NRMCA e-news

The Senate has worked past another hurdle in passing a highway bill, voting this past Monday night to now debate the bipartisan, multi-year Developing a Reliable and Innovative Vision for the Economy (DRIVE) Act. The DRIVE Act will provide three years of highway and public transportation investment and six years of guaranteed contract authority to states totaling $46 billion. NRMCA has secured a provision, included in the bill, to make permanent the Hours of Service 30-minute break rule exemption issued by the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) to the ready mixed concrete industry on April 2, 2015. In addition, the language also includes reforms to the petitions process to apply for and receive exemptions from FMCSA which will benefit all sectors of the construction and transportation industry. In order to heighten the importance of keeping this provision in the final bill before a final vote tomorrow, your senators needs to hear from you NOW!
 

As Congress navigates another last-minute scramble to approve funding for the nation’s highways ahead of a July 31 deadline, engineers far-removed from the Capitol Hill gridlock are hard at work improving the stuff that sustains our nation’s roads and bridges: concrete. Technology exists for self-healing concrete, an auto-mending material containing limestone-producing bacteria that activates when wet. The bacteria can lie dormant for up to 200 years, according to the European Patent Office, where the technology is registered.

Take the world's most versatile building material, mix in 21st century technology and some world-class architects and what do you have? Some very interesting concrete-made structures or, as this article states, "...But the aesthetic and atmospheric qualities of concrete architecture are not just about shape-making. It’s about the feel of the material, the light and shadow it creates, its particular sense of "grunt" – or its lightness and delicacy. Concrete can make asymmetry as graceful as symmetry, or turn volumes of space into engrossing mysteries."

If you’ve been in the concrete industry for even a short amount of time, you’re probably familiar with the American Society of Civil Engineers' (ASCE) National Concrete Canoe Competition (NCCC). But did you know that concrete rode the waters long before the NCCC began? With World War II raging on two fronts, U.S. steel resources were heavily committed to providing aircraft and armaments. In 1942, the United States Maritime Commission contracted McCloskey and Company of Philadelphia to build a fleet of 24 concrete ships. Three decades of improvements in concrete technology made this new fleet lighter and stronger than its WWI predecessors, which had been somewhat of a failure. Known as The McCloskey Ships, they were constructed in Tampa, FL, beginning in July 1943 and were named after pioneers in the science and development of concrete. The ships were built quickly and launched at a rate of one a month. They were primarily used as army training ships and as store ships in the South Pacific. However, two were sunk as blockships in the Allied invasion of Normandy.

In December 1948, nine McCloskey ships were partially sunk to form a ferry breakwater off the coast of Kiptopeke Beach, VA. After the construction of the Chesapeake Bay Bridge and Tunnel, the ferry was put out of business; however, the breakwater still protects the beach and provides a home for coastal fish and birds. Of the remaining ships, two are wharves in Yaquina Bay in Newport, OR and seven are still afloat in a giant breakwater on the Powell River in Canada.

A meeting in St. Louis last week brought together some of the most knowledgeable contractors and designers of parking lot overlays, reports Jon Hansen, NRMCA senior vice president, local paving. "The concrete industry has a large number of concrete overlays of asphalt parking lots under its belt," Hansen said. "The time is right to learn from these experienced people the best practices for successful parking lot overlay projects. We were fortunate to have at this meeting the contractor who completed the Pinehurst Country Club overlay project and the contractor who has claim to the largest overlay project in the nation, a school project in Missouri. Also attending was the lead engineer with a St. Louis consulting firm that has designed 18 parking lot overlay projects and American Society of Concrete Contractors (ASCC) Executive Director Bev Garnett," said Hansen.

The information derived from this meeting will be published in a joint NRMCA/ASCC Best Practices-type document later this year.

Beginning this week, NRMCA will highlight one of the companies that has chosen to exhibit at this fall's annual ConcreteWorks conference in San Antonio, TX. The conference is one of the industry's best opportunities for ready mix producers to interact with companies that provide goods and services to the concrete industry. This week, Sika Corporation begins the series.

Sika Corporation of Lyndhurst NJ, is a technology leader with over 100 years of experience in concrete materials and restoration technology. The concrete division of Sika offers a full range of high quality chemical admixtures for ready mix, precast, dry cast and the tunneling and mining industries. Sika's product line includes water reducers, accelerators, retarders, air entrainers and a wide range of specialty admixtures. In the last few decades, Sika has developed various innovative products and provided technical solutions to meet the needs of the concrete industry. Sika's sales and technical offices support our customers nationwide. Please visit Sika Corporation’s Website at usa.sika.com. An NRMCA member since 1949 and an association Super Sponsor, Sika Corporation will be located in Booth 39.

NRMCA and the ready mixed concrete industry notes the death of Mr. James D. Ward of Producer member Rockville Fuel and Feed. Mr. Ward died on July 22 at the age of 79. Rockville Fuel and Feed is a longtime member of the Association, serving primarily the Washington, DC, metropolitan region. Mr. Ward was the husband of Marilyn Mobley Ward; father of J. Richard Ward (Laura) and Steven D. Ward (Kristen); grandfather of Joey, Colin, Lilli, Lindsey and Lucy Ward and brother of Joan D. and Robert C. Ward. Memorial contributions may be made to the Treatment and Learning Centers, 2092 Gaither Road, Suite 100, Rockville, MD 20850.

Click here to post a condolence message and for more information.

The Maryland Ready Mix Concrete Association (MRMCA) has announced the death of member Ron Weisgerber. Mr. Weisgerber died on July 23 at the age of 82. He began working for Thomas, Bennett & Hunter, Inc. in Westminster, MD, in 1962, including as president for 10 years before retiring in 2003. He had also served as president of the Maryland Chapter of the American Concrete Institute for 1989 - 90 and MRMCA in 1981. Click here to read more.

NRMCA is offering its information-packed. one-day course, Handling Concrete Specifications, Low Strength Problems and Mixture Submittals, intended for concrete producers, contractors, engineers and testing labs for the first time online, October 6, 7 and 8 between 11 a.m. and 1:30 pm Eastern time each day. This one-day course will get into code and specification requirements (ACI 318, 301, ASTM C94) governing ready mixed concrete and address many topics, including:

• What are the durability exposure classes in ACI 318 and how should be specified?
• What are the changes in the new ACI 318-14 that are related to ready mixed concrete?
• What are some specification revisions that can provide all around benefits?
• What are the causes for low strength problems and who is responsible?
• What should be on a concrete test report?
• Non-destructive testing, Coring – when and how?
• How to do a proper mixture submittal?

Course instructors are Luke Snell, P.E., FACI, FASCE, Western Technologies and Karthik Obla, Ph.D., P.E., NRMCA vice president , technical services. Producers, contractors, engineers and testing labs will find the discussions on investigating low strength problems and specifications very helpful to address issues that impact partnering, project cost and schedule. Upon successful completion of the course, attendees will earn 8 professional development hours, a certificate of completion and credits toward NRMCA’s STEPS program.

Click here for more information, including staff contact.

NRMCA has announced its new Specification in Practice (SIP) series. This series was developed by NRMCA’s Research Engineering and Standards Committee and consists of short (2 page) information sheets written in an easily understandable "What, Why and How?" format. The first five topics address commonly found high priority prescriptive issues that impact the ability to produce mixtures that are sustainable and attain the intended performance. They were chosen by survey and their frequency of occurrence was quantified by a review of more than 100 currently used specifications. The SIPs can be distributed to specifying engineers by ready mixed concrete industry personnel to improve concrete specifications.

Each specification topic is addressed under these headings:

• States a prescriptive requirement;

• Indicates whether the requirement is mandated by industry standards;

• Discusses the basis for the requirement, either real or perceived;

• Describes adverse implications of the requirement;

• Suggests alternative performance criteria; and

• Illuminate the benefits of using the performance requirements in place of the prescriptive requirement.

NRMCA has just released two new Online Safety Series lessons, Pre-trip Inspection for a Rear Discharge Mixer and Pre-trip Inspection for a Front Discharge Mixer. These two different, comprehensive lessons review the latest daily best practice, seven-step inspection procedure within the regulatory boundaries of FMCSA’s 49 CRF, Part 396. Additional steps are included for rear or front discharge mixer trucks with liftable axels.

To note these introduction, NRMCA members will receive 25% discount through Monday, August 31, for any title in the Online Safety Series Library. They now include: 

• NEW Pre-trip Inspection for a Front Discharge Mixer 

• NEW Pre-trip Inspection for a Rear Discharge Mixer

• Concrete Mixer Truck Backing Accident Prevention Program

• Concrete Mixer Truck Rules for Using a Backing Spotter

• Lockout/Tagout/Tryout in the RMC Industry, Part 1

• Lockout/Tagout/Tryout in the RMC Industry, Part 2

• Working Safely On & Around Mixer Trucks

Each streamed lesson is accessible for individual viewing 24/7 and concludes with a self-check quiz and a personalized proof-of-safety training certificate. Additionally, lessons include an automatic participation log for driver supervisors. The lessons’ viewing window is 30 days. NRMCA members’ price through August 31 is just $75 for 10 participants.

This year’s Environmental Certification Course will be held in Orlando, FL, December 1-3. Course attendees will be educated on industry-specific environmental issues that affect ready mixed concrete production, including the Clean Water Act, the Clean Air Act, discharge permits, stormwater management, the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, solids management, hazardous materials, dust control, recycling, spill prevention plans, air quality management, noise management, environmental auditing, and much more.

Those who should attend include plant managers, environmental managers, compliance managers, executives or anyone with fiscal and/or environmental responsibilities that should know the details concerning your company’s responsibilities when it comes to EPA regulations, the Clean Water Act, discharge permits, stormwater management and numerous other critical environmental matters.

The deadline for submitting abstracts for the 2016 Self-Consolidating Conference (SCC 2016) is this Friday July 31. NRMCA and the Missouri University of Science & Technology (Missouri S&T) are seeking abstracts for SCC 2016 along with the International Concrete Sustainability Conference (2016 ICSC) scheduled for May 15-18, 2016 in Washington, DC. Engineers, architects, public works officials, material suppliers, researchers, academics, students, contractors, and concrete industry professionals are invited to share their research, experiences and accomplishments in advancing SCC and sustainable concrete design, manufacturing and construction by submitting abstracts.

This is the first time the International SCC Conference and the International Concrete Sustainability Conference will be co-located. The primary sponsors - Missouri S&T and NRMCA - hope that combining these important conferences will provide learning and networking opportunities on the latest advances, technical knowledge, continuing research, tools and solutions for SCC and sustainable concrete manufacturing, design and construction.

Earlier this month, NRMCA Vice President of Sustainability Tien Peng joined more than 500 leaders in government, business and academia from the Pacific Northwest and Western Canada at the 25th Annual Pacific Northwest Economic Region (PNWER) Summit in Big Sky, MT. Governor Steve Bullock, Ambassador to Canada Bruce Heyman, Senator Steve Daines (R-MT) and Matt Rose, executive chairman of the BNSF Railway Company were among the over 150 speakers who addressed the legislative and business delegates at the Summit. Key to the concrete industry’s competitiveness in the region were innovations in use of wood products, advancing NetZero energy-efficient building in the region, and sharing best practices for environmental stewardship in light of the impact climate change is having on the region in the form of drought and forest fires.

Media articles on Congress, transportation infrastructure, regulation, taxes and other subjects, each of which relate to the ready mixed concrete industry, are updated each week by NRMCA's Government Affairs staff. To access the most recent compilation of articles for July 20 - 24, 2015, please click here.

The Senate highway bill is inching closer to the finish line after a 62-32 cloture vote limited debate on H.R. 22 (known as the DRIVE Act) on Monday night, paving the way for final passage later this week. The Senate has now started a 30-hour clock on post cloture debate before the final vote will take place tomorrow. It is also important to note that Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-KY) included a two-month extension of current highway funding to keep the option available if the Senate does not act in time before the House goes into August recess. However, he decided to withdraw the substitute amendment on a two-month extension of highway funding on Monday night. The bill provides a six-year reauthorization of guaranteed contract authority to states and three years of highway and transit funding totaling $46 billion.

Monday night’s vote comes after a rare Sunday session where several amendments to the bill were voted on, including repealing the Affordable Care Act, Ex-Im Bank Reauthorization and Senator Ted Cruz’s (R-TX) amendment to block the Iran deal. The Affordable Care Act (49-43) and Iran vote failed, but the Ex-Im Bank (67-26) vote passed. Passage of the Ex-Im Bank amendment is seen as a positive sign for overall passage of the highway bill since all Democrats voted in favor and the White House supports the attachment of the Ex-Im bank to the highway bill as well.

The House has opposed the long-term highway bill; House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) is complicating matters even more stating that it will not take up the Senate highway bill before adjourning for August recess. Late Monday night key House leadership proposed a three-month extension in addition to the already House passed five-month extension of highway funding. Leader McConnell and Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Barbara Boxer (D-CA) have both stated that the long-term highway bill must pass now because the pay-fors will not be available in a few short months. The highway authorization for highways and transit programs will expire this Friday, July 31.

NRMCA is continuing to meet with senators and attend coalition group meetings in order to move the highway bill forward and to final passage. NRMCA, along with members of the Highway Materials Group (HMG), sent letters to every senator who had voted in support of the first procedural cloture vote on the highway bill and also letters to every senator who voted against the motion. NRMCA also urged those senators who voted against the motion to reconsider their position and support any upcoming vote for a long-term, fully funded transportation bill before the latest extension expires on July 31. In addition to NRMCA, members in the HMG include the American Coal Ash Association, American Concrete Pavement Association, Association of Equipment Manufacturers, Associated Equipment Distributors, Concrete Steel Reinforcing Institute, National Asphalt Pavement Association, National Stone, Sand & Gravel Association and Portland Cement Association. In addition, the Transportation Construction Coalition sent a similar letter supporting action on a long-term, fully funded bill.

The Educational Activities Committee invites ready mix producers to submit their company’s most innovative training initiatives for 2015. Companies must submit their entries by this Friday, July 31. The Innovation in Training Award winner will be recognized at NRMCA's ConcreteWorks to be held in September in San Antonio, TX. Additionally, the winning submission will be featured in a best-practices article in NRMCA's quarterly magazine, Concrete InFocus. MTSU's Concrete Institute Management program faculty will serve as judges.

The NRMCA July Internet Spotlight, which will be good through Tuesday, August 4, is Improving Concrete Quality. While there are many books on concrete technology it is hard to find a book that is focused on the subject of improving concrete quality. This book discusses concrete quality measurement as well as the tangible and intangible benefits due to improved quality. This book will be of significant value to concrete producers who will come away with readily implementable steps to reduce variability and attain a more consistent product thereby seeing performance benefits and cost savings.

*Please note that e-mail and direct links to each event listed below can be accessed from NRMCA's Web site.

July 31, Free Webinar

Winning Initial Streets & Roads Projects in Counties & Municipalities

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

August 7, Free Webinar

Winning Initial Streets & Roads Projects in Counties & Municipalities

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

August 14, Free Webinar

Streets & Roads Elected Official Advocacy

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

August 17, Webinar

Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 1)

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

August 24, Free Webinar

Roller-Compacted Concrete for Streets and Roads

Email: Jacques Jenkins, 240-485-1165

 

August 24, Webinar

Designing and Specifying Pervious Concrete (Part 2)

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

September 20 - 22, San Antonio, TX

ConcreteWorks & Board of Directors' Meeting

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

September 28 - 30, Ontario, CA

Concrete Durability Course

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

 

October 6 - 8, Webinar

Handling Concrete Specifications, Low Strength Problems and Mixture Submittals

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

October 13 - 16, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module I: Concrete 101

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

November 2 - 6, Silver Spring, MD

Annual Concrete Technologist Training and Certification Course "Short Course"

Email: Karen Bean, 240-485-1168

 

November 4, Free Webinar

STEPS A Long Term Career Tool for the RMC Industry

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

November 17 - 19, Silver Spring, MD

Effective RMC Supervisor Course

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

November 17 - 19, Charlotte, NC

NRMCA Safety Course

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

December 1 - 3, Orlando, FL

Environmental Course

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

December 1 - 3, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module II: Customer Business Knowledge

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

December 8 - 11, Orlando, FL

Plant Manager Certification Course

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

 

February 23 - 25, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module III: General Business Knowledge

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

March 13 - 15, San Diego

NRMCA's Annual Convention

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

March 15 - 17, Silver Spring, MD

CCSP Module IV: Professional Sales Skills

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

April 5 - 8, Birmingham, AL

Plant Manager Certification Course

Email: Jessica Walgenbach, 888-84-NRMCA, x1152

 

May 15 - 18, Washington, DC

International Concrete Sustainability & Self-Compacting Concrete Conference

Email: Lionel Lemay, 847-918-7101