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This Week in the Ready Mixed
Concrete Industry for May 14, 2012
IN THIS ISSUE:
NEWS LINKS
North Dakota Senator Predicts Highway
Bill Passage by June 30
Concrete Plays Major Role in Nebraska
Wind Farm Project
South Carolina Wind Turbine Testing
Facility Site of Large Pour
South Dakota City Officials Pleased
with Pervious Project
PROMOTION
Colorado Promotion Blitz Focus on
Parking Lots, Streets and Local Roads
Specifier-Focused Webinars Highlight
Benefits of Concrete Parking Lots
Upcoming Webinar Focuses on Streets
and Local Roads
ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS
Foundation’s Walk for Sustainability a
Resounding Success
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
Free Energy Star Webinar Set for May
24
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability Conference Integrates
Cutting Edge Research with Practical Applications
NRMCA Testifies at Building Code
Development Hearings in Dallas
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
NRMCA Advocacy News Roundup Updated
Through May 11
EDUCATION &TRAINING
May 22 Webinar Focuses on Strategies
to Rebuild Ready Mix Business
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
May Internet Spotlight is
Environmental Management Manual
CALENDAR
A Look Ahead
NEWS LINKS
North Dakota Senator Predicts Highway Bill Passage by June 30
There might be light at the end of a long, dark tunnel that
represents the prospects of passing a highway funding bill. Sen.
John Hoeven (R-ND) predicts that the House and Senate will agree
on a long-term surface transportation bill by June 30, when
current funding runs out. The member of a House-Senate highway
bill conference committee said passage is tied to the
controversial Keystone XL pipeline. The House has passed its
highway bill, which authorizes programs through September.
Source: A May 12 entry from The Hill's transportation blog,
which was included in the May 14 AGC SmartBrief e-newsletter.
Read more.
Concrete Plays Major Role in Nebraska Wind Farm Project
Construction of a 50-turbine wind farm in Nebraska will use
massive amounts of concrete for the turbines' foundations,
pedestals and roads leading to the farm. Concrete foundations
are 8 feet deep and 56 feet across and shaped like an octagon.
Circular pedestals sit 3 feet deep into the foundation and are
14 feet around. In all, a single turbine requires 750,000 pounds
of concrete to support it, along with 46,000 pounds of steel.
Source: May 12 Kearney (NE) Hub article which was contained in
the May 15 AGC SmartBrief e-newsletter.
Read more.
South Carolina Wind Turbine Testing Facility Site of Large Pour
Last week, Minnesota's Mayo Clinic was the site of a large
concrete pour. This week, we travel to South Carolina, where a
lengthy line of mixer trucks placed tons of concrete to lay the
foundation of Clemson University’s Wind Turbine Drivetrain
Testing Facility. How much concrete? Well, the local NBC
television news affiliate, WCBD, came up with a few novel
descriptions in its May 11 report.
Read more here (the link also includes a video link to the
testing facility).
South Dakota
City Officials Pleased with Pervious Project
A few months ago here in E-NEWS, we reported on a Rapid City,
SD, pervious concrete project. A couple of months later,
construction workers placed a 1,100-square-foot section of
sidewalk at a local park. City officials acknowledge that that
mixture is more costly than conventional ready mixed concrete,
but cited reducing stormwater runoff as worth the extra dollars.
Source: May 9 article in the Rapid City Journal.
Read more.
PROMOTION
Colorado
Promotion Blitz Focus on Parking Lots, Streets and Local Roads
A week of promotion in Western Colorado in April, coordinated by
Ed Bush of the Colorado Ready Mixed Concrete Association,
brought NRMCA to a large group of people in a short amount of
time, reports Jon Hansen, senior national resource director.
Three seminars involved NRMCA producer members and their
contractor customers who learned about parking lot and street
paving opportunities and support for local efforts utilizing
NRMCA Design Assistance Programs (DAP) for parking lots and
streets and local roads (SLR). Also covered was updated
information on National Account clients and how NRMCA works to
deliver concrete parking lot opportunities to local members.
A fourth seminar on SLR renovation methods using concrete
overlays was presented at the annual meeting of the Colorado
Chapter of American Public Works Association (APWA) in Grand
Junction, CO. In all, NRMCA programs that support local markets
were presented to an audience of over 120 people during the
week, Hansen said.
For more information contact Jon Hansen at
jhansen@nrmca.org.
Specifier-Focused Webinars Highlight Benefits of Concrete
Parking Lots
On Tuesday, June 5, NRMCA Senior Director of National Resources
Phil Kresge will host "The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete
Parking Lots" Webinar. This program provides an introduction to
concrete parking lots and is targeted toward owners, designers,
specifiers and other decision-makers. Attendees will learn the
benefits of using concrete for parking lots, including design,
low maintenance and safety. Additionally, the economical and
environmental advantages of concrete parking lots and their role
in sustainable development will be discussed. Special focus will
be given to the reflective benefits of concrete pavement with
regard to heat island mitigation and lighting requirements.
Attendees will also learn about other concrete alternatives such
as concrete overlays and pervious concrete.
When designing, constructing or proposing a concrete parking
lot, there is just one standard that should be followed: ACI
330R-08 – Guide for the Design and Construction of Concrete
Parking Lots. On Thursday, June 7, NRMCA Senior Director of
National Resources Amy Miller, P.E., will host "ACI 330R-08: The
Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design." This Webinar
discusses the basis of the design guide, gives an overview of
the sections of the guide and, most importantly, compares and
reviews other commonly used design procedures to that of ACI 330
R-08. Upon participating, an attendee should feel confident that
the best option for designing, constructing and testing of a
concrete parking lot is encompassed within ACI 330R-08. Single
copies of both ACI 330 R-08 (Guide for Design and
Construction of Concrete Parking Lots) and ACI 330.1-03
(Specification for Un-Reinforced Concrete Parking Lots) will
be provided free with each paid Webinar.
NRMCA State Affiliates and members are encouraged to use these
Webinars as an opportunity to interact with designers and
specifiers within their regions. "Several of our affiliates have
had great success hosting these Webinars in conjunction with a
lunch and learn at an engineer’s office," Kresge said. "By doing
so, they get the benefit of a presentation by NRMCA Concrete
Resource Team members, each with a very strong knowledge of
concrete and an average of more than 20 years of construction
industry experience."
Architects and engineers earn one Professional Development Hour
(PDH) upon completion of each of these programs. The seminars
are also registered with the American Institute of Architects
Continuing Education Systems and AIA attendees will receive one
Learning Unit (LU) upon completion.
Click here to register or for more information on these or
other Webinars in the NRMCA Specifier Webinar Series. You may
also contact Phil Kresge at
pkresge@nrmca.org or Amy Miller at
amiller@nrmca.org.
Upcoming
Webinar Focuses on Streets and Local Roads
NRMCA's national resource directors have one upcoming Webinar
scheduled, so be sure to click on the link below for more
information or contact NRMCA's Jessica Walgenbach at
jwalgenbach@nrmca.org.
ASSOCIATION & INDUSTRY NEWS
Foundation’s
Walk for Sustainability a Resounding Success
Last week, the RMC Research & Education Foundation held its 2nd
Annual Walk for Sustainability in Seattle, raising over $9,500
to benefit the Foundation. Over 30 walkers braved the chilly,
early-morning Seattle air to join in the 5K that ran along the
Puget Sound and passed by several Seattle sites and sustainable
development landmarks, such as LEED-certified buildings.
The Foundation would particularly like to thank Mike Philipps,
who raised over $4,000 and garnered 42 supporters in his
grassroots efforts to benefit the Foundation. We would also like
to thank Terry Harris and Jessica Walgenbach for their
grassroots efforts on behalf of the Foundation. And a special
thanks to our sponsors, walkers and grassroots supporters who
helped to make the event a resounding success!
For more information about the work of the RMC Research &
Education Foundation, please visit
www.rmc-foundation.org.
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
Free Energy Star Webinar Set for May 24
NRMCA has teamed up with ENERGY STAR® to help concrete producers
save energy and money. Join us on Thursday, May 24, from 2-3:30
p.m. Eastern time for a briefing on how concrete producers can
save money and energy. Time will be available to ask questions
on these topics. It takes committed and supportive people to
help manage energy and save money. Unfortunately, people can
also make or break the success of a company’s efforts. Who are
the key people to engage in an energy program? How can you get
everyone moving in the same direction and motivate them to do
their part?
Part One of this Webinar will answer these questions and provide
tips on how to build an energy network to help you get the job
done. In Part Two, Titan America will share its study of how to
improve trucking fuel use, its findings and the improvements it
made. Plan now to attend. There is no charge, but you must
pre-register to participate.
Click here to pre-register for this Webinar. When the host
approves your attendance, you will receive a confirmation email
with instructions for joining the meeting. For more information,
contact NRMCA's Gary Mullings at
gmullings@nrmca.org.
SUSTAINABILITY
Sustainability Conference Integrates Cutting Edge Research with
Practical Applications
Nearly 200 attendees participated in NRMCA' s 7th annual
International Concrete Sustainability Conference held last week
in Seattle. Over 60 world-renowned experts presented the latest
developments related to design, specifying, manufacturing,
testing, construction, maintenance and research of concrete as
it relates to sustainability. Examples of key topics presented
at the conference include:
• Dave
Robison, president and CEO of Delta Industries and chairman of
NRMCA, opened the conference with an overview of industry
progress toward meeting its sustainability goals.
• Denis Hayes,
president and CEO of Bullitt Foundation, national coordinator of
the first Earth Day and honorary chairman of the Earth Day
Network, presented a comprehensive and visionary view of
sustainability coupled with building industry leadership
demonstrated by the zero-carbon Cascadia Center in Seattle.
• Dr.
Franz-Josef Ulm, PhD, George Macomber Professor, Department of
Civil and Environmental Engineering at Massachusetts Institute
of Technology and director of the MIT Concrete Sustainability
Hub, discussed model-based life-cycle assessment for sustainable
engineering design.
• Dr. Michael
Lepech, PhD, assistant professor, Department of Civil and
Environmental Engineering at Stanford University, explored
"bendable concrete", a new class of high performance fiber
reinforced concrete that exhibits mechanical properties similar
to ductile metals.
Other topics included life cycle assessment, disaster
resilience, low impact development and green concrete. One of
the hottest topics at the conference was environmental product
declarations, a new concept for building product suppliers to
communicate their environmental footprint to decision makers.
Examples include:
• Kathrina
Simonen, assistant professor in the Department of Architecture
at the University of Washington, presented Concrete Product
Category Rules: Technical Details and Industry Implementation.
• Nicholas
Santaro, senior consultant at PE International, presented
Creating Value from Sustainability: The Role of Environmental
Product Declarations.
• Mie Vold,
research engineer at Ostfold Research, presented Tool for
Generation of Environmental Product Declarations in the
Norwegian Concrete Industry.
A complete list of speakers and additional details about the
conference is available online at
www.concretesustainabilityconference.org.
NRMCA
Testifies at Building Code Development Hearings in Dallas
Along with industry allies, Tien Peng, NRMCA senior director of
sustainability, codes and standards at NRMCA, testified last
week at the International Building Code (IBC) hearings in Dallas
in support of proposals to enhance the disaster resilience of
buildings. There were mixed results from the industry
recommendations that aligned with the goals of the International
Code Council to enhance life safety of our built environment.
A proposal to included storm shelters for hurricane and tornado
prone regions was approved. However, the majority of recommended
changes to increase fire, wind, snow load and flood criteria for
most buildings were ultimately disapproved. Although the
proposed comprehensive inclusion of enhanced design requirements
in the Appendix and in the main body of the Code was rejected
due to "initial cost considerations", the Code Committee did
support the intent of the proposals. The concrete industry code
activities are a part of a sustained effort to integrate
resilient construction requirements into the model building code
that can then be adopted by state and local jurisdictions.
Although the concrete industry was not successful in having the
IBC adopt disaster resilience standards, it continues to pursue
changes at the local level. Local jurisdictions often adopt
modifications to building codes to address potential hazards in
their region. NRMCA, along with other industry partners, are
delivering a series of workshops to engage local stakeholders in
adopting disaster resilience criteria.
For more information on the International Code Council
development cycle, go to
www.iccsafe.org or contact Tien Peng at 206-913-8535 or
tpeng@nrmca.org.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
NRMCA Advocacy News Roundup Updated Through May 11
To read government affairs-related stories that relate to the
ready mixed concrete industry for the week of May 7-11, please
click here.
If you would like to receive this weekly updated link in a
separate e-mail, or if you have questions or comments about the
roundup, contact NRMCA’s Kevin Walgenbach at
kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.
EDUCATION &TRAINING
May 22 Webinar Focuses on Strategies to Rebuild Ready Mix
Business
On Tuesday, May 22, NRMCA will conduct Re-Entrepreneuring, 7
Strategies for Rebuilding Your Ready Mix Business in the New
Economy, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern Time. The glimpses
of hope for an economic recovery offer ready mix producers an
unprecedented opportunity to rebuild and reshape their
businesses to succeed in the emerging 21st century economy. As
the market improves, it won’t be/can’t be business as usual -
not only has the competitive landscape changed, but so have
customers and their expectations.
As producers begin the process of rehiring and rebuilding
operations, there is an opportunity to "re-entrepreneur," that
is to "start from scratch," by fundamentally reshaping their
companies for the new marketplace. Learn How To:
1. Take a fresh view of your market and not rely on the past as
you plan your business.
2. Redefine your market niche – find your new sweet spot for
success.
3. Learn the real needs and expectations of your "new
customer".
4. Create new value propositions to power your sales.
5. Build an organization that can deliver Value (not just
concrete).
6. Rethink what makes a great employee and where you can find
them.
7. Create a culture of "success".
Click here for more information, including registration
options, or contact Jessica Walgenbach at 888-846-7622, ext.
1152.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
May Internet
Spotlight is Environmental Management Manual
The NRMCA May Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, June 5,
is the Environmental Management for the RMC Industry
manual. This document outlines best industry practices for water
management, air quality management, admixture, chemical and fuel
storage issues, noise management, hazardous waste management,
best management practice for fleet maintenance shops, plant
aesthetics, plant closures, environmental security and
sustainability issues. The publication also describes the
organizational makeup of regulatory bodies (Environmental
Protection Agency and state and local environmental departments)
that govern the ready mixed concrete industry and describes
agency inspection and tips for preparation of EPA audits.
Order online today and receive 20% off. Regular member price
is $75, Internet Special is $60, plus shipping. Please use
Discount Code ISMAY12 to receive the online discount.
CALENDAR
A Look Ahead
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed
below can be accessed from NRMCA's
Web site.
May 17, Louisville, KY
Implementing Disaster Resilient Construction In Your Community
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
May 17, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
May 22, Webinar
Re-Entrepreneuring
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
May 23, Nashua, NH
Handling Concrete Specifications, Low Strength Problems and
Mixture Submittals
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
May 29, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
May 29, Webinar (Part 2 on June 5)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
May 30, Portsmouth, NH
Implementing Disaster Resilient Construction In Your Community
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
June 5, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
June 6, Webinar
Effectively Communicating Sustainability
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
June 6-8, Denver
Concrete Durability Course
Email: Karen Bean, 888-84-NRMCA, x1168
June 7, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
June 25-28, Online Course
Concrete's Role in Sustainable Development
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
June 28, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 3, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 3, Webinar (Part 2 on July 10)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 10, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 16-19, Online Course
Building Green with Concrete
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
July 26, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 – The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
July 26, Acme, MI
Slabs: We've Got You Covered
Contact: Concrete Foundations Association's Ed Sauter,
esauter@cfawalls.org
August 6-9, Online Course
Pervious Concrete—A Stormwater Solution
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
August 9, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 14, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 14, Webinar (Part 2 on August 21)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 14-17, Silver Spring, MD
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
August 21, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
August 27-30, Online Course
Design of Concrete Pavements
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
September 4, Webinar
Introduction to Concrete Pavement Analyst Software
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 4, Webinar (Part 2 on September 11)
Designing & Specifying Pervious Concrete
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 11, Webinar
The Quantifiable Advantages of Concrete Parking Lots
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 16-19, Metro Washington, DC
2012 NRMCA’s ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors Meeting
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
September 20, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
October 2-5, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module I: Concrete 101
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
November 1, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
November 5-9, Silver Spring, MD
Technical Short Course
Email: Karen Bean, 888-84-NRMCA, x1168
November 13-15, Silver Spring, MD
Effective RMC Supervisor Certification
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
December 4-6, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
December 4-6, Orlando, FL
Environmental Professional Certification Course for the Ready
Mixed Concrete Industry
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
December 11-14, Denver
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
2013
February 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
March 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Sales Fundamentals
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
May 12-15, Chicago
Fifth North American Conference on Design and Use of
Self-Consolidating Concrete
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