ACI April Newsletter 
President's Report
Hope everyone is doing well, recovered from Spring Break and looking forward to summer vacations, I know I am.
A major event for us here in Metro Atlanta this past week was the big I-85 Interstate fire over Piedmont Road. This small stretch of Interstate Highway handles 250,000 cars daily and it is now gone! Without this little 350’ stretch of road those 250,000 cars are now forced out onto all our other, already overcrowded, highways. I think this really illustrates how fragile and on the edge our current metro transportation network is here. Our DOT Commissioner estimates 10 weeks or the middle of June before the damaged sections can be replaced. Which, if you think about it, is pretty remarkable? Replacing 10 lanes of elevated highway from the ground up in 10 weeks! I doubt steel girders could even be fabricated in that short period of time, let alone set in place and a cast deck installed. Concrete is the only building material in the world that is up to the challenge! In the meantime just know that I-285, I-75, I-20 and GA 400 will all be a mess. We all need to take a deep breath, be patient and plan for extra travel time for where ever we go.
On another related note, I ran across a recent article from an internet web site; Daily Commercial News that was touting an article from the Swiss Federal Laboratories for Materials Science and Technology and the Institute for Building Materials. It appears they have filed for patents for concrete which reduces fire spalling through the use of super-absorbent polymers (SAP) and polypropylene fibers (PP). Would this have reduced the potential failure of the I-85 bridge collapse? Maybe. Interesting stuff out in the world of concrete materials. Looking back at what actually did happen, I think it is a real testament to the strength, durability and safety of concrete that; even in the face of such a horrific fire the concrete structure stayed in-place long enough for people to evacuate well before the structure actually collapsed. Don’t think wood or steel would have performed so well?
Look forward to seeing you at our next lunch meeting at the Westin on April 21.
Take care and drive safe,
Wayne M. Wilson, PE
Georgia Chapter ACI, President
Luncheon Recap
We had our second lunch meeting of 2017 this year at the Westin Atlanta Perimeter North hotel, which is where future meetings will generally take place. We had a good group of people in attendance and the speaker, Brett Lord, seemed to have souvenirs for everyone in the crowd.
Our speaker, Brett Lord, is CRSI’s Southeast Region Manager. Brett presented an overview design guide materials available from CRSI, CRSI’s organization, the first uses and development of concrete reinforcing use and history from there.
CRSI has a wide variety of resources in printed material and available on the website. These include analytical tools, field guides, and engineering reports. Some website resources are free. The CRSI Design Handbook has now been broken down into five CRSI Design Guides available at CRSI.org. Likewise, the CRSI Technical Notes are also available there.
Brett gave an overview of CRSI as an organization, including the regional breakdowns and the membership composition. A history of CRSI, starting in 1924, was also briefly discussed.
The main part of the presentation was a very interesting walk through the history of concrete reinforcing dating back to the mid-19th Century in England and France. Different bar deformation patterns were presented as well as the development of the ACI Building Code starting in 1947. It made me feel like a relic since I had designed from exactly half of the editions.
Reinforcing steel grade strengths were also discussed along with metallurgical requirements and the process of making bars both today and in the past. This led into a discussion of rebar types in terms of both deformation patterns again and sizes. Apparently, metric sizes are going away in the near future.
Basic beam theory and mechanics was discussed briefly to answer the question “Why use rebar…”. Placement strategies for rebar were also shown.
The last section showed some brief films on the production of rebar and the fabrication of rebar from straight stock. I found this very interesting, being mostly tied to a desk all day. Some specialty end development anchors, couplers, and form savers were presented and finally, grade 100 rebar and the difference between it an MMFX.
Great interest and multiple questions came for our group. In closing 2017 Vice President Tom Pfeiffer presented Brett the GA Chapter Travel Mug and thanked everyone for their attendance. I am enjoying the rebar-shaped flash drive Brett gave me.
Click here to view the full presentation.
Upcoming luncheon dates for the rest of the year are below:
- April 21
- May 19
- September 22
- October 27
- November 17
- December 15
Our Next Event
Be sure and join us on April 21, 2017 for a presentation by Rick Galloway on Tilt-Up.
Rick Galloway
Vice President
Martin Concrete Construction Inc.
- Graduated in 1996 from Auburn University with a degree in Building Science and Construction
- Joined Martin Concrete in 1998
- Married 21 years
- A father of 5 kids
- Enjoys running, hiking, biking, reading, and music
Martin Concrete has been in business 26 years and is a widely recognized leader and innovator in Tilt-up construction. I personally have 20+ years of tilt-up specific concrete experience. Tilt-up facilities that I have estimated, detailed, and managed include manufacturing, distribution, class A office, institutional, logistics, food and beverage, retail, aviation, and movie studios projects. I take every opportunity to champion tilt-up construction as an economical, structurally efficient, aesthetically pleasing, and cutting edge construction system.
Certification Announcement
ACI Concrete Flatwork Technician & Flatwork Finisher
Date & Location:
Saturday, May 20, 2017
Argos Ready Mix SE Concrete Lab
1511 Ronald Reagan Blvd.
Cumming, GA 30041
Exam Review Workshop ($180):
7:30 am – 11:45 am
Exam Review Workshop is given in English and includes an ACI Workbook ($80 value). For the workshop bring your ACI Workbook, highlighter and maybe something for a light lunch, as the exam will begin shortly after the workshop. For the Exam be sure and bring a picture ID, a simple function calculator and at least two #2 pencils.
Exam Only ($250):
12:00 pm – 2:00 pm
If you signed up for the exam only (i.e. no workshop), registration begins promptly at 11:45 am with the exam beginning shortly thereafter. Be sure to bring a picture ID, a simple function calculator and at least two #2 pencils for the exam. Visit the GA Chapter ACI web site (www.aci-ga.org) for additional information and/or registration.
If you need to cancel or re-schedule an existing registration it must be done a minimum of 5 days before the exam date by emailing Wayne Wilson at ([email protected]). There is a $100 charge if you are registered and do not show up for the exam. Examiner contact information on the day of the exam is Cecil Bentley @ (770) 480-7440.
ACI Structural Materials Journal Article
This month in ACI Structural Journal…..
Reprinted from the, Volume 114, No. 2, 2017 issue of ACI Structural Journal with permission from American Concrete Institute (www.concrete.org)
Keeping in sync with the theme of our March meeting on the history and development of concrete reinforcing, I decided to look into an article called “Assessing Historical Provisions for Bond of Plain Bars” that appeared in the ACI Structural Journal. The articles in the ACI Structural Journal contain information on properties of materials used in concrete, research on materials and concrete, use and handling of concrete, and ACI standards and committee reports.
From the Abstract:
ACI 562-13 permits development and lap splice lengths of historical reinforcing bar types to be assessed using code provisions that were in effect at the time of construction. A comparison of lap splice lengths for plain bars as predicted using provisions included in historical ACI code editions was therefore made to test results from 25 lap splice specimens and 220 beam-end specimens reinforced with round or square bars cast in the top or bottom position. A factor of safety of 2 was assumed for provisions based on a working stress design (WSD) approach. Provisions in all code editions reviewed do not appear to provide adequate safety for bars cast in the top position, while most appear reasonable for round bars cast in the bottom position. The analysis is also discussed in the context of possible construction scenarios that may be encountered when evaluating or rehabilitating existing reinforced concrete structures.
Outside the Cylinder
“Concrete Ships of the World Wars”
I decided to try a new set of news articles that, instead of being new, were a look into the past at some odd ideas and interesting facts of concrete construction. I wanted this to be an “out of the box” type of column, so I went with “Out of the Cylinder” in reference to our testing of concrete. If you find yourself suddenly gaging at the pun, you are probably not alone, but I could not resist…(sorry).
My first topic will be concrete ships, not the concrete canoes of ASCE competitions, but something much larger and more ambitious, especially for their time.
During the First World War, steel production was a precious thing, so there were a series of 12 ships constructed out of concrete. I could not find information on all 12 ships, but the ones I did find ranged from about 250 to 435 feet in length. As an example, the S. S. Atlantus was 250 feet and launched in December of 1918. She ferried troops to Europe and was retired in 1920. She was sold in 1926 to be used as a break water for a pier in Delaware, bit she sank during a storm off of Sunset Beach in Cape May, New Jersey (See photo).
During the Second World War, the idea was “floated” again and 24 ships were contracted to McCloskey and Company of Philadelphia. These ships (see photo) were made in Tampa, Florida starting in July of 1943 and were all of a single class about 335 feet long. Several of these were used as navy stores ships in the South Pacific during the war. Two were sunk as block ships off of Normandy, France during D-Day (future topic – Mulberry Harbors of D-Day), and many others were positioned as breakwaters off the coast of Virginia and other places after the war. Many of these, possibly including the ones at Normandy, can still be seen today.
As an amusing addition, the US Navy had a concrete barge in the South Pacific during the Second World War whose sole function was as a floating ice cream parlor. This barge, which did not seem to have a name, could produce 10 gallons of ice cream every seven minutes with a storage capacity for 2,000 gallons. I could find no information on how big it was or what it looked like, nor what flavors were available, but I hope they had chocolate chip…
Scholarship Clay Shoot
Save the Date!
Location:
Etowah Valley Sporting Clays
619 Sporting Hill Drive
Dawsonville, GA 30534
Date:
Friday, November 10, 2017
We are excited to announce that we will be returning to Etowah Valley Sporting Clays on Friday, November 10, 2017 for our annual scholarship fund clay shoot. Registration is now open on the website. Reserve your spot before they are all taken!
ACI Awards
Submit YOUR Project for next year!
You can now upload project materials throughout the year in your own private folder through Google Drive! Simply contact [email protected] and she will create & share a folder with you where you can compile all your submission materials as you go.
This will make it easy to organize everything throughout the year as you prepare for your submission.
Click Here for Google Drive Submission Instructions.
2017 Project Submission Form.
The ACI Awards Program is your chance to show off your organization's expertise and ingenuity. ACI Award winners are recognized as industry leaders invested in advancing the design and construction of concrete structures.
Submitting your project is an opportunity to:
- Promote your industry partners and share the good work they do
- Share new technologies your organization is utilizing
Award winners will receive:
- recognition in Georgia construction publications
- recognition on Georgia ACI website
- recognition and awards plaque at the annual awards banquet
Eligibility:
All architects, engineers, contractors, developers and industry-related professionals are eligible to enter this competition. Projects to be nominated must have been completed between January 1, 2016 and October 31, 2017 and be located in the state of Georgia.
There is a $95 cost per entry.
Calendar of Events
Saturday, April 15, 2017
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech Certification Exams
TTL Concrete Lab
Valdosta, GA
7:30 am — 2:00 pm
Friday, April 21, 2017
GA Chapter ACI Lunch Meeting
Tilt-Up Concrete Construction
Rick Galloway, VP Martin Concrete Construction
Westin Perimeter Atlanta North
11:30 am Registration
12:00-1:30 pm Lunch Meeting
Saturday, April 22, 2017
ACI Concrete & Transportation Inspector Exam
GA Chapter ACI Conference Room
Atlanta, GA
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, May 6, 2017
ACI Field Tech Grade I & Strength Tech Training
TEC Services, Inc.
Lawrenceville, GA
8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Saturday, May 13, 2017
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech Certification Exams
Thomas Concrete Lab
Atlanta, GA
7:30 am — 2:00 pm
Friday, May 19, 2017
GA Chapter ACI Lunch Meeting
Mass Concrete: How Big is Big?
Robert Howell, PE
Professional Development Engineer w/ ACI International
Westin Perimeter Atlanta North
11:30 am Registration
12:00-1:30 pm Lunch Meeting
Saturday, May 20, 2017
ACI Flatwork Finisher Training & Certification Exam
Argos Concrete Lab
Cumming, GA
7:30 am — 2:00 pm
Saturday, May 27, 2017
ACI Tilt-Up Concrete Technician/Supervisor Training & Certification Exam
Argos Concrete Lab
Cumming, GA
7:30 am — 2:00 pm
Saturday, June 3, 2017
ACI Field Tech Grade I & Strength Tech Training
TEC Services, Inc.
Lawrenceville, GA
8:00 am - 12:30 pm
Saturday, June 10, 2017
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech Certification Exams
TEC Services, Inc.
Lawrenceville, GA
7:30 am — 2:00 pm
Monday-Thursday, June 12-15, 2017
ASTM Summer Committee Meetings
Sheraton Centre Toronto
Toronto, Ontario Canada
Meeting Information and Registration available at:
www.astm.org
Important Note: ACI Training & Exams are for
Pre-registered Persons Only.
**No walk up seating available**
For Information on any of our exams or events go to: www.aci-ga.org