RCC Dam to Provide a Reliable Drinking Water Source

Elkwater Fork Dam is a new roller-compacted concrete (RCC) gravity dam designed to provide a reliable source of drinking water to the 21,500 residents in Elkins, W.V. and surrounding communities.

Randolph County has an annual precipitation of nearly 60 inches, making the area an ideal location for a 54-acre water supply reservoir. 

At 128-feet high and having a total length of 670 feet, the Elkwater Fork Dam contains 131,900 cubic yards of RCC. Additionally, the upstream face of the dam is formed with 6-foot high by 16-foot long precast concrete panels. Its downstream face is formed with 2-foot high steps constructed with conventional concrete placed concurrently with the RCC within the spillway.

Design of the project began in 2001 with the initiation of construction occurring in 2006. The RCC placement was completed in 2007 and the project, including installation of the grout curtain, is scheduled to be completed this month. The filling of the reservoir is planned to begin in the fall of 2008.

Gannett Fleming, Inc., of Harrisburg, Pa., completed the design of the project and Heeter Construction Company, Spencer, W.V., was the prime construction contractor. The project has been managed by the Natural Resources Conservation Service in Morgantown, W.V.
Contact Fares Abdo

June PPI: Steel, Asphalt Continue to Rise

Steel prices from May to June grew for the eighth consecutive month, with a significant increase of 8.1%, according to the Producer Price Index (PPI). (Click on graph to enlarge.)

Asphalt prices also had a sharp increase, with a 6.7% change.  Lumber prices rose slightly, by 0.9% from May to June.  Concrete prices increased minimally as well, with a 0.7% percent change.

During the last year, steel prices have increased 30.4%, asphalt prices have grown 17%, and concrete prices by 3.8%.  Lumber prices have declined by 3.6%.

Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics. PCA provides this information to aid in the promotion of concrete and cement-based products.
Contact Craig Schulz

Bernard Terver Appointed CEO of Holcim (US)

Holcim Ltd. announced last week today that it has appointed Bernard Terver as chief executive officer of Holcim (US), effective October 1, 2008. 

Current CEO Patrick Dolberg was appointed to the Executive Committee of Holcim Ltd., and will assume responsibilities for Belgium, France, the Netherlands, Germany, Switzerland and Italy.  In addition, he will have functional responsibility for Cement Manufacturing Services.

Terver is currently Holcim’s area manager for Argentina, Chile, the Andes nations and parts of Central America.   In 1999, he was appointed CEO of Holcim Colombia and was CEO of Holcim Venezuela before assuming the role of area manager.

Terver earned his degree from the Ecole Polytechnique in Paris.  In 1977, after beginning his career in the steel industry, Terver moved to French cement manufacturer CEDEST where he served in roles of increasing responsibility, including head of the cement division and overseas activities.

Dolberg joined the Holcim Group in 1991.  He was appointed CEO of St. Lawrence Cement at the end of 1998 and has been CEO of Holcim US since March 2003.

Lafarge Plans to Make Ravena Plant Most Advanced Facility in the State

Lafarge has begun the regulatory permitting process to modernize its Ravena, N.Y., plant.  The project would replace the existing 46-year-old cement plant’s equipment with leading-edge cement manufacturing technology.

The upgrade would:

> Use state-of-the-art technology to improve fuel efficiency and enhance environmental protection

> Help ensure the long-term future of the Ravena plant in Albany County

> Provide a significant economic benefit to the local community

To move forward, the proposed project requires regulatory approval at the state and federal levels in addition to conducting necessary advanced studies in order to receive approval from Lafarge’s board.

If confirmed, the upgrade would start in 2013.

GCC Starts Production at New Pueblo Plant

A new cement plant being built by Grupo Cementos de Chihuahua (GCC) in Pueblo, Colo., started operations last week.

The $300 million new plant with be GCC’s most technologically advanced and be the most energy efficient one in the company.  It will have a clinker capacity of 900,000 metric tons and employ about 95 people.

Cement produced in Pueblo is expected to supply markets in New Mexico, Wyoming, and South Dakota.

Concrete Ideas for Undergrad Programs

Portland Cement Association and the Center for Advanced Cement Based Materials (ACBM) conducted a undergraduate faculty enhancement workshop on July 14-16, 2008 at the PCA facilities in Skokie, Ill. The three-day workshop, entitled "Teaching the Materials Science, Engineering, and Field Aspects of Concrete," provided undergraduate faculty from across the country an opportunity to learn the most recent advances in concrete technology, develop teaching methods and lab demonstrations, and communicate with colleagues.

Some of the leading researchers and educators in the country taught sessions, including Jason Weiss, Purdue University; Michael Thomas, University of New Brunswick; Maria Juenger, The University of Texas at Austin; and Anton Schindler, Auburn University.

The objective of the seminar is to advance the development of tomorrow’s researchers and industry leaders by providing educational materials and resources to undergraduate programs.
More on PCA's University Outreach Program.