Concrete Overlays Get Traction in Minnesota

The Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) has embraced innovation and the use of concrete overlay technology in specifying this application for thirteen separate projects in 2009.  The overlay projects are part of both MnDOT's regular program and from federal stimulus funding.

A number of the jobs are non-traditional five- and six-inch thicknesses. 

The Concrete Paving Association of Minnesota in conjunction with PCA-North Central have worked diligently to inform legislators and MnDOT about the advantages of longer lasting, economical concrete overlays.  Those efforts achieved the passage of pavement life-cycle cost analysis legislation in 2008 and the inclusion of concrete in MnDOT's maintenance and preservation program. 

In 2009 Minnesota state, county, and municipal markets for concrete pavements will exceed 4 million square yards.  Concrete pavements will garner 42% of MnDOT's federal stimulus paving dollars during the 2009-2010 program period.
Contact Doug Burns

Washington Ad Campaign Builds
on Durability, Economy

PCA launched a targeted advertising campaign last week to reach Washington, D.C., decision-makers. The goal is to remind Congress and the Administration who we are, the value of our products to the nation and society, and that the cement industry is well positioned to support the goals of climate change legislation, regulatory initiatives, and transportation legislation.

A combination of print and Web banner ads run from July 23-30 in Roll Call, The Hill, Weekly Standard, and Politico.
View or download a copy of the print ad (PDF)

Congress Extends Transportation Funding

The Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee approved a “clean” 18-month extension of the surface transportation law, following the Obama Administration’s lead to delay action on a six-year authorization bill.

The draft extension bill authorizes $41 billion in FY 2010 and $20.5 billion in FY 2011 for highway programs, for which the EPW Committee has jurisdiction.  The Senate Banking and Commerce Committees have jurisdiction over transit and safety issues, respectively, but have not yet taken action to extend these programs.  The extension of these programs as well as a Senate Finance Committee package providing for a $20 billion bailout of the Highway Trust Fund will be merged with the EPW-passed legislation during Senate floor consideration. 

Meanwhile, the House is working on a multi-year funding bill and bailout of the nearly bankrupt Highway Trust Fund. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair Jim Oberstar (D-Minn.) is continuing to press forward with a multi-year bill.  Oberstar is working with the Ways and Means Committee and House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) to move a  $7.3 billion, stand-alone general fund bailout of the Highway Trust Fund by July 31 to address the immediate funding crisis.  The Highway Trust Fund is projected to run out of money by mid-August.
Contact David Hubbard

Recycling Concrete: Towards “Zero Landfill”

According to a new report by the Cement Sustainability Initiative (CSI) of the World Business Council for Sustainable Development (WBCSD) recycling concrete reduces natural resource exploitation and waste going to landfill.

The report challenges an ultimate goal of “zero landfill” of concrete.

The recovery of concrete falls between standard definitions of reuse and recycling: concrete is broken down into aggregates, generally to be used in road works, but also as aggregates in new concrete. Recovering concrete has two main advantages: it reduces the use of new virgin aggregate and the associated environmental costs of exploitation and transportation, and it reduces landfill of valuable materials.

Global data on concrete waste generation is not available, but data is collected in some countries, e.g. the USA, Japan, and European countries where approximately 900 million tons of construction and demolition waste (containing between 20% and 80% concrete) are generated yearly.

Two-day Professor Workshop Presented Latest Advances in Concrete Technology

PCA and the Center for Advanced Cement Based Materials (ACBM) conducted an undergraduate faculty enhancement workshop on July 13-14, 2009 at the PCA headquarters in  Skokie, Ill.  The two-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; Ken Hover, Cornell University; 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.
Contact Nathaniel Mohler

From Sidewalks to Skyscrapers

The Chicago Museum of Science and Industry, PCA, and CTLGroup have joined forces to develop a community outreach program to encourage young minds to study math, science, and engineering.  On Saturday July 18, PCA and CTLGroup hosted a special Science Saturday event entitled “From Sidewalks to Skyscrapers”.

This interactive program incorporates live demonstrations, including breaking concrete beams, intended to help individuals discover the building materials used all around us.  The sold-out event provided a dynamic experience for 9 to 90-year-olds. 

The presentation and laboratory tour explored the following topics:
> How structural materials are selected and utilized
> Sustainable development (“Green” buildings)
> How buildings are designed to resist wind and earthquake forces
> Testing of building materials
> High-rise building design

One of the 11-year-old participants commented, “I want to be an architect and this has just fueled my motivation.”  A Girl Scout chimed in, “I had an amazing time.”
Contact Larry Novak