Stringless Slipform Technology for Concrete Overlays

Known for its innovation in concrete pavements, Iowa took another leap forward with the recent completion of two stringless slipform concrete overlay projects. Stringless technology, as the name implies, replaces the traditional stringline with an electronic tracking process that controls the horizontal and vertical operation of the slipform paver. The process eliminates the installation and maintenance of stringlines and can decrease surveying and increase smoothness.

Earlier this year a 9.5 mile-long, two-lane concrete overlay project was completed on route V-18 in Poweshiek County near Brooklyn. Building on its success, a second project is currently under construction on US-65 in Worth County near Mason City. It consists of a 10.5 mile, 32-feet wide, 5-inches thick unbonded overlay.

Stringless technology holds special potential for increasing the application of concrete overlays. Along with advancements in streamlined profiling of the existing pavement, it could significantly decrease the amount of surveying that is required prior to placing a concrete overlay. Iowa, and other states, have seen a dramatic increase recently in demand for concrete overlays due to spiking asphalt prices.

On September 2, an open house was held in Worth County, to illustrate the benefits of stringless technology and concrete overlays. More than 100 attendees representing state DOTs, FHWA, county engineers, contractors, consulting engineers, and equipment and material suppliers attended.
Contact Wayne Adaska

August PPI: Asphalt, Steel Up Sharply

Steel and asphalt prices rose sharply in August, reversing nearly a year of declines from record high levels,  according to the Department of Labor’s monthly Producer Price Index (PPI).

Steel prices rose 6.8% from July to August. Asphalt prices increased 2.9%, and lumber was up 1.7% for its third consecutive monthly increase. Concrete prices decreased by 0.7%.

Steel prices are down 36.1% over the record levels of one year ago. Over the same period, asphalt prices decreased 15.6%, lumber prices dropped by 8.1%, and concrete prices increased by 0.6%.

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

Task Groups to Address Government Affairs Issues

During its meeting last month in Chicago, the PCA Paving Committee established a political action work group that will concentrate on accelerating engagement in local government affairs to influence pavement selection with respect to the stimulus bill. These local government affairs efforts will mobilize cement industry executives along with their customers and promotion partners to engage influencers and decision makers. 

The committee also identified the  need to address opportunities represented in the new highway bill. A second task group has been formed to implement the strategies defined within the “Integrated Paving Solutions” strategy and set up a coordinated inter-association effort lead by PCA’s Washington, D.C. office.
Contact Mark Justman or John Prentice

Highway Measurement Project Moving Forward

PCA is making progress on its Highway Paving Measurement project. To date, analyses are available for 16 individual states. Each analysis shows data on a quarterly basis and includes total concrete measurements broken down by both dollars and cubic yards from 2003 to 2007.

The analysis isolates pavement concrete from non-pavement concrete items such as islands and medians. Concrete pavement rehabilitation measurements are also segregated, providing a clearer picture of where cement tonnage is being allocated in the paving process.

PCA will continue to add additional states to the collection and update the data to include 2008 and 2009 measurements. The goal is to produce and distribute a quarterly report illustrating the paving market throughout the U.S.
Contact Alpa Bagga

Concrete Thinking Course Prepares Industry

This year, more than 240 cement and concrete industry personnel attended Concrete Thinking for a Sustainable World at several regional venues. 

This course prepares cement and concrete professionals to understand the issues government officials, building owners, architects, and engineers are facing regarding sustainable development. It explores the sustainable initiatives our industry has already implemented and how to position and promote concrete to provide sustainable building solutions.

Additional classes are coming to the following locations:
> October 13—Chicago
> November 17—Phoenix
Register at www.cement.org
Contact David Shepherd

PCA Webinars Pour Out Knowledge—Next Session September 29

PCA’s Concrete Technology webinar series offers the knowledge of PCA’s cement and concrete experts without the need to travel and can be viewed on almost any computer.  The use of the Citrix Online® GoToWebinar® software gives participants the option to listen through the telephone or computer speakers using voice-over-internet protocol (VOIP).

The next webinar, Impact of Cement Characteristics on Concrete Properties, will take place September 29. This one-hour session explores the chemistry of portland cement and its interactions within concrete. 
More details and registration

Pavilion Anchors Concrete Presence at Public Works Show

A PCA-lead pavilion brought cement- and concrete products together in a central and prominent location for the 4,400 people attending the American Public Works Congress and Exposition in Columbus, Ohio, last week.

Joining PCA in the pavilion were the American Concrete Paving Association, the American Concrete Pipe Association, and several concrete-related materials and equipment suppliers. An overhead banner helped define the pavilion space, while advertisements in the program and the show edition of the APWA Reporter helped build booth traffic. PCA’s booth featured a pervious concrete display.

Presented annually by the American Public Works Association, the trade show features products, services, and forums for public works officials. The 2010 show is scheduled for August 15-18, 2010, in Boston, Mass.

If you are interested in exhibiting as part of the pavilion, several booth spaces are still available.
Contact Wayne Adaska

Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures Course Revised for Today's Concrete Technology

PCA has revised its industry standard course, Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures, to reflect recent advances in concrete technology. The new fast-paced 4-day program is available October 19-22 at the PCA Headquarters in Skokie, Ill.

Design and Control of Concrete Mixtures takes an in-depth look at our flagship publication of the same name.  Experts on each subject are brought in to explain in detail what we can expect from our concrete and how we can design mixtures for performance. 

This course combines classroom instruction, lab demonstrations, and hands-on training to help employees meet customer needs. In addition, a new session on troubleshooting has been added.

It is an excellent opportunity for those in the ready-mixed concrete industry who want to enhance their sales or marketing skills by knowing the fundamentals of concrete technology as well as a great introduction for personnel new to the technical service arena.
More details and registration

Stimulus Fund Letting Behind Schedule

According to the latest edition of PCA's U.S. Construction Pulse, letting of federal stimulus dollars for highways is behind schedule. Through July only 2.5% of all projects have been let. This level reflects a three-month delay. Of the 2.5% let, 40% occurred in the last two weeks of July.  This suggests accelerated activity for the rest of the year.  PCA is not optimistic the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act will have a significant impact on 2009 construction.

The U.S. Construction Pulse is designed to aid users in identifying emerging trends in the national construction industry.  The U.S. Construction Pulse contains data, analysis, and outlooks spanning residential, nonresidential, and public construction including subsector breakouts.
For more information contact the Economic Research Team