Students at two schools recognized in the 2021 Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Design Awards program will enjoy new recreation spaces thanks to advanced building practice. Smithfield Middle School (North Richland Hills, Texas) and Boston College (Chestnut Hill, Mass.) are home to the winning projects: a gymnasium addition that plays double duty as a storm shelter and a new recreation center, respectively.…
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PCI Architectural producers begin new certification chapter
Sources: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago; CP staff The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Architectural Certification program has transitioned from a one-year implementation window to mandatory adoption. Effective October 2021, contracts calling for panels or other elements sourced from PCI-certified plants must reference the new Architectural Certification program, spanning five categories: AA. Cladding or non-load bearing products with multiple concrete mixes and textures,…
Read MoreQuartz 4K video, machine learning platform rewrites site activity log
Construction technology services provider Quartz Systems demonstrated the quality control and productivity-gauging potential of its new Concrete Deck Analysis program at World of Concrete 2021. The integrated hardware and software platform uses ultra-high resolution 4K video streams, machine learning, plus a web and mobile app to enable project principals to understand everything happening on a construction site. Users can see…
Read MoreAdjust-to-grade RimRiser makes fast work of manhole component leveling
Paving or public works crew-friendly device features unique, bolt-adjusted riser technology to ease the process of leveling cast iron manhole rings, inlet frames/grates and precast concrete tops. Offered through precast concrete producers, RimRiser solutions use a patented four-bolt system that allows a single crew member to precisely level the riser to the specified grade using a standard 5/8-in. nut driver. …
Read MoreCertainTeed dedicates premier veneer STONEfaçade plant
CertainTeed LLC, the building products subsidiary of Malvern, Pa.-based Saint-Gobain, has commenced operations at its newest North American production site: An inaugural STONEfaçade plant in Quakertown, Pa., equipped to serve distribution partners coast to coast. Anchored with metal fasteners, the precast concrete veneer system consists of 8-in. panels in 10-, 12- or 14-in. widths, painted by hand and shipped complete…
Read MorePrecast tunnel rings connect to Las Vegas venue visitors
Precast concrete tunnel segments’ engineering efficacy is on full display between the two sweeping entrances to the new Las Vegas Convention Center West Hall, dedicated June 8 concurrent with the World of Concrete 2021 opening. A full scale, 12-ft. inside diameter tunnel segment model offers visitors a unique perspective of the LVCC’s second, but far less visible new attraction: the…
Read MoreBoral North America liquidation spawns new veneer stone, tile leader
Precast concrete veneer brands Cultured Stone and Eldorado Stone, along with sister Boral Roofing (concrete) and US Tile (clay roofing) businesses, are part of a Boral North America Building Products asset package that Australian parent company Boral Ltd. has agreed to sell Houston-based Westlake Chemical Corp. for $2.15 billion. “This transaction will bring well-established and high-quality architectural solutions and premium…
Read More4K video rewrites site delivery tracking from crane, aerial perches
Sources: Quartz Systems, San Francisco; CP staff Construction technology services provider Quartz demonstrated the quality control and productivity gauging potential of its new Concrete Deck Analysis program at World of Concrete 2021. The integrated hardware and software platform uses ultra-high resolution 4K video streams, machine learning, plus a web and mobile app to enable project principals to track and understand…
Read MoreStrescore-assisted Notre Dame teams top PCI Big Beam Competition
Sources: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, Chicago; CP staff Two University of Notre Dame student teams took first and second place in the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute 2020 Engineering Student Design Competition. Now in its 20th year and also known as Big Beam, the national competition educates college students in an applied learning environment—imparting structural engineering skills they can use throughout their careers…
Read MoreInfrastructure study findings spell gains for precast methods
Demand for precast concrete in infrastructure products is projected to increase 4.4 percent annually, to $2.4 billion by 2022, with growth fueled by the need to repair the nation’s aging network of bridges, highways, roads and railroad tracks; increased adoption of the method over traditional cast-in-place alternatives; and, efforts by the federal government to increase surface transportation investment.
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