Sources: BASF Admixture Systems, Cleveland; CP staff
With an eye to sustainable construction, BASF has formulated a new water-reducing admixture, Pozzolith 700N, for use in ready mixed concrete designed with SCM. It provides faster setting time in the face of supplementary binders, which typically challenge contractors by extending a mixture’s set window.
Read MoreSource: American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.
ACI has named James Wight, FACI, FASCE, president of the Institute for 2012-2013. Wight is the Frank E. Richart Jr. Collegiate Professor of Civil Engineering at the University of Michigan. Known for his work in earthquake-resistant design of concrete structures, Wight’s recent research has concentrated on the strength and inelastic behavior of connections in composite structures (reinforced concrete and steel) and the use of high-performance fiber reinforced concrete composites for earthquake-resistant design of critical members in concrete structures. Wight has been an active member of ACI since 1973.
Read MoreSource: National Sand, Stone and Gravel Association, Alexandria, Va.
Ronald “Ron” Summers, senior vice president, Materials Group, for Glendora, Calif.-based CalPortland Co., was elected the 2012 Chairman of the Board of NSSGA. His election came during the NSSGA Board of Directors’ meeting at the association’s annual convention in Charlotte, N.C., on March 13. Summers began his term immediately.
Read MoreSources: Navistar Inc., Lisle, Ill.; CP staff
Stepping into a market segment Mack and Peterbilt drive, Navistar unveiled a low cab forward model, suited to concrete pumping and refuse hauling vehicles, at the Mid-America Trucking Show in Louisville. The LoadStar is equipped with a stainless steel cab to minimize corrosion and increase durability; vocationally designed, variable depth frame rails for durability, light weight, and ride characteristics; ergonomically designed cab interior; and, integrated powertrain with MaxxForce engine (10, 11 or 13L), featuring CleanBurn Emissions Technology or optional natural gas version (Cummins ISL-G, early 2013).
Read MoreSource: Columbia Machine Inc., Vancouver, Wash.
In honor of its 75-year anniversary celebration, Columbia is holding a March 1–July 1 contest to identify the oldest of its machines still turning out concrete masonry units. The customer with the oldest operating machine will receive a $10,000 parts and mold credit, plus a free Columbia customer care visit. In addition, there will be a “participation drawing prize” given for $7,500 parts and mold credit awarded regardless of machine manufacture date.
Read MoreSource: U.S. Geological Survey, Reston, Va.
Shipments of portland cement increased by 7.5 percent in the fourth quarter of 2011, and annual consumption increased by 3.1 percent in 2011, compared with consumption in 2010, according to USGS’s monthly survey. Total cement shipments for 2011 were approximately 72.2 million mt, up 3.0 percent compared to year-end 2010. Cement imports for 2011 totaled 6.54 million mt, down about 3.0 percent from those through 2010.
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