concrete Bridge Construction
On December 6, the Federal Highway Administration
(FHWA) released a summary report of a conference held on rapid
bridge construction.
The purpose of the conference was to develop
guidance on what is needed to further implement rapid bridge
construction nationally to better respond to bridge replacement
demands.
The workshop featured presentations by a panel
of experts representing the FHWA, state departments of transportation,
contractors, and other officials.
View
the report at www.fhwa.dot.gov
Contact
Shri Bhidé
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PCA Releases Survey of Labor
and Energy Use
PCA's Economic Research department has published
U.S. and Canadian Labor-Energy Input Survey - 2005. This
annual survey details the cement industry’s labor and
energy usage. The report (in PDF format) focuses on energy consumption
by fuel type (including waste fuels) and contains aggregated
historical labor and energy efficiency trends summarized by
type of process, size of kiln, and age of plant. Individual
plant detail is not presented. Cost is $250 (free to PCA members).
More
information or to purchase/download
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PCA Appoints Hogle as Director
of Legislative Affairs
PCA named Jessica C. Hogle as director of legislative affairs.
She will oversee PCA’s political action committee, PCA
PAC, as well as represent the cement industry in a variety of
Capitol Hill activities.
Hogle brings a strong reputation in fundraising and consulting
for a variety of Congressional and national candidates. Most
recently, as an associate at Campaign Financial Consultants,
Washington, D.C., she was the national finance director for
former Attorney General Sheldon Whitehouse’s successful
Senate campaign against incumbent Sen. Lincoln Chafee.
Previously, Hogle served as the major gift coordinator for the
Democratic Leadership Council and worked as a fundraiser for
Joe Lieberman for President, Inc.
Hogle received her Bachelor of Arts degree from University of
the South, Sewanee, Tenn., and studied at the University of
York and Oxford University, Lincoln College, in England.
Contact
Jessica Hogle
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 Concrete
Construction Honors Mike Weber
Concrete Construction magazine honored
Mike Weber, PCA’s director of residential construction,
as one of 2006’s “Ten Most Influential People in
the Concrete Industry.” Weber was applauded for his efforts
in marketing and promoting cement-based building systems and
products for the residential construction industry.
Concrete Construction lists the creation of National
Association of Home Builders’ (NAHB) Concrete Home Building
Council to promote the use of residential concrete and the fact
that since 2004, every The New American Home, NAHB's official
show home, has had a significant concrete aspect as two of Weber’s
accomplishments for the industry.
Weber and the other influencers will be recognized at a private
reception on January 24 at World of Concrete.
More
at www.concreteconstruction.net
Contact Mike Weber
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Burton, Giroux Take on Expanded
Roles
The Cement Association of Canada
(CAC) has named Michael Giroux to the position of vice president,
market/technical affairs and corporate services. In addition
to his current responsibilities for marketing programs and technical
services, Giroux will assume responsibility for financial and
human resources at CAC. Giroux previously served as vice president,
national office.
Angela Burton was named vice president, industry and public
affairs. Burton will oversee industry interests relating to
cement manufacturing and monitor government legislation, policies,
and programs. She previously served as director government affairs
for CAC.
Contact Michael
Giroux or Angela Burton
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PCA Honors Concrete
Technology Advisory Council
PCA recently honored members of the first
Concrete Technology Advisory Council, a group of industry
experts assembled to provide guidance and direction to codes
and standards issues.
The council members serving from 2003 to 2006 include:
- Robert E. Bachman, R.E. Bachman Consulting
Structural Engineers
- Robert F. Mast, Berger/Abam Engineers, Inc.
- Chris V. Tokas, Office of Statewide Health
Planning and Development
- Raymond Bligh, Watry Design Inc.
- Thomas D. Verti, Charles Pankow Builders,
Ltd.
- Nicholas J. Carino (retired), National Institute
of Standards Technology
- Sharon L. Wood, University of Texas
- Anthony E. Fiorato, Construction Technology
Laboratories, Inc;
- Robert J. Frosch, Purdue University
- S.K. Ghosh (Chair), S.K. Ghosh Associates,
Inc.
- Jacob S. Grossman, Rosenwasser/Grossman Consulting
Engineers
- James R. Harris, J. R. Harris & Company
The work of this group has particularly
been appreciated during the formative years of the Council,
says PCA's Steve Szoke, who coordinates its meetings, activities,
and membership. Several new members have agreed to serve on
the Council: Neil Hawkins, consultant; Ron Cook, University
of Florida; and Andy Taylor, KPFF Consulting Engineers.
Contact
Steve Szoke
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PCA Supports Red
Cross Mitigation Seminars: Concrete systems
were well represented at a Wind Mitigation Seminar held on
December 7 in Aurora, Ill. Jim Niehoff of PCA’s residential
department gave an overview of concrete wall systems to an
audience of more than 30 municipal and code officials, engineers
and architects. Dan Kolb of Prestress Engineering Corp, a
PCI member, gave a detailed talk about using precast technology
for single and multi-family housing. The Aurora event was
part of an ongoing series of educational seminars in Illinois
that discuss various techniques and materials that can be
used to increase disaster-resistance in new home construction.
The primary sponsors for the series are the American Red Cross
and the Illinois Emergency Management Agency.
More at www.safehomeillinois.org
Contact Jim Niehoff
NYC Symposium Raises Roof on
Floor System: PCA and the New York City Concrete
Promotion Council conducted the fifth building symposium on
November 30, which attracted 85 decision makers including developers,
construction managers, structural engineers, and architects.
The symposium focused on a new innovative design for a conventional
long-span concrete floor system developed by PCA and Severud
designed to provide a competitive floor system for Class-A concrete
office buildings. As a result of this event, a major construction
manager in New York is considering this floor system for a new
office building in Manhattan. The systems can provide 45-foot
clear spans (standard in Class-A office buildings) while lowering
the floor-to-floor height by nearly two feet.
Contact
Mike Mota
Dealing with Multihazard Design
of Concrete Buildings:
PCA's David Bilow and Mike
Mota were invited by the Structural Engineers Association
of New York to present "Multihazard Design of Concrete
Buildings." The event took place at the Center for Architecture
in lower Manhattan and attracted 49 structural engineers and
architects. Bilow discussed progressive collapse and blast
design of concrete buildings and Mota provided an overview
of the code requirements for hazards such as earthquakes,
floods, wind, and fire.
Contact
Mike Mota
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Results from
Last Week:
Egyptians Lacked Concrete Know-How
A Drexel University study concludes
that the Great Pyramids of Egypt are made of cast concrete
blocks rather than cut limestone. What do you think?
Responses (percent)
- Concrete blocks 31 (36.90%)
- Limestone 53 (63.10%)
Notable comments:
"May have lacked the technology to pyroprocess the limestone
into cement."
"Impossible since the limestone of a nearby quarry in
the Tourha area in Cairo under microscope is the same as the
pyramid's stone."
"Other scientists have found human hair within these
cast stones in South America. Go do your research. Tests involving
moving stones with ropes and tree trunks continue to prove
existing theories wrong. This is a case where science is trying
to prove the world is flat."
"They would have had to use steel forms to get the joints
between the blocks as tight as they are. Where are the forms?"
Take
the current PCA poll
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PCA's education and
training group will conduct the following courses at PCA's Skokie,
Ill., facility. Customized and off-site courses are also available.
For more information or to register, contact Julie
Lisiecki.
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Concrete:
Principles & Practices
February 12-15, 2007 |
Aggregates
and Chemical Admixtures for Use in Concrete
March 5-6, 2007 |
SCMs
and Ternary Blends in Concrete
March 7-8, 2007
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| Troubleshooting:
Solutions to Concrete Field Problems
March 19-21, 2007
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Mill
Grinding
March 19-21, 2007 |
Kiln
Process
March 26-29, 2007 |
Cement
and Concrete Overview
April 16-17, 2007
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Register
Free Online
Las Vegas, Nevada
Exhibits: January 23-26
Seminars: January 22-26
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National Concrete Masonry Association Annual
Convention
February 20-24, 2007
Orlando, Fla.
More
information
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Manufactured
Concrete Products Exposition
February 22-24, 2007
Orlando, Fla.
More
information
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Hardscape North
America
March 7-10, 2007
Nashville, Tenn.
More
Information |
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Executive Report is distributed free of charge to members
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the cement, concrete, and construction industries.
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5420 Old Orchard Rd.
Skokie, Illinois 60077
847.966.6200 info@cement.org
500 New Jersey Ave. N.W.
7th Floor
Washington, D.C. 20001
202.408.9494 fax 202.408.0877 |
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©2006 Portland Cement Association
All rights reserved
The Portland Cement Association conducts market development,
research, education, and government affairs work on behalf
of
its members—cement companies in the United States and Canada.
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