DAP Recommendations Help "Break Ice," Leading to Virginia Project Win

"We keep throwing mud at the wall. Some sticks – some doesn’t." That’s how Hessam Nabavi, director of industry services for the Virginia Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (VRMCA) looks at promotion. "We might spend years delivering the message and wondering if anyone is listening. And then, suddenly, their eyes are opened and it all makes sense." And that is just what happened on a project in Fairfax County, VA, reports NRMCA Senior National Resource Director Phil Kresge.

Nabavi had been working with contacts he had at Adtek Engineering for a number of years. He had spoken with them about pervious concrete on several occasions and had reported some interest, but had yet to break the ice. All that changed in early 2012 when Adtek began working on the Lemon Road Elementary School renovation project in Falls Church, VA. Proper stormwater management was part of the focus of the project and, due to certain site conditions, the engineer ealized that pervious concrete might be just the answer. Nabavi worked closely with Adtek and provided it with design guidance through the NRMCA Design Assistance Program (DAP). Kresge added that the DAP report and the subsequent support from NRMCA’s pavement specialists played a significant role in the engineer’s and owner’s decision-making.

"DAP provides a level of confidence to the engineer," Kresge said. "There is a reassurance in knowing that the recommendations are supported by well-founded principles and are not just ‘value-engineering’."

The recently completed 50,000 square foot project (seen above) was supplied by NRMCA member Vulcan Materials, Fairfax, VA and was placed by NRMCA Certified Pervious Concrete Craftsman Thomas "Zeke" Zinchiak of Z-Con, Inc. Concrete Specialists, Woodbine, MD.