NRMCA is seeking abstracts for the 2013 International Concrete Sustainability Conference, scheduled for May 6-8 just outside San Francisco at the Hotel Sofitel San Francisco Bay (Redwood City, CA). The 8th annual conference will provide learning and networking opportunities on the latest advances, technical knowledge, continuing research, tools and solutions for sustainable concrete manufacturing and construction. The conference is being conducted in cooperation with the Stanford University Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Researchers, academics, students, engineers, architects, contractors, concrete producers, public works officials, material suppliers and concrete industry professionals are invited to present and attend the conference. Suggested topics include the latest developments related to design, specifying, manufacturing, testing, construction, maintenance and research of concrete as they relate to sustainability:

• Life Cycle Assessment – Assessing carbon footprint, embodied energy and other environmental impacts for buildings, infrastructure, and cement and concrete manufacturing.

• Low Impact Development – Pervious pavements and erosion control structures. Urban heat island reduction, light colored pavements, green roofs and cool communities.

• Green Concrete – Recycled and alternative materials, including aggregates, water, cementitious materials and fuels. Beneficial use of byproducts for cement and concrete production.

• New Concrete Technology – Durability, extended service life models and validation, performance-based specifications to foster sustainability. Innovative concrete production methods.

• Sustainability Initiatives – Green building codes and standards adopted by building owners, designers, contractors and product manufacturers. Economic incentives and legislation.

• Functional Resilience – High performance concrete applications in buildings and infrastructure, fortified building codes and community initiatives focusing on disaster resistance and adaptive reuse.