In this issue
April 2026 Newsletter 
President's Report
Dear Members,
It’s hard to believe the first quarter of 2026 is already behind us and we’re halfway through spring. Be sure to enjoy these cool mornings while they last—before long, we’ll be implementing Hot Weather Concrete Practices.
Last month’s Dan R. Brown Awards Banquet was a tremendous success, showcasing outstanding concrete projects from across Georgia. Congratulations to all of the project award winners and our 2026 scholarship recipients. I would also like to extend a special thank you to our honored guest speaker, Roy Keck, for delivering an engaging and memorable opening presentation.
In addition, sincere thanks go to Steven Maloof, Derek Brown, Caitlin McCealy, Wayne Wilson, Emily Engel, Mikaela Bowman, all of our sponsors, and everyone who contributed to making the event such a success.
Several members of the ACI Georgia Chapter board recently attended the ACI National Spring Convention in Rosemont, Illinois. It was an excellent event, and our chapter proudly hosted a hospitality booth at the exhibit center—an exciting preview as we prepare to host the ACI National Fall Convention this October in Atlanta. Be sure to mark your calendars and make plans to attend.
We are also proud to share that our chapter was once again recognized as an “Excellent Chapter” for 2025—the highest level of recognition in ACI’s Chapter Recognition Program. This longstanding achievement reflects the dedication and continued excellence of our members.
Looking ahead, we are excited to welcome this month’s luncheon speaker, Ala Eddin Douba, an engineer with the American Concrete Institute. His presentation, “Mass Concrete – How Big is Big?”, promises to be both informative and engaging. We hope to see you there.
Take care, and I look forward to seeing you soon.
Warm regards,
Tom Baggett
President, ACI Georgia Chapter
Our Next Event
Join us April 23rd for our Monthly luncheon!
Speaker: Ala Eddin Douba, American Concrete Institute (ACI)
Presentation: Mass Concrete — How Big is Big?
What qualifies as mass concrete? ACI 207.1R defines mass concrete as any volume of concrete with dimensions large enough that special measures must be taken to manage the heat generated from cement hydration and the resulting volume changes that can lead to cracking.
This presentation will explore how engineers and contractors determine when concrete should be treated as mass concrete and what steps should be taken to prevent potential issues. Attendees will learn how to identify mass concrete conditions, understand the requirements outlined in ACI 301, and review practical construction approaches used in the field.
Topics covered will include:
• Examples of mass concrete structures
• Identifying mass concrete in the field
• Specification requirements
• Factors influencing mass concrete behavior
• Mitigation and design strategies
Speaker Bio:
Ala Eddin Douba is an engineer with the American Concrete Institute and works within Professional Development and ACI University, where he supports both technical and educational committees. He earned his Ph.D. from Columbia University, a master’s degree from the University of New Mexico, and a bachelor’s degree from the American University of Sharjah. His areas of expertise include cement modification using admixtures such as nanomaterials and polymers, concrete rheology, reactive magnesia cement, and 3D-printed concrete.
About the Georgia Chapter ACI Luncheons:
The Georgia Chapter of ACI hosts monthly luncheon meetings throughout the year. These events provide an opportunity to connect with industry peers, earn Professional Development Hours (PDHs), and stay informed on important technical topics affecting the concrete industry.
Schedule:
11:30 AM – Registration
12:00 PM – Luncheon and Presentation
April 23, 2026
11:30 AM - 1:15 PM
The Whitley Hotel Buckhead
3434 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta , GA 30326
Please register by Tuesday, April 21st to assist with headcount planning.
ACI Awards
We had a fantastic evening on March 26th at The Whitley as we hosted our Annual Dan R. Brown Awards Program. The banquet brought together industry leaders, members, and guests to recognize the outstanding ACI Award-winning projects across the state.
This annual program highlights excellence in concrete design, construction, and innovation, showcasing the strength and impact of our industry in Georgia. Congratulations to all of this year’s award recipients for their exceptional work and contributions.
To download photos:
- Click the gallery link below.
- Browse the gallery and select the image you would like to download.
- Click the download arrow located below the image.
- When prompted, enter the password: ACI25
Luncheon Recap
Submitted by: Wayne Wilson
Georgia Chapter ACI
February 2026 meeting report
Preventing Concrete Moisture Failures in New Construction:
How to Specify Protective Flooring, Roofing and Waterproofing Systems
Back in the day when I was in the materials consulting business it seemed as an industry we struggle with this issue a lot. Multiple failed floor coverings due to concrete slab moisture. I always understood a lot of this was related to changes in the adhesives used, as manufacturers switch to less hazardous and/or volatile solvents in their glues. Modern day speed of construction probably didn’t help either…
Dewayne R. Thomas, Founder and Senior Partner of Eco-Spec, Inc., a manufacturer’s representative firm established in 2001, and serves as the National Technical & Sales Manager for Barrier One Concrete Admixtures. Dewayne’s current professional focus includes artificial intelligence applications in the AEC industry, advanced concrete admixture technologies, and high-performance rainscreen wall assemblies. He also enjoys mentorship, by regularly working with college and high-school students, as well as young professionals to promote financial literacy, education, and personal development.
Dewayne opened his presentation by exploring how Porosity Inhibiting Admixtures (PIAs) transform standard concrete into an impermeable, waterproof and vaporproof system that enhances durability, reduces risk, and protects long-term building performance. He illustrated how PIAs can lower project costs and accelerate construction schedules, particularly for flooring, roofing, and below-grade waterproofing systems that rely on stable concrete moisture conditions for optimal performance. After share some project examples he highlighted some of the practical benefits PIAs offer to building owners, architects, interior designers, structural engineers, ready-mix producers, general contractors and subcontractors…emphasizing how PIAs improve performance, reduce risk and deliver more predictable, consistent results throughout the construction process.
Structural Strengthening Workshop
Join an upcoming structural strengthening workshop and explore innovative methods to enhance the durability and resilience of critical concrete and masonry infrastructure.
May 28, 2026 from 12 - 7 PM at Top Golf Atlanta
Workshop Highlights:
• FRP Strengthening for gravity and lateral loading
• Concrete Enlargement using Form & Pump techniques
• Repair of Post-Tensioned Elements
• Masonry strengthening using FRCM composites
• FRP Research, Testing & Installation Demonstration
• Project Case Studies showcasing real-world solutions
• Gain actionable insights, see demonstrations in practice, and learn directly from experts in the field.
Space is limited. Continuing education credits will be provided to attendees. Happy hour/golf includes complimentary tee time, drinks, and appetizers.
Concrete International Magazine Article
To be fair, most of my article choices for our newsletter tend to lean toward the concrete materials and/or testing side of things, as this is my wheelhouse😊. This month one of our long-time members, Martin Cuadra, co-authored a structures article; Calculation of Shear in Beam-Column Joints. A little over my head but a good read…
ACI CODE-318-25 provisions for calculating horizontal joint shear force in beam-column joints of structures assigned to Seismic Design Category (SDC) A and B generally assume moment transfer to the joint is governed by the nominal flexural strength of the beam(s). There are cases, however, where moment transfer is governed by column flexural yielding or where both the beams and columns framing into the joint are expected to remain elastic. Examples can be found in roof joints and in joints with post-tensioned beams whose design is governed by serviceability conditions. Guidance is provided herein for determining horizontal shear force in joints where moment transfer is not governed by beam flexural yielding through an example roof joint between a cast-in-place post-tensioned beam and a reinforced concrete column.
Commentary Provided by Wayne Wilson, Executive Director
Calendar of Events
Thursday, April 23, 2026
GA Chapter ACI Monthly Lunch Meeting
The Whitley
3434 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
11:30 am Registration
12:00 Lunch & Program
Saturday, April 25, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech
Certification Exams
Terracon Lab
Columbus, GA
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Tuesday, April 28, 2026
GRMCA Day of Concrete
The Savannah Golf Club
Savannah, GA
Information: www.gaconcrete.org
Saturday, May 2, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech
Exam Review Workshop
Heidelberg Materials Lab
Doraville, GA
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, May 9, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech
Certification Exams
Heidelberg Materials Lab
Doraville, GA
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, May 16, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I, Strength Tech & Aggregate
Certification Exams
Terracon’s Lab
Savannah, GA
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Thursday, May 21, 2026
GA Chapter ACI Monthly Lunch Meeting
The Whitley
3434 Peachtree Road NE
Atlanta, GA 30326
11:30 am Registration
12:00 Lunch & Program
Saturday, May 23, 2026
ACI Flatwork Finisher
Certification Exams
Heidelberg Materials Lab
Doraville, GA
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, May 30, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech
Exam Review Workshop
Material TEC’s Lab
Lawrenceville, GA
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, June 6, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech
Certification Exams
Material TEC’s Lab
Lawrenceville, GA
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, June 20, 2026
Aggregate & Concrete Lab Tech
Exam Review Workshop
Material TEC’s Lab
Lawrenceville, GA
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, June 27, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech
Certification Exams
S&ME’s Lab
Augusta, GA
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 11, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech
Exam Review Workshop
Material TEC’s Lab
Lawrenceville, GA
8:00 am – 2:00 pm
Saturday, July 18, 2026
ACI Field Tech, Grade I & Strength Tech
Certification Exams
Ready Mix USA’s Lab
Woodstock, GA
7:30 am – 2:00 pm
Sunday-Wednesday, July 19-22, 2026
GRMCA 56th Annual Meeting
OMNI Amila Island Resort
Amila Island, FL
Information: www.gaconcrete.org
Saturday, July 25, 2026
Aggregate & Concrete Lab Tech
Certification Exams
Material TEC’s Lab
Lawrenceville, GA
7:300 am – 2:00 pm
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
