With a new institute president on board, a 50th anniversary observance around the corner, and a host of industry initiatives to choose from, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Chairman Michael E. Quinlan faces a full and challenging agenda. Since taking office Jan. 1, Quinlan, president of Gate Precast Co. in Jacksonville, Fla., is using his platform to leverage precast/prestressed concrete technology to expand industry markets.

“The theme I've chosen for my term is ‘Developing our technology and marketing our advantages,’” Quinlan tells Concrete Products. “The beauty of PCI is the combined strength developed from our technical and marketing activities. We act as a technical institute in terms of developing the industry, but also as a trade organization in promoting our product.”

PCI's strength, therefore, lies in the collaboration of its two factions, Quinlan emphasizes. “These comprise our trade association side, which has producers marketing to increase business,” he explains, “and our technical faculty, including the tremendous array of engineers and professionals who volunteer their time to develop the technical side of the industry. The combination of the two makes us really effective.”

One institute endeavor demonstrating the nexus of technology and marketing is PCI's Designer's Knowledge Bank. Technical information and manuals are being made available digitally through PCI's web site, via its password-protected “Designer's Knowledge Bank” technology-transfer portal.

“The DKB is a technology-transfer medium that allows our industry to post nearly everything we know in an electronic format,” Quinlan says. “A designer, architect or engineer who needs information can go directly into our database of research, publications and technical papers to find specific information. It's a wonderful tool for the designer.

“The DKB is ramping up at this point,” Quinlan tells Concrete Products. “Over the years we developed so many wonderful publications, but had fallen short on distribution. Now, with the distribution of books, CDs and the DKB on the web site, we have a much more efficient method of technology transfer to tell our story.”

A NEW PRESIDENT

Quinlan's tenure comes at an important time for PCI, as the group transitions to leadership under new president, James G. Toscas, P.E., former executive vice president of the American Concrete Institute (ACI, see sidebar, opposite page). As president of PCI, he follows Tom Battles, who retains the honorary title of president emeritus.

“Jim comes to us with great credentials,” Quinlan affirms. “He is an engineer by background, but also has extensive association management experience. He has terrific communication skills and is a good strategic thinker. He will fit in well and we expect him to take us to the next level.”

THE BIG FIVE 0

The institute looks forward to its golden anniversary next year. “We have a 50th anniversary ‘Fast Team’ that is making plans, and we probably will kick off our anniversary observance at our convention this fall,” Quinlan reports. Serving as chairman of the 50th anniversary observance is PCI Chairman-elect Fred Heldenfels of Texas-based Heldenfels Enterprises Inc.

One activity undertaken in honor of the occasion is a listing of the 50 most significant projects ever built using precast/prestressed concrete. PCI seeks those projects that have helped define its industry, and those that have changed the direction of concrete construction including engineering and architecture. Nominations may be made via an interactive form on PCI's web site at http://www.pci.org.

“We're also discussing the possibility of a National Precast Day, which might be celebrated simultaneously across the country,” Quinlan notes. “It may focus on plant tours and demonstrations, and bring students and professionals together. With 280 certified plants, it could be a very large promotion.”

PCI also contemplates partnering with the American Concrete Institute (ACI) as it marks its 100th anniversary in 2004. “We may participate in some of their activities to incorporate precast into their celebration.”

HOUSING, SECURITY MARKETS

While commercial and industrial construction has lagged, residential building remains active, and PCI is looking closely at that market for sales. “A number of producers are active in the residential sector, and we have several hard-working committees,” Quinlan says. “At the National Homebuilders' Association Convention this January, a demonstration single-family precast house was constructed at the Count on Concrete Show for Habitat for Humanity. The demo home was built by a collaboration of concrete groups led by the Portland Cement Association. The precast wall panels were up in seven hours, illustrating the tremendous potential there.”

Proponents attest that precast concrete homes can be erected quickly of components fabricated under strict, factory-controlled conditions. Precast dwellings are touted as fire-resistant, energy-efficient, subject to lower insurance premiums, and immune to mold infiltration. The home at the show was constructed using licensed Dow Styrofoam T-Mass insulated concrete wall technology.

Furthermore, the current emphasis on homeland security is changing the way precast products are made and sold. This trend, however, began before September 11, Quinlan says: “Our industry has been impacted since the Oklahoma City bombing [1995], and we now are designing and dealing with many types of blast-resistant structures.”

“While certain elements such as water tanks are being designed for security, the biggest issue is the way public buildings will be designed in the future, especially for blast loads,” he adds. “There are a number of federal courthouses that have very specific design provisions far in excess of what conventional building codes would have required.”

CONTINUED FOUNDATION DEVELOPMENT

In the wake of selecting and hiring a new president, planning an anniversary celebration, and keeping technical and marketing programs on target, development of PCI's foundation has been somewhat slow, Quinlan concedes. Foundation goals are to supplement current PCI Education Committee activities, including distribution of technical publications and sponsorship of design competitions as well as programs to support professors in the field.

“The PCI Education Foundation is incorporated, but off to a slow start, primarily due to the current economy,” Quinlan contends. “Funds have come in but the foundation is not where it needs to be. Growth is still in a very early stage. With our new president coming on, we hopefully will be able to rejuvenate the effort to get our foundation going.”

GATE PRECAST

AT-A-GLANCE

The Gate Precast Co. is a division of the Gate Construction Materials Group, a subsidiary of Gate Petroleum Company. Gate Construction Materials operates eight precast concrete plants throughout the southeast U.S., under three corporate identities: Gate Precast Co., Gate Concrete Products Co., and Gate Bluegrass Precast, Inc.

As president of Gate Precast Co., Michael Quinlan oversees three plants at Monroeville, Ala.; Kissimmee, Fla.; and, Sarasota, Fla. All three manufacture architectural precast products, supplying projects throughout states from Florida to Texas.

Gate Concrete Products Co. operates three plants in Jacksonville, Fla.; Pearland, Texas; and, Oxford, N.C. These plants manufacture structural and architectural precast products as well as hollowcore slabs.

Gate Bluegrass Precast operates two plants in Winchester, Ky., and Ashland City, Tenn. Both plants manufacture high-quality architectural precast products.

PRECAST/PRESTRESSED CONCRETE INSTITUTE AT-A-GLANCE

An active, professional organization dedicated to promoting greater use of precast and prestressed concrete, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) maintains an extensive staff of technical and marketing professionals. Furthermore, ensuring quality to customers, PCI producer members are obliged to maintain PCI Plant Certification. This certification program — an industry standard — now has been joined with a Qualified Erector Program. PCI's Plant Certification Program is open to nonmembers as well as members.

Over 1,400 professionals, including engineers, architects, producers and associate members, belong to PCI. Their mission is to improve the quality, economy and innovation of the construction industry by establishing new levels of design and engineering in precast applications.

PCI publishes the PCI Journal, a peer-reviewed technical magazine that discusses various aspects of precast and prestressed concrete production, while the promotional publication Ascent is aimed at material and product specifiers like architects, structural engineers, and building owners.

James Toscas, P.E., is PCI president. The institute can be contacted at 209 W. Jackson Blvd., Suite 500, Chicago, IL 60606; phone: 312/786-0300; fax: 312/786-0353; e-mail: info@pci.org; web site: www.pci.org.

PCI CHAIRMEN

CHAIRMAN 2003

Michael Quinlan, President
Gate Precast Company
Jacksonville, Florida

IMMEDIATE PAST CHAIRMAN (2002)

Ron Schlerf, President
Central Pre-Mix Prestress Co.
Spokane, Washington

VICE CHAIRMAN/CHAIRMAN ELECT (2004)

Fred W. Heldenfels Heldenfels
Enterprises Inc.
San Marcos, Texas

PCI'S NEW PRESIDENT

In February, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute appointed James G. Toscas, P.E., president. He succeeds Tom Battles, who led the institute for 16 years and continues as president emeritus.

At ACI, Toscas was instrumental in transforming the group's Strategic Development Council into an industry-leading technology strategy forum. In addition, he is credited with initiating development of a Technological Roadmap with the U.S. Department of Energy. Toscas also converted the Concrete & Masonry-Related Associations CEO Council from an informal group of association executives into a collaborative strategic development forum for the industry.

Toscas holds a B.A. in physics from the University of Chicago and an M.S. in nuclear engineering from the University of Illinois. He is a registered professional engineer in Illinois and has headed business units at a number of consulting engineering firms.

PCI MEETING COMBINES HPC, BRIDGE SYMPOSIA

An international symposium on high-performance concrete (HPC) and a conference on bridge design will be held in conjunction with the 49th Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI) convention and exhibition in Orlando, Oct. 19-22.

The 3rd International Symposium On High Performance Concrete is co-sponsored by PCI and the Federal Highway Administration. It will address the research, design, construction, performance and benefits of HPC, engineered to achieve enhanced durability and strength characteristics while ensuring adequate constructibility.

The PCI Bridge Conference will feature precast and precast/prestressed concrete bridges and bridge components from design to fabrication and construction. Nine technical sessions will be offered, covering state-of-the-art topics fresh from design boards, research laboratories and construction sites, presented by experts from all facets of the concrete industry.

A proceedings will be published and provided for all attendees. More information can be obtained by contacting PCI at 209 W. Jackson Blvd., Chicago, IL60606; phone: 312/786-0300; fax: 312/786-0353; or e-mail: info@pci.org.

PCI nurtures technical projects

PCI Chairman Quinlan is tracking a number of urgent 2003 technical topics and projects:

Self-consolidating concrete for producers

While high-performance concrete (HPC) is hot in the public sector, self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is a trend that is becoming more and more attractive to precast producers. “It does not require vibration for placement, and it's placed at a very high spread,” Quinlan explains. “Clearly, it's a labor saving issue.”

Additives to concrete account for the properties of SCC, yet the added expense is surpassed by cost savings in labor. “There appear to be very nice tradeoffs in view of the increased material costs versus the labor to place it,” Quinlan tells Concrete Products.

The technology is moving very quickly, and PCI is very near publication of interim guidelines for the use of self-consolidating concrete. “To date, there isn't a lot of information available for the application of SCC, but many producers already are using it,” Quinlan reports. “It's really happening quickly. For an industry that normally does not like change, self-consolidating concrete has taken hold like wildfire.”

Promotion of high-performance concrete

“The bridge market really seems to be taking the lead in the public sector in HPC,” Quinlan says. “HPC now is the norm, rather than the exception. It's become a huge factor in the bridge arena.” That's one reason PCI and the Federal Highway Administration are sponsoring the Third International Symposium on High Performance Concrete, to be held in Orlando in conjunction with PCI's annual convention (see sidebar at left).

Follow-through on PCI's PRESSS seismic research

PCI's Precast Seismic Structural System research got great exposure through a series of six seminars held last year, attended by nearly 1,000 engineering design professionals. “We're deeply in the codification process right now,” Quinlan notes. “The primary research has been completed, most of the reports are done, design examples have been developed, and six seminars were held. Now PCI is in the process of developing a seismic design guide. We want a published seismic design guide, and we want acceptance by building codes of seismic designs we refined during our research.” The program aims for acceptance by the International Building Code by 2006.

Revisions of technical material

“We're in the process of revising a number of our publications and manuals,” Quinlan says. “There's a new edition of the PCI Design Handbook that's scheduled to come out next year, which will be the sixth edition. We're also updating our ‘Blue Book,’ our Design Manual for Architectural Precast.”

Quinlan points to extensive research in headed studs as they relate to precast products. “We will see a lot of research findings incorporated into the design of these headed stud connections,” Quinlan affirms.

“A few years back a study came out that was not too favorable to our design methods, and our industry responded by better understanding how our connections were behaving,” Quinlan contends. “We've done an extensive amount of research with our consulting firm Wiss Janney Elstner, and I think we will get a lot out of it in terms of better designs for our connections, and more efficient designs as well.” The information will be part of an updated PCI design handbook.