Coastal Stone, ProVia move first in veneer product certification

Sources: National Concrete Masonry Association, Herndon, Va.; CP staff

The charter operators in the NCMA Manufactured Stone Veneer Product Certification Program are Coastal Stone Co. of Denton, Md., and ProVia LLC of Sugarcreek, Ohio. Developed by members of the NCMA Manufactured Stone Veneer committee, the program recognizes precast concrete stone that meets or exceeds product standards set by producers with demonstrated quality control systems and educated plant personnel. 

Read More

NPCA Board taps DOT, White House veteran to succeed staff chief Gable

Sources: National Precast Concrete Association, Carmel, Ind.; CP staff

NPCA directors have appointed Frederick Grubbe, MBA, CAE, successor to President and CEO Ty Gable, who will cap 25-plus years at the group with a previously announced year-end retirement. Effective January 2020, Grubbe will lead staff, programs and activities to ensure objectives are attained, plans fulfilled, and member needs met. He will work with directors on developing the strategic plan and maintaining effective internal and external relationships.

Read More

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.

Read More

FHWA sunsets rule restricting proprietary product procurement

Sources: Federal Highway Administration; CP staff

Effective October 28, Federal Highway Administration is lifting U.S. Department of Transportation regulations greatly limiting state contracting agencies from using federal dollars to acquire patented or proprietary materials, products or services for road and bridge work. 

Read More

Solitary bees find solace in concrete habitat

Bee i

LafargeHolcim’s Ductal division collaborated with Brooklyn-based design firm Harrison Atelier and The Frank Institute at CR10 on a technologically innovative project to help learn more about solitary bees and their nesting behavior. The Pollinators Pavilion will double as an education center and a habitat for the native, stingerless bees at Stone House Farm, a 2,500-acre regenerative organic farm in Livingston, N.Y.

Read More

16.5-in. arrayed diamond blades

Brick

Q-Drive 16.5-in. Hard-Brick and Hard Concrete blades incorporate the latest in diamond tool technology, bearing what product engineers describe as an ideal ratio of diamond to metal powder concentration. Optimized for strenuous work environments, the blades deliver faster and more consistent cutting speeds. When one row of diamonds begins to wear out, a second row behind it is ready to begin cutting.

Read More

Equipment strain sensor

The new ESR digital strain sensor monitors structural health on equipment, couples with an encoder using the digital interface EnDat, and offers high signal quality, accuracy and robustness. Users mount the ESR sensor on any flat surface where load or mechanical forces apply to a body. Applications include cranes, conveyor belts, bridges, or other equipment or structures where a load or force needs to be monitored on a mechanical structure.

Read More