Innovations E-Newsletter

Sibley Bridge (UPDATE)
Canaan, ME

BRIDGE OPEN TO PUBLIC — 10-1/2 MONTHS AHEAD OF SCHEDULED COMPLETION. The 10 span 790 ft long Sibley Pond Bridge with integral abutments and with only one expansion joint in the middle of the bridge was opened to traffic on November 21, 2011; before winter and approximately 10-1/2 months ahead of the MaineDOT’s scheduled project completion of October 2012. The bridge was designed and completed in 15 months.

Accelerated Bridge Construction — Experience in Design, Fabrication and Erection of Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems Final Manual

This manual has been developed for the purposes of enhancing the use of Prefabricated Bridge Elements and Systems (PBES) as part of accelerated construction projects. FHWA continues to focus on a need to create awareness, inform, educate, train, assist and entice State DOT’s and their staff in the use of rapid construction techniques.

Users of this manual will be able to perform the following tasks:

• Understand the different types of ABC technologies that are in use today
• Understand the various types of prefabricated elements used in bridges
• Assess specific sites for the most appropriate ABC technology for the project
• Plan and implement an accelerated bridge construction program using PBES.
• Understand the construction aspects of PBES projects.
• Understand the long-term durability of bridges built with PBES

Online as a free download at:
www.fhwa.dot.gov/bridge/abc/.

New Lunch and Learn Offered
Precast and Higher Ed Applications

Sign up for the new AIA NCEES approved presentation on Precast Applications for Higher Education. PCI will provide over $300 of complimentary literature for your library.

This presentation helps the designer understand precast building systems and products that can be used in College University applications. Precast concrete components including hollow-core plank, architectural panels, and high performance insulated wall panels have been long viewed as a durable method in building construction. Proper detailing and specifying precast will be reviewed along with topics such as acoustical considerations; fire and energy efficiency. Presentations conducted at noontime include a complimentary lunch.

Length: 1.0 Hour | Credits: AIA 1.0 HSW LU | PDH: 1.0

PCI & Sika Announces 2012 Big Beam Contest/Begins August 15

PCI has announced competition guidelines for the 2011-12 Big Beam Contest. Each student team must work with a PCI Producer Member to build a precast-prestressed concrete beam which is 18 ft. long and tested as a 16 foot span. The beams will be tested and prizes awarded for best performance in the stated areas. Students must discuss both the structural design and the concrete mix design for the beam. Note: The loading pattern is changed for 2011-12.

The contest begins August 15, 2011 and ends June 15, 2012. All beams must be fabricated and tested within this time frame. Results are due by June 15, 2012 at PCI Headquarters.

Thanks to Sika for sponsoring the PCI Big Beam Contest.

PCI 2012 Convention Call for Papers / Feb 6th Abstract Deadline

In today’s challenging economy, precast concrete continues to grow as the material of choice for transportation, commercial, institutional, manufacturing, parking, residential and many other types of structures.

The PCI Convention and National Bridge Conference is the premier international venue for the exchange of ideas and state-of-the-art information on precast concrete design, fabrication, and construction. On average, approximately 1000 engineers, precast producers, contractors, architects, suppliers, academics, researchers, officials, and students attend each year. The event provides an outstanding opportunity for networking, education, and sharing of ideas.

Abstracts may be submitted for peer-reviewed papers sessions or student posters (please see on the link below). Don’t miss out on this excellent opportunity to contribute to the precast concrete structures industry’s body of knowledge—submit your abstract today!

LEED 2012 Moving Toward a More Performance-Based Standard

Are you ready for a new, more technical LEED (Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design) rating system? The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is about to launch a third round of comments on proposed changes to their series of LEED sustainability ratings. The proposed changes will focus on increasing the technical rigor of the rating system and expanding the market sectors that are able to use LEED.

According to the USGBC, the proposed technical changes have been developed based on market data, stakeholder ideas, industry experts, and advances in technology and market acceptability of LEED and green building practices.

The USGBC has come under increasing criticism for the erratic energy performance of LEED certified buildings, and the often tenuous connection between building performance and LEED certification.

The USGBC says its LEED 2012 rating system, set to launch in November of next year, will contain important new features. To make sure buildings function as intended and improve over time:

Building owners will be required to report data on the building’s energy and water use, using real-time reporting technology; Owners of LEED-certified buildings will have to apply for re-certification every five years. “Our goal is to show that real leaders share data,” says Scott Horst, USGBC Senior Vice President of USGBC.

Pilot Sustainable Plant Program Launched

PCI officially launched the new Sustainable Plant Program at this year’s convention. The goal of this optional program is to improve the environmental impact at the manufacturing level while creating a culture of sustainability within the industry. The benefits of sustainable business practices are well documented. As the technical institute for the precast concrete industry in the United States, PCI is providing the tools and resources for its member plants to measure and implement changes that will have a measurable improvement in their environmental and economic performance. Please contact Dean Frank at dfrank@pci.org for more information or if your plant is interested in participating in the initial pilot program in 2012.

Parking Structure Snow Removal Guidelines Available — Free to PCI Members

In areas where winter weather affects the operation of a parking structure, removal of excess snow and ice is essential for functional performance, public safety, and durability. PCI would like to remind precast concrete producers with parking-structure customers of the snow-removal guidelines found in PCI’s Maintenance Manual for Precast Parking Structures, section 2.2. This section gives explicit details on snow and ice removal, including planning, proper equipment, chemical deicers, written procedures, and how-to instruction for snow-removal personnel. Producers looking to share this valuable information with their customers can find the section online as a free download at www.pci.org/publications/parking/

Ascent Magazine Subscribe to PCI's Ascent magazine (it's free!) or if you prefer read it online line.

PCI eLearning

PCI is proud to offer the first education management system dedicated to the precast concrete and precast structures industries, the PCI elearning Center. All courses offered through this system satisfy the continuing education requirements of engineers in all 50 states! As an AIA provider, PCI is able to offer architects approved Learning Units to satisfy their continuing education requirements. Be sure to bookmark us and visit often as we populate this interface with more and more free, easy-to-access, always-available coursework.

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