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March 29, 2012

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News about architecture and design for A/E/C professionals in the buildings industry

Architecture Update

Hoover Dam's bypass bridge features world's tallest precast columns
The precast concrete columns of the 1,900-foot-long, $240 million Mike O'Callaghan-Pat Tillman Memorial Bridge that spans the Colorado River downstream from the Hoover Dam are the highest in the world. The Federal Highway Administration's pioneer hybrid arch bridge recently received the Outstanding Civil Engineering Achievement award from the American Society of Civil Engineers. Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood said he was proud that the bridge received the honor, but that credit should go to those who worked to build it. Occupational Health & Safety (3/27), Las Vegas Sun (3/26), KVOA Communications (Tucson, Ariz.) (3/26)

Tool's sample plans use preformed materials for rapid bridge building
A soon-to-be-available tool kit for accelerated bridge construction includes sample plans that use prefabricated components such as "concrete-bulb tees with precast decks and concrete double-T systems." The tool also contains standardized plans for modular components, construction specifications and erection concepts. It will be beta tested in Vermont, which hopes to use ABC techniques to replace the state's 17 hurricane-damaged bridges. Engineering News-Record (3/26)

Study aims to build more concrete buildings in quake-prone areas
Large-scale tests investigating the use of reinforced-concrete link beams with embedded structural steel sections have had good results and could lead to easier construction of concrete buildings in seismic zones. Minimal damage to the embedded portion's concrete surface was seen. More tests are planned to study beam anchorage depth to the shear walls to further enhance constructibility. After that, proposals "will follow for changes to the 2017 edition of the American Concrete Institute's (ACI) seismic standard and to general wall provisions, also for wind resistance." Engineering News-Record (3/26)

Other News

Tough building codes reduced quake damage in Mexico, IBHS says
PropertyCasualty360 (3/23)

Sustainable Design

LEED certification for commercial buildings reaches turning point
The U.S. Green Building Council has certified its 12,000th LEED building, the Anahuac National Wildlife Refuge in Texas. "Twelve years after the first 12 projects earned LEED certification, the green building community has reached a significant milestone,” said Rick Fedrizzi, president and CEO of the organization. The News Journal (Wilmington, Del.)/Delaware Business blog (3/27)

Other News

Green building features gain traction in multifamily dwellings
Bloomberg Businessweek (3/21)

Technology, Trends and Research

Imagining the shape of things to come with 3D concrete printing


Source: EurekaMagazine.co.uk /YouTube

A 3-dimensional concrete printing process developed by Loughborough University in the United Kingdom could be the shape of things to come. The process involves the use of "highly controlled extrusion of cement-based mortar, which is precisely positioned according to computer data" that will soon utilize a 7-axis robotic arm to improve its degree of customization when printing large building pieces to be used in construction. EurekaMagazine.co.uk (U.K.) (3/22)

Other News

Calif. high-speed rail authority's final bullet train plan to cut costs
KPCC-FM (Los Angeles) (3/27)

Project Spotlight

Prestressed concrete to be used for bridge project in Pennsylvania
A two-lane prestressed concrete bridge is planned as a replacement for the Pompey Hill Road bridge that spans the Stonycreek River near Stoystown, Pa., according to the state transportation department. It will be spread box-beam construction and will cost about $2 million, said state DOT official John Ciprich. Design is expected to be finished by 2014. The Tribune-Democrat (Johnstown, Pa.) (3/27)

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News from PCI

Now accepting entries for the 50th Annual PCI Design Awards
The PCI Design Awards program recognizes design excellence and construction quality using precast concrete. Be a part of the search for excellence and submit your project today! All winning projects will be showcased at the PCI Convention and National Bridge Conference and included in a summary article that appears in the PCI Journal, Aspire and Ascent magazines. Together, these publications reach over 65,000 industry stakeholders. We encourage you to take advantage of this great opportunity to showcase your project! The deadline for entries is May 21. Get more details.

PCI Offers Designer's Notebook on tolerances
PCI has recently published a Designer's Notebook on envelope tolerances for architectural precast concrete. The Designer's Notebook explains the three groups of tolerances established for architectural precast concrete: product tolerances, erection tolerances, and interfacing tolerances. The Designer's Notebook is registered for 1 LU/PDH of CE credit. Take a look (PDF).

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