Spancrete Machinery Corp. announces ICC Evaluation Service approval of its Hollowcore Wall Panel and related connection detail for seismic resistance. ICC confirmation of the seismic wall system's compliance with 1997 Uniform Building Code provisions and the 2000 International Building Code is the culmination of two years' development and testing of a connection detail for Spancrete's prestressed hollowcore wall panels. The effort was undertaken by Waukesha, Wis.-based Spancrete Machinery Corp. in cooperation with the precast division of its parent company, The Spancrete Group, as well as the Spancrete Manufacturers Association; the University of Wisconsin-Madison, Department of Engineering; and, Nakaki Bashaw Group, Inc. of Irvine, Calif.

Testing was conducted under a variety of conditions, including eccentric compression of the panel cross section and cyclic testing of a load-limiting base connection. Insofar as the newly developed connection with the hollowcore wall panels proved viable, the confirmation — detailed in ICC-ES report ER-5902 — provides guidance to code officials faced with approving the use of Spancrete Hollow Core Wall Panel. The ICC-ES report ER-5902 can be accessed from the Links page at www.spancrete-machinery.com.

Spancrete is reportedly the first company worldwide to be approved by the ICC Evaluation Service for hollowcore wall panels as special reinforced concrete shear walls under the IBC. The connection technology has been submitted for patent approval. Portland Cement Association awarded eight industry professionals the Promotion Progress Award at its annual spring committee meeting last month in Chicago. Winners were selected among 19 nominees of PCA member company personnel for outstanding efforts in promoting cement and concrete products. In addition, four of the winners, two from Canada and two from the U.S., received the industry's sustainable development award.

“This year's winners and nominees have accomplished impressive promotional goals by demonstrating outstanding leadership and generously contributing substantial time, energy, and enthusiasm,” says PCA Chairman Jim Repman (California Portland). Award recipients include:

• David Baker, Ash Grove Cement Co., for mobilizing local, regional, and national resources to create a steady demand for soil-cement in the Northwest.
• Larry Baloun, Lehigh Northwest Cement Ltd., (Sustainable Development award winner, U.S.), for driving industry sustainability efforts dramatically forward through leadership, knowledge, and commitment.
• Brad Belt, Salt River Materials Group/Phoenix Cement Co., for partnering with a nonprofit community development corporation to demonstrate the sustainable benefits of cement-based products in low-income residential construction.
• Dan Brown, Holcim (US) Inc., (Sustainable Development award winner, U.S.), for combining passion, precision, and expertise to convince decision makers of the advantages of pervious pavement and other environmentally sustainable concrete applications. Following the PCA presentation, Brown was named recipient of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association Industry Achievement Award during the group's annual convention in mid-March. Illness prevented his participation in the event, the week after which NRMCA noted Brown's passing.
• Allan Kramer, Lehigh Cement Co., (Sustainable Development award winner, U.S.), for building awareness of the importance and future impact of the sustainable development movement and the key roles of cement and concrete.
• Francois Marleau, Ciment Quebec, for establishing RCC pavements as a significant competitor to the asphalt paving industry in Quebec and Maine.
• Lori Peterson, Lafarge Corp., for working with Habitat for Humanity to build a low-impact subdivision of ICF houses lining a pervious concrete residential street.
• Mark Scripnick, St. Mary's Cement (Sustainable Development award winner, Canada), for guiding the Canadian cement industry through his ambitious vision to a position of leadership on sustainable development and green building.

The 2005 Promotion Progress Awards are cosponsored by PCA and the Cement Association of Canada.