Concrete Pioneer Oscar Niemeyer Turns 100

Oscar Niemeyer, one of the most influential concrete architects of the twentieth century, turned 100 years old on December 15, 2007.

The innovative Brazilian architect elevated the use of reinforced concrete structures to become a part of dramatic architectural expression. His signature flowing curves created lasting impressions influencing many of today’s significant architects.

Niemeyer’s crowning achievement, between 1956 and 1964, is the design of all of the major public buildings for Brazil’s futuristic capital city, Brasília. Niemeyer sought to impress Brasília’s visitors and symbolize the cultural and technical progress of modern Brazil. The many modernist concrete buildings of Brasília resemble huge sculptures with simplified forms and little ornamental detailing. The Cathedral of Brasilia is pictured.

Additional Pervious Concrete Seminars Scheduled

PCA and the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association have teamed with Land Development Today magazine to continue their successful series of regional pervious concrete seminars.

The course is ideal for civil engineers, architects, and landscape architects looking for the necessary project specifications for pervious concrete pavement systems.  Each session provides detailed instruction on how to implement pervious concrete pavements as a solution for reducing stormwater runoff from building sites and other paved areas. 

Attendees will learn the details of the systems, engineering properties, and construction techniques. 

Attendees will earn 6.0 Professional Development Hours and the seminar is registered with AIA Continuing Education System.
To register, call 888.388.8787 or visit www.ldbreakthroughs.com.

Free Downloads Available of Pervious Design Handbook

As stormwater management systems increasingly focus on using strategies that emphasize conservation and use of on-site natural features, pervious concrete pavements are becoming a popular solution. In fact, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) recognizes the system as a best practice for stormwater management.

To enable designers and specifiers access to the latest information, PCA will offer free downloads of the PDF version of Hydrologic Design of Pervious Concrete until March 31.  This manual, normally available for $30 from the PCA bookstore, provides an overview and discussion of hydrologic design techniques. 

 It is ideal for civil engineers, landscape architects, and other design professionals seeking guidance in the selection and design of an appropriate pervious concrete pavement system. It can also aid permit granting agencies in the review and acceptance of proposed pavement systems. 
To download the publication, visit the PCA Bookstore. 

Soil-Cement and RCC Seminar for Water Resources

Experts will present the newest information on soil-cement and RCC applications for water resources projects at a seminar in Dallas on February 13, 2008.  Conference leaders will discuss specifications, construction means and methods, quality control, case studies, and more. Owners, regulators, and other individuals involved in the design, construction, and/or maintenance of dams, levees, erosion control structures, and other water resources projects are encouraged to attend.

The Portland Cement Association, KBR, Inc., and the Cement Council of Texas are cosponsoring the seminar.

Registration for the seminar is free and is available on a first-come, first-served basis.
To register, contact Mr. Baker Ashiwaya of KBR by February 4.
More information

2008 Environment and Energy Awards Still Being Accepted

There is still an opportunity to submit an entry for the 2008 Cement Industry Energy and Environment Awards Program. Sponsored by PCA and Cement Americas magazine, the program is open to cement manufacturing plants in North America. A panel of independent judges awards recognizes projects and activities from January through December 2007.

Plants are honored in six categories: environmental performance, land stewardship, outreach, innovation, energy efficiency, and overall environmental excellence.

The deadline for entries is Wednesday, March 1, 2008.
Contact Tom Carter or Donna Wortman.

Concrete Technology Forum Focuses on Sustainable Development

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association is sponsoring the Third Annual Concrete Technology Forum: Focus on Sustainable Development scheduled for May 20-22 in Denver. The symposium will bring researchers and practitioners together to discuss the latest advances, technical knowledge, continuing research, tools, and solutions for concrete and sustainable development.

More than 50 technical sessions on state-of-the-art developments, new construction techniques and product formulations that optimize environmental performance of concrete construction will be presented including:

1. Pervious Concrete Systems
2. Concrete’s Impact on Urban Heat Islands
3. The Carbon Footprint of Concrete
4. Sustainable Development Initiatives
5. Optimizing Recycled Content

PCA is a cosponsor of the event.
More at www.ConcreteTechnologyForum.org

The Masonry Society Announces the 20th Annual University Professors’ Masonry Workshop

Registration is still available for The Masonry Society’s University Professors’ Masonry Workshop (UPMW), March 27-29 at Drexel University in Philadelphia.

Co-sponsored by PCA, the UPMW is an excellent forum for professors new to masonry education and for those who want to enhance existing masonry courses. The two-day workshop provides resources, ideas, and contacts to about 50 professors each year. Tracks on engineering, architecture, and construction management are offered.
For more information, visit http://www.masonrysociety.org/.