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Association & Industry News
The estimated ready mixed concrete produced in August is 38.9 million cubic yards, 2.1% lower than that in August 2022. The estimated production in the U.S. through August is 261 million cubic yards, approximately 2.2% lower than that during the same period in 2022. Ready mixed concrete production is estimated from cement shipments reported by the U.S. Geological Survey. More detail is available here for NRMCA members under Production Statistics. 
 NRMCA Senior Director, Building Innovations, Frank Mruk presented Zero-Energy Schools: How Innovative Concrete Systems are Making it Possible at the AIA Connecticut Architecture Conference + Expo (CACX’23) in Groton, CT, late last month. The presentation was designed to showcase how zero energy construction, utilizing ICF concrete systems in conjunction with other energy-saving strategies, can make a building as energy efficient as possible. CACX’23 is the premier continuing education and networking event for the AEC industry in Connecticut. With over 300 attendees (some seen here), CACX'23 serves as an excellent platform for learning, networking and collaboration within the New England region. The Expo at CACX'23 presented an excellent opportunity for industry partners and professionals such as the Connecticut Concrete Promotion Council's Dom DiCenzo and Nudura's Ken Lynch, who both served as sponsors, to showcase marketing materials, provide demonstrations and engage with attendees. Paolo Campos (Patriquin Architects, Yale professor, and president of AIA CT) hosted an architects' “coffee and concrete” site visit for his net zero ready ICF slate school project in New Haven earlier this year. The Build With Strength program is a leader in supporting New England architects at the cutting edge of industry best practices. For more information, contact Frank Mruk at fmruk@nrmca.org. Engineering
The American Concrete Institute's Fall Convention was held from October 28 to November 2 in Boston. The following is a summary of committee activity involving NRMCA Engineering Staff:
122 – Energy Efficiency of Concrete and Masonry Systems – The committee is working on the review process to finalize ACI 122.2 and 122.3 Thermal Properties of Concrete and Masonry for use in determining Code for residential and nonresidential buildings. The committee discussed whether to let ACI 122R-14 Guide expire; a formal vote will take place at the next committee meeting in mid-November. Darryl Dixon maintains representation in ACI 122.
SEO
 NRMCA’s Think First monthly safety initiatives feature different industry-specific safety items relevant to seasons, current topics or industry concerns. The initiatives are meant to be shared, used as a training tool, printed, posted or distributed; all of which are encouraged. This month’s issue, Truck Mixer Washout Safety, is shown here. 
NRMCA Senior Vice President, Codes and Standards, Shamim Rashid-Sumar co-presented with ICFMA Technical Director Robert Sculthorpe at the NEx workshop in Boston last week. The workshop, conducted by NEx and titled FRP Composites in the Face of Fire: Insights from Research and Industry, was part of the ACI 2023 Fall Convention (see detailed report under the Engineering section). Rashid-Sumar (seen here at podium) and Sculthorpe focused on fire testing in Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls and included previous testing for ignition, flame spread and fire resistance of ICF walls. The presentation also outlined the current testing for vertical and lateral flame propagation in exterior ICF walls. NEx is an ACI center of excellence for non-metallic building materials. Its mission is to collaborate to expand and accelerate the use of nonmetallics in the built environment to drive innovation, research, education, awareness, adoption and deployment. NRMCA is an allied partner of NEx as part of its codes and standards advocacy strategy. For more information about NRMCA Codes and Standards advocacy efforts, contact Shamim Rashid-Sumar at ssumar@nrmca.org. 
Buildings
Implementing low carbon technologies is not without challenges. For cement and concrete producers along with concrete contractors, it means installing new equipment, testing new concrete mixtures and learning new ways to manufacture, place and finish concrete. This session will explore how policy, investment in new technologies and innovation will help the concrete industry meet its carbon neutrality goals.
Concrete Innovations Session 17 is scheduled for Wednesday, November 15, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Eastern time. Click here to register. Visit www.concreteinnovations.com for upcoming sessions. For more information, contact Lionel Lemay at llemay@nrmca.org or 847-922-7995.
Pavement
NRMCA Vice President, Local Paving, Don Clem, PE, recently discussed the advantages of concrete roundabouts at the Idaho Association of Highway Districts' Local Transportation Convention in Boise. Clem (seen here, beside the podium) noted that roundabouts are increasingly replacing conventional cross intersections throughout Western states due to their increased safety records, including a dramatic reduction in crash fatalities and ability to better handle traffic flow. The breakout session was well attended, attracting about 40 public works officials. Thanks to Grant Green, senior sales representative of Ash Grove Cement (a CRH Company) for contacting NRMCA to help organize the presentation. For more information, contact Don Clem at dclem@nrmca.org. 
Calendar
Please note that e-mail and direct registration links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's website. November 14 - 16, Dallas *Sold Out November 15, Free Online Webinar November 16, Madison, MS November 28 - 30, Orlando, FL *Sold Out November 29, Indianapolis December 11 - 18, Online Course December 12 - 15, Orlando, FL *Sold Out December 12 - 14, Denver *Limited Seats Left December 12, Charlotte, NC *Limited Seats Left December 13, Online Course 2024 February 5 - 9, Oklahoma City February 13 - 15, Denver February 27 - 29, Orlando, FL March 18 - 21, Tampa, FL March 26 - 28, Denver October 10 - 14, Aurora, CO 
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