Montana code officials move first to view 3D-printed, block walls equally

Sources: Apis Cor, Melbourne, Fla.; CP staff Montana building code regulators are the first among U.S. state peers to approve 3D-printed concrete or cementitious mortar layers as an equal replacement for concrete masonry units in load-bearing walls. Montana native and Billings general contractor Tim Stark secured a nod to use Apis Cor printing technology for housing developments, confident the equipment…

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ACI, PTI map Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete Code

Sources: American Concrete Institute, Post-Tensioning Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.; CP staff

The American Concrete Institute and Post-Tensioning Institute have announced an expanded partnership, formalized through the new joint ACI-PTI Committee 320, Post-Tensioned Structural Concrete Code, in response to expressed industry need for building code requirements addressing the unique aspects of post-tensioned concrete design. 

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PCI-certified plants close in on structural fabricator accreditation

Sources: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago; CP staff

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute and International Accreditation Service (IAS) have completed a cooperation agreement that will enable Institute members to apply their PCI plant certification toward IAS approved structural fabricator accreditation, in accordance with the IAS AC157 program. 

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ACI, PCI team to develop a structural precast companion to 318

Sources: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.; Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago; CP staff

An expanded American Concrete Institute and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute partnership has spawned the joint ACI-PCI Committee 319, Precast Structural Concrete Code, tasked with developing and maintaining code requirements unique to plant-fabricated elements or members common among PCI members. 

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SF Bay Area county approves premier low-carbon concrete code

Sources: Sierra Club California; CP staff

The Marin County (Calif.) Board of Supervisors unanimously adopted an ordinance that adds a low-carbon concrete specification to the county’s building code, effective January 1, 2020. The new code applies to concrete mix designs for all private and public construction projects, and includes pathways for compliance with either reduced cement levels or lower-emission supplementary cementitious materials. 

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New ACI committee to pursue precast structural code

Source: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.

ACI Committee 319, Precast Structural Concrete Code will host its inaugural meeting October 19 during the American Concrete Institute Fall Convention in Cincinnati. As committee chair, University of Minnesota, Duluth Professor of Civil Engineering Andrea Schokker will steer development of building code requirements that address the unique aspects of precast and prestressed concrete.

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Building code-driven coalition replicates Los Angeles success in Philadelphia

Sources: Build with Strength, Washington, D.C.; CP staff

The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association-aligned Build with Strength coalition has enlisted International Longshoremen’s Association Local 1291 and Mayfair Civic Association, both Philadelphia, as its newest members. They join civic organizations, fire service professionals, architects, engineers and industry experts who are committed to a) enacting safer and more sustainable building standards; and, b) closely tracking an increase in fires damaging or destroying low- to mid-rise buildings designed with combustible materials.

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Public comment period for ACI 318-19 draft continues

Source: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.

ACI is accepting feedback through February 6 on the proposed ACI 318-19: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, the draft posted here. The new edition will be the first since a reorganized format was published in 2014 and include new or updated provisions on transverse reinforcement and shear in wide beams, hanger reinforcement, bi-directional interaction of one-way shear, and reference to ACI certifications. Existing provisions expected to receive significant updates and clarifications include two-way shear strength, ordinary walls, seismic loads, reinforcement detailing, analysis, and numerous materials requirements. Analysis methods for two-way slabs and provisions on shear heads and composite concrete columns are expected to be removed.  

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Underwriters harden view of hurricane-prone states’ building code fealty

Sources: Insurance Institute for Business & Home Safety (IBHS), Tampa, Fla.; CP staff

IBHS’ 2018 edition of Rating the States follows a disastrous year of storms, authors note, and is well timed to inform discussion and action to improve building strength as communities repair or replace hurricane-damaged properties.

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Rash of fire fatalities spurs state scrutiny of combustible building materials

Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; CP staff

Responding to the fire related deaths of nine residents in January, Maryland Senate Committee on Education, Health, and Environmental Affairs Chairwoman Joan Carter Conway (Baltimore City) has introduced a bill covering low- to mid-rise residential developments throughout the state: SB 722, Public Safety – Light Frame Combustible Construction – Requirements.

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