Reaching out to geotechnical engineers in the quest for concrete pavement designs inclusion in all projects is a goal of Andrew Lester of NRMCA Producer member MMC Materials. To work toward this goal, he put together a lunch presentation to key geotechnical engineering firms in the Jackson, MS, area and invited NRMCA Vice President, National Resources, Amy Miller to speak to this group about proper concrete design and to also help them understand why they should always include a concrete pavement section in every project. Lester also asked special guest Robert Varner of Burns Cooley Dennis, Inc., to speak on the upcoming ACI 330 Guide to Design and Construction of Concrete Industrial Pavements. Varner is a local geotechnical engineer who also serves as the ACI 330 chairman.

"Not providing a concrete section is not allowing for open competition from the market," Lester said. "Owners are depending on their consultants to aid them in design and best pricing solutions. Often time engineers don't understand the current dynamics of costs as they relate to competitive first costs when pavements are designed appropriately. Our job is to help them understand this." 

For more information, contact Amy Miller at amiller@nrmca.org.