NRMCA e-news
National Ready Mixed Concrete Association
NEWS LINKS
The Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) spends only 7.6% of its paving dollars on concrete, as opposed to asphalt, and the Mid-Atlantic Chapter of the American Concrete Paving Association (ACPA) wants a bigger piece of the action. ACPA Executive Director Robert R. Long Jr., outlined four "opportunities" for the state to stretch its transportation dollars.
Source: A Web site called Bacon's Rebellion which posted this story on October 19 (Note the comments section too).
A few months ago, E-NEWS relayed news of the city of Chicago's Green Streets program, which emphasized, among other things, the use of pervious concrete to address stormwater runoff concerns. Now city officials are touting what it calls the "Greenest Street in America" in the Pilsen Neighborhood, describing it as "an unprecedented demonstration of how cutting-edge sustainable design and 'complete streets' principles can be implemented in the public right of way." Officials state that the $14 million streetscape project is the first in the country to balance and incorporate such a wide spectrum of sustainable performance into a single urban roadway.
Click here to read more from the city's Web site. To discuss how concrete can play a role in such urban projects across the country, contact NRMCA's Tien Peng at tpeng@nrmca.org.
NRMCA Producer Member Titan American has created a brief video that demonstrates an important benefit concrete possesses over asphalt when analyzing driving on both road surfaces. The video was shown in September at NRMCA's ConcreteWorks held just outside Washington, DC, and is now available via this YouTube link. *Note that the dial on the left is representative of sound (decibel rating), then mpg and speed.
Some industry personnel are working on a documentary on the history of concrete and are seeking help to complete it. Note that NRMCA does not endorse in any way this project, but is merely forwarding its existence to its membership. The principals in the effort, Wes Vollmer and George Siegal, state that if they do not reach their fundraising target, they do not collect any funds. If they reach their goal, "we will produce a first rate documentary that will bring some much needed and
much deserved attention to the concrete industry."
Click here to learn more. For more information, contact Vollmer and Siegal at
PROMOTIONS
This much anticipated comprehensive Guide to Concrete Overlays of Asphalt Parking Lots for this fast-growing market with enormous potential is about to go to the printer. Pre-publication orders for multiple copies at substantial discounts can be placed now, but only through Monday, October 29. After publication the price will be $8 per copy. Prices for immediate orders:
Though being published by NRMCA, the creation of this guide is by the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center was funded by the RMC Research & Education Foundation. It will be available free as a PDF, but experience has shown that specifiers will want printed copies of the guide to seriously consider these overlays. NRMCA encourages our members and partners to obtain printed copies and to share them with contractors and specifiers to help move this market forward.
Please note that these special prices are only available to NRMCA members and partners, and shipping charges will be added to the cost of your order. For information about the guide, contact Jon Hansen at jhansen@nrmca.org. Place your order with Jacques Jenkins at jjenkins@nrmca.org or 240-485-1165.
In its quest to continually look for opportunities to present the benefits of specifying with concrete, the Kentucky Ready-Mixed Concrete Association recently invited NRMCA Senior National Resource Director Amy Miller to speak to the Kentucky Finance and Administration Cabinet in Frankfort on Concrete Parking Lot Design Opportunities. The goal of this meeting was to explain to state engineers as well as consultants to Kentucky the reasons why they should be asking for a concrete specification on all projects as an owner or specifying concrete on all projects if they are consultants.
"We had spoken to a similar group regarding the proper way to design, but failed to explain to them the missed opportunities of not having a concrete specification in every job they bid," Miller said. "Owners can’t afford NOT to have an equivalent concrete specification on every job. Having concrete in the specification saves money and, in this case, the taxpayers of Kentucky are the ones missing out on those savings."
The meeting was well attended and the consultants and owners alike discussed incorporating concrete to alleviate those missed cost saving opportunities, Miller added.
For more information, contact Amy Miller at amiller@nrmca.org.
Clean Pavements for Clean Cars would be a great motto for those car wash businesses in the Northeast that have chosen concrete over asphalt, reports NRMCA Senior National Resource Director Doug O'Neill. The Niagara Car Wash operates in both Pennsylvania and New York and uses concrete at all its sites. In Rochester, NY, where O'Neill is based, there are several car washes that have decided to go with concrete because of the durability of the surface, especially under severe conditions.
During the winter months, car washes in the Northeast do a brisk business due to the amount of road salt that gets used and eventually finds its way onto the cars. In these winter conditions, the entrances take abuse from cars dripping salt and the exits take abuse because they are constantly wet due to the cars exiting the wash. Concrete offers owners a much more durable, non-slip surface, O'Neill said. Another reason car wash owners are choosing concrete is the perception of cleanliness; customers are more often going to pull in to a well lit, clean, safe site and concrete offers that.
NRMCA plans to add to the collection of downloadable Concrete Paving Project Success Stories with one focusing on car washes. Click here to view a sample. If you have any details on a particular project that you'd like to add to NRMCA’s expanding list of Concrete Paving Project Success Stories, contact your national resource director or e-mail Doug O'Neill at doneill@nrmca.org to discuss further.
A review by the Portland Cement Association (PCA) of recent project lettings in Iowa and South Dakota illustrate the dramatic shift in paving material prices. A July letting in Brookings, SD, for the reconstruction of 32nd Avenue was designed as an alternate bid project. Four bids were submitted for concrete and two bids were submitted for asphalt; with two of the concrete bids beating the low asphalt bid. Low prices for the 10,500 square yard project were $870,950 for concrete and $901,253 for asphalt. The concrete bid was also 19 percent under the engineer’s estimate.
Significant Iowa county road lettings show a similar trend, PCA reports. In August 2011, Humboldt County bid 12 miles of alternate design/alternate bid pavement rehabilitation projects. Three different route sections were let as a package due to the proximity of the jobs. The asphalt design included three inches cold-in-place recycling of existing asphalt and a 3-inch asphalt resurfacing. The concrete design specified milling of the existing asphalt to grade and a 4-inch concrete overlay. Six concrete bids were lower than three asphalt bids, with a low concrete bid of $1,792,062. The low asphalt bid was $2,093,006, a 17 percent differential.
More recently, in April 2012, another Iowa county, Delaware County, let six miles of alternate design/alternate bid work on County Road W69. Three concrete bids were lower than the low asphalt bid with a low concrete bid of $1,253,266. The low asphalt bid was $1,362,951, a 9 percent differential.
When designs are at least reasonably equivalent, concrete bids in many states are now indicative of the shift in pavement surfacing initial cost dynamics.
Source: PCA's Executive Report e-newsletter for October 22. For more information, contact PCA's Doug Burns at dburns@cement.org.
With the days winding down in October, NRMCA's promotion experts have already scheduled two Webinars in early November. The first, Streets and Local Roads, is set for November 1. The second, ACI 330 R-08 - The Gold Standard on Concrete Parking Lot Design, follows it the next day, November 2. Time is running out this year to participate in these two key Webinars. Click on the links below to learn more or contact NRMCA's Jessica Walgenbach at jwalgenbach@nrmca.org.
OPERATIONS, ENVIRONMENTAL, SAFETY & HR
The industry’s premier driver training program is online and totally self-directed so a supervisor or company trainer is not needed. Instead, NRMCA's Concrete Delivery Professional Certification (CDP) Program is lead by a voice-over instructor whose words are seen in subtitles that support drivers with reading or hearing difficulties. Its design allows mixer drivers access through NRMCA’s Web site at any time, using any internet connection.
Each lesson is just 20 minutes long so a learning module can fit between loads or can be spontaneously accessed on slow or bad weather days at the plant. Lessons also have a stop/start feature, making CDP participation adaptable to a driver’s ever-changing work schedule. For more support, CDP-Online directly coordinates with an optional textbook.
Exams are online as well, so the requirement for a third-party proctor has been eliminated, saving your company time and money. Finally, the price has not increased since its initial launch yet the material and delivery system are state-of-the-art. With producers’ need to have cost-effective skill reinforcement for their remaining driving pool, CDP Online gives your frontline representatives the advantage of being the most efficient, skilled and productive driving force representing your business.
For information, contact NRMCA’s Shawnita Dickens 1-888-84-NRMCA, ext. 1154 or by e-mail, sdickens@nrmca.org.
NRMCA’s Plant Manager Certification is specified for all batchmen on federal contract projects. With just the December 11-14 class in Denver remaining for 2012, do not get placed in the position of winning a contract in early 2013 but not having a batchman certified because NRMCA’s certification schedule doesn't coincide with the start of your contract. Plan ahead! Registration is still open for Denver; the next class is not scheduled until August 11-13, 2013, in metro Washington, DC.
Click here for more course information, including staff contact.
SUSTAINABILITY
Next month, on Monday, November 12, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern time, NRMCA will present a Webinar on Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs). EPDs are third-party verified (certified) reports published by product manufacturers that provide quality assured and comparable information regarding environmental performance of their products or service.
With the proliferation of eco-labels and green certifications worldwide, determining a product’s environmental attributes can be confusing. Well-established in other parts of the world, EPDs are starting to appear in the U.S. as the common methodology for assessing the potential environmental performance of a product or process. The U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED v4 Rating System and Architecture 2030 for Products are starting the demand for EPDs.
Join NRMCA for an informative 1 1/2 hours as it offers a brief overview of EPDs, the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) that supports it and the Product Category Rules (PCRs) that sets the ground rules for it. In addition, the Webinar will discuss NRMCA’s EPD Program, which enables concrete producers to meet the new requirements for EPDs.
Click here for more information and to register or contact NRMCA's Tien Peng at tpeng@nrmca.org or 206-913-8535.
Eight new groups have joined NRMCA and 14 other non-profits, government agencies and corporations to co-sponsor the 2013 International Concrete Sustainability Conference:
• American Coal Ash Association
• American Concrete Institute
• American Concrete Pavement Association
• Bay Area Center for Regional Disaster Resilience
• Concrete Foundations Association
• National Concrete Pavement Technology Center
• Silica Fume Association
• Tilt-up Concrete Association
The 8th annual conference, scheduled for May 6-8 just outside San Francisco at the Hotel Sofitel San Francisco Bay in Redwood City, CA, will provide learning and networking opportunities on the latest advances, technical knowledge, continuing research, tools and solutions for sustainable concrete manufacturing and construction. Researchers, design professionals and 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.
Abstracts can be submitted online at www.ConcreteSustainabilityConference.org through Friday, November 30. For more information, contact NRMCA's Lionel Lemay at LLemay@nrmca.org or 847-918-7101.
Lionel Lemay of NRMCA, representing the Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative (CJSI), presented a 4-point plan for community disaster resilience last week at the Resilient Buildings Workshop in Washington, DC. The workshop, which took place at the National Building Museum, was sponsored by CJSI and co-hosted by the Department of Homeland Security (DHS), National Institute of Building Sciences (NIBS) and the National Building Museum. The primary goals of the program were to:
• Provide a solid understanding of resilience and how it aligns with sustainability;
• Demonstrate DHS/NIBS tools and programs to identify and incorporate resilience criteria;
• Discuss how to achieve resilient sustainable design for all types of projects;
• Show how resilience goals are used to select resilient materials and systems for projects;
• Showcase high-performance materials and their benefits; and
• Collect feedback and engage attendees to gain their insights and improve available tools.
Lemay presented a 4-point plan to ensure disaster resilient communities:
• Adopt a building code at the local level;
• Provide incentives to adopt voluntary "code plus" programs such as FORTIFIED for Safer Living;
• Adopt high-performance resilience standards at the local level; and
• Build with robust building materials such as concrete.
This 4-point plan is the main focus of CJSI’s Local Disaster Resilience Workshops offered in communities across the U.S.
Click here for more details on the Washington, DC, program and to download presentations. For details on CJSI’s local workshops, visit www.nrmca.org/resilience. For questions, contact Lionel Lemay at LLemay@nrmca.org or 847-918-7101.
NRMCA’s Lionel Lemay, senior vice president of sustainability, discussed new product documentation requirements in the upcoming revision to LEED and Architecture 2030 Challenge for Products at the American Coal Ash Association’s fall meetings held last week in Kansas City. The new LEED v4 Rating System and Architecture 2030 Challenge are starting to demand Environmental Product Declarations (EPD) for building products along with other third-party verified documentation with regard to environmental performance.
NRMCA has become an EPD program operator in an effort to help concrete producers and material suppliers meet these new standards. NRMCA will be delivering a similar presentation via Webinar on Monday, November 12, from noon to 1:30 p.m. Eastern time (see above item).
Register for the Webinar here or contact NRMCA's Tien Peng at tpeng@nrmca.org or 206-913-8535.
GOVERNMENT AFFAIRS
If you’re still unsure about which Members of Congress or congressional candidates to vote for, maybe the NRMCA Government Affairs Web site can help. With only two weeks left before Election Day, now is a great time to start finding what your candidates are campaigning about and how they have voted over the past four years.
By visiting the site, you can view every member of Congress’ voting record and how it coincides with the interests of the ready mixed concrete industry. This great tool, called the 111th & 112th Congress Scorecard, lists all the votes both the Senate and House of Representatives have cast on issues of importance to the industry, and then generates a percentage of how supportive each member is toward the industry.
In addition to the scorecard, many other voting needs are available on the Web site as well, such as information on:
Most important though, don’t forget to vote on November 6. Your vote is critical. You hold the power to restore our nation’s economic footing and prop up the ready mixed concrete industry, so make your voice heard!
A host of publications have reported on presidential politics, transportation, infrastructure, regulation, heath care, taxes and other subjects, each of which relate to the ready mixed concrete industry. To access these articles for the week of October 15 - 19, please click here.
If you would like to receive this weekly updated link in a separate e-mail, or if you have questions or comments about the roundup, contact NRMCA’s Kevin Walgenbach at kwalgenbach@nrmca.org.
PRODUCTS & SERVICES
In addition to the monthly Internet Special offered in the item below, NRMCA is also offering It's Up to Us, Parts 1-4 . This four-part DVD series guides ready mix drivers on best management practices for safeguarding the environment. Part 1 explains what environmental regulations are and how following the rules impacts their business. Part 2 covers water and waste concrete: compliance procedures, how they affect the environment, alternative methods and an important definition of pH. Part 3 examines admixtures, chemicals and fuel, including identifying chemicals, the need to check for leaks, three simple fueling rules and who to call in the event of a spill. Part 4 examines how to minimize air pollution, dust and noise.
Order now. The regular member price is $280; Special Price $140.
NRMCA's October Internet Spotlight, good through Tuesday, November 6, is the complete four-part set of the Protection Section DVD series (Parts 1-4). While supplies last, prepare your drivers for the winter training season by purchasing the complete PPE driver training DVD series for half price! Series includes:
• (Pt. 1) Head Protection - This first in a series of four videos begins with a big picture view of the "what and why" of PPEs in general. We then move onto an in-depth discussion and "how-to’s" on inspecting and properly caring for head protection.
• (Pt. 2) Eyes and Ears - This lesson provides information on the five specific types of eye protection and when we should be wearing each one.
• (Pt. 3) Vests and Gloves - This lesson provides a discussion on the three classes of safety vests, their differences and guidance on when each type is appropriate.
• (Pt. 4) Boots - The series wraps up with a look at one of the most abused but most critical pieces of PPE - our boots. Based on the collaborative efforts of Danner Shoe Manufacturing Company, this lesson provides six tips critical to getting the best shoe.
Order online today and receive 50% off. Regular member price is $280, Internet Special $140, plus shipping. Please use Discount Code ISOCT12 to receive the online discount.
CALENDAR
*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.
November 1, Webinar
Streets and Local Roads
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
November 2, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 - The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
November 5-9, Silver Spring, MD
Technical Short Course
Email: Karen Bean, 888-84-NRMCA, x1168
November 6, Webinar
Roller Compacted Concrete: Your Third Choice for Pavement
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
November 7, Jackson, MS
Adopting Disaster Resilient Construction at the Local Level
Email: Tien Peng, 206-913-8535
November 8, Madison, WI
Great Lakes Regional Work Plan Meeting
Email: Nicole Maher, 888-84-NRMCA, x1158
November 12, Webinar
Environmental Product Declarations
Email: Tien Peng, 206-913-8535
November 14, Little Rock, AR
South Central Regional Work Plan Meeting
Email: Nicole Maher, 888-84-NRMCA, x1158
November 16, Webinar
Effectively Communicating Sustainability
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
November 19, Webinar
Biodiveristy at Ready Mixed Concrete Plants
Email: Tien Peng, 206-913-8535
November 27, Wilmington, NC
Adopting Disaster Resilient Construction at the Local Level
Email: Tien Peng, 206-913-8535
December 4-6, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
December 4-6, Orlando, FL
Environmental Professional Certification Course for the Ready Mixed Concrete Industry
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
December 6, Las Vegas
Rocky Mountain Regional Work Plan Meeting
Email: Nicole Maher, 888-84-NRMCA, x1158
December 7, Webinar
ACI 330 R-08 - The Gold Standard of Concrete Parking Lot Design
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
December 11-14, Denver
Plant Manager Certification Course
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
October 4, Boise, ID
Northwest Regional Work Plan Meeting
Email: Nicole Maher, 888-84-NRMCA, x1158
December 12, Silver Spring, MD
Atlantic Regional Work Plan Meeting
Email: Nicole Maher, 888-84-NRMCA, x1158
December 12-13, Doha, Qatar
International Concrete Technology Forum
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
2013
February 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
March 3-5, San Antonio, TX
NRMCA Annual Convention
Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152
March 19-21, Silver Spring, MD
CCSP Module IV: Sales Fundamentals
Email: Shawnita Dickens, 888-84-NRMCA, x1154
May 6-8, San Francisco
International Concrete Sustainability Conference
Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101
May 12-15, Chicago
Fifth North American Conference on Design and Use of Self-Consolidating Concrete
August 11-15, Montreal
ISARC 2013: 30th International Symposium on Automation and Robotics in Construction, Mining & Petroleum Industries
Email: Chantal Murphy, 514-939-2710, ext. 1309
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500 copies-$1,000