Hydro project powers on, cold be dammed

Renewable electricity has started being produced at the Keeyask Generating Station in Manitoba, Canada, six-months ahead of the project’s control schedule. A lesson in extreme cold weather concreting, the milestone was achieved through innovative logistics measures and tools employed by the joint venture team of Bechtel Canada, Montana-based Barnard Construction Co. and Canadian contractor EllisDon.

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Length Matters

Bold engineers, astute vendors and ideal girder delivery routes to target bridge sites have the Washington State Department of Transportation perpetually maximizing the structural value of 10,000 psi concrete, prestressed with 0.6-in. diameter steel strand. For more than a decade, the agency has approached Interstate 5 corridor bridge designs—especially structures spanning urban rail lines and/or key arteries—intent on reducing pier…

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MICROSOFT EXECUTIVE CHAIRS BIM COMMITTEE

The National Institute of Building Sciences has named Microsoft Director of Transformation Services Salla Eckhardt as National Building Information Modeling Program Steering Committee Chair. “We need a standard that supports the entire digital building lifecycle from BIM-ready planning to BIM-based design and digital construction all the way to BIM as a component in built environment digital twins,” she affirms.

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REBAR MARKET REPORT

In a new report, Global Market Insights analyst Samikshya Borse projects steady growth for steel rebar shipments, owing partly to the availability multiple milling and fabrication solutions. The development of compact rolled products provides many benefits to end users, including a vast reduction in bending & cutting work and lower storage space at construction sites. Rise in disposable income and…

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MANUFACTURERS – APRIL 2021

Charah Solutions Inc. in Louisville, Ky., has been awarded a five-year contract by NV Energy for marketing of fly ash from the North Valmy Generating Station, a 522-MW power facility with two operating coal-fired units. The plant and complex are jointly owned by NV Energy and Idaho Power. The fly ash will be shipped to regional markets via Charah Solutions’…

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ORGANIZATIONS – APRIL 2021

The American Concrete Institute has launched ACI 318 PLUS, an annual subscription providing digital interactive access to ACI CODE-318-19, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete and Commentary, along with in-document access to related resources, robust digital notetaking, and enhanced search. The service includes full digital interactive access to the ACI Detailing Manual and Reinforced Concrete Design Handbook, with functionality allowing…

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PRODUCERS – APRIL 2021

Dave Semple has been named to the newly designated post of York Building Products president, overseeing the York, Pa. producer’s 10 concrete masonry plants or yards and seven stone, sand & gravel sites, along with safety management and procurement functions. He assumes duties of a former vice president and is tasked with ensuring collaboration across all building products businesses.

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Foundations group gauges form tie shortage impact on residential work

The Concrete Foundations Association is leading an industry-wide effort to mitigate a pending steel form tie shortage across North American markets. Designed to withstand the fluid pressure of concrete placement, the ties structurally connect foundation and wall forming systems. A typical residential concrete foundation can require up to 700 form ties.

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Contractor survey finds commercial market prospects on the rise

Data from the first quarter U.S. Chamber of Commerce Commercial Construction Index reveals contractors are growing more optimistic, mostly driven by a rise in revenue expectations. They also have better outlooks on hiring and equipment spending plans as business concerns related to the coronavirus pandemic lessen.

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