Continuing to focus on how to mitigate increasing economic consequences of extreme weather and other climate-related risks, especially as they relate to the architectural/engineering/construction community and the built environment, the White House hosted Forum on Smart Finance for Disaster Resilience. State and local government officials, along with insurance and financial services stakeholders, assembled last month to learn about new investment approaches and incentive programs presently deployed in communities, and to explore potential innovative financing mechanisms.
Read MoreMonth: September 2016
White House guidance stands to hamper transportation project permits
The American Road & Transportation Builders Association has asked the Federal Highway Administration to withdraw a proposal to measure greenhouse gas emissions from new transportation projects. The agency action is part of larger performance measures required under the 2012 Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century (MAP-21) surface transportation reauthorization law, and follows the White House’s early-August release of “Final Guidance on Considering Climate Change in Environmental Reviews” for federal agencies.
Read MoreFeds prevail in ERISA-rooted charges against Cement Masons’ local officials
The Labor Department characterizes a U.S. District Court for the Central District of California decision against a Cement Masons Southern California Trust Funds trustee and attorney as a “victory for whistleblowers.” The court found that trustee and Cement Masons Local 600 business manager Scott Brain and trust counsel Melissa Cook violated two Employee Retirement Income Security Act sections when they caused the firing of Cheryle Robbins and Cory Rice.
Read MoreArgos’ art of the nine-figure deal
By Don Marsh
Colombia-based Argos S.A. demonstrates in its latest investment the credit facilities and drive to build multiple U.S. cement and concrete platforms, perhaps competing for acquisitions with expansion-minded peers on the order of Oldcastle Materials and Summit Materials.
Read MoreStructural, thermal mass add up to data center protection
St. Louis-based Ascent LLC, a builder and operator of highly secure data centers is promoting its latest facility on the strength of mass, reinforced concrete: 15-in. walls and a 13.5-in. roof enclosing 42,600 sq. ft. of space. Dubbed DAL1 for its Dallas-Ft. Worth metroplex proximity, the new Plano, Texas, facility is built to withstand exposure to 360-mph winds, well above the National Weather Service’s 200-mph threshold for (Enhanced Fujita Scale) EF5 tornadoes.
Read MoreASTM C09 approves roller compacted concrete pavement standard
Sources: ASTM International, West Conshohocken, Pa.; CP staff
ASTM C09 Committee on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates’ new standard—C1800, Test Method for Determining Density of Roller Compacted Concrete Specimens Using the Gyratory Compactor—references a specialized tool to prepare samples and test the density of a material with proven performance characteristics in medium- and heavy duty pavements.
Read MoreClark Pacific webinar series states ‘Case for Resilient Design’
Sources: Clark Pacific, West Sacramento, Calif.; CP staff
Leading West Coast architectural and structural precast producer Clark Pacific has teamed with the U.S. Resiliency Council, a non-profit organization that aims to establish building resilient ratings, to offer a complimentary webinar series for architects, engineers and building owners.
Read MoreCode service validates connection methodology for seismic precast design
Sources: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago; CP staff
PCI has received ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) confirmation that the new Precast Concrete Diaphragm Seismic Design Methodology complies with 2012 and 2015 International Building Code provisions. The methodology was recognized by the American Society of Civil Engineers earlier this year, and stems from a groundbreaking investigation PCI funded with the National Science Foundation, Network for Earthquake Engineering Simulation and Charles Pankow Foundation.
Read MoreFoundation funds research on graphite-derived concrete admixture
Sources: Zenyatta Ventures Ltd., Thunder Bay, Ontario; CP staff
The owner of a rare, volcanic graphite deposit in Ontario has entered an agreement with Israel-based admixture specialist Larisplast Ltd. to expand research on a processed agent, graphene, shown in preliminary testing to accelerate concrete curing time and impart mechanical performance suited to seismic or blast impact loads.
Read MorePolishing association transitions to new ASCC council
Sources: American Society of Concrete Contractors, St. Louis; CP staff
The Concrete Polishing Association of America (CPAA) will merge with American Society of Concrete Contractors and become the Concrete Polishing Council, alongside ASSC’s Decorative Concrete, Manufacturer’s Advisory and Safety & Risk Management Councils.
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