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New Products for the New Year

1/1/2013

As we complete the holiday season and enter the new year, I thought you might be interested in some of the new products from ACI. Our technical, educational, and certification groups have been busy over the last year and have created exciting products that would be useful on your bookshelf, in your computer’s memory, or as part of a training program.

A historic product that has been updated and significantly enhanced is the Reinforced Concrete Design Manual, SP-17(11). This publication, which had been sorely missed for a few years, serves as a quick reference guide for practicing engineers and a learning tool for students and young engineers. The two-volume SP-17(11) is coordinated with the latest edition of the Building Code (ACI 318-11); covers the design of beams, columns, slabs, and footings; and gives explanations and design examples for the use of strut-and-tie models and anchors in concrete. The publication is well-illustrated and contains many design aids, such as tables and charts, which have made it a top seller.

To coordinate with the expansion of SP-17, the Educational Activities Committee (EAC) is launching a new seminar titled "Adhesive Anchors: Their Behavior and Code Design Requirements." This seminar, which will be offered at various venues around the United States, covers properties of common adhesives, tension and shear failure modes, design for combined tension and shear, strength reduction factors, and the importance of achieving proper anchor installation. The preceding topic coordinates well with the ACI/CRSI Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification Program that was developed by the Certification Programs Committee. Installer certification is required by the ACI 318-11 Building Code for certain types of installations and is quickly becoming one of the most popular and sought-after certifications within the U.S. and international construction industry.

EAC has also recently developed a new publication titled "Adhesive Anchor Installer Certification Workbook," which provides educational information on adhesive anchors and their proper installation. This publication serves as the study guide for installers preparing to complete the certification program and also provides an understanding of the important steps and quality checks in adhesive anchor installation for inspectors and engineers. Additionally, EAC has created a new Online CEU program available through the ACI website that gives background information on adhesive anchors and defines installation and inspection requirements to achieve proper performance from adhesive anchors.

Another significant new product is "Code Requirements for Evaluation, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Concrete Buildings (ACI 562-13)," which fills a void in the structural repair community. This publication is the result of a substantial effort by ACI Committee 562, Evaluation, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Concrete Buildings, with coordination and assistance from the Technical Activities Committee and staff. As stated in the introduction, "The purpose of this code is to provide minimum material and design requirements for the evaluation, repair, and rehabilitation of concrete members to comply with the general existing building code." It contains design requirements and defines load factors and strength reduction factors to be used when developing a repair or rehabilitation plan for an existing building.

Also new is the "ACI 301-10 Note Generating Tool," which has been added to the ACI Concrete Knowledge Center in the new "ACI Concete Specification Center" section. This electronic aid was developed to help specifiers address all of the items necessary to properly incorporate ACI 301-10 as a reference specification. The notes generated through the use of this tool can either be downloaded and incorporated into the general notes on structural drawings or used as a checklist of items to address in project specifications.

And although it’s not really a new initiative, EAC is continuing its ongoing efforts to make ACI products available to a wider audience. The Online CEU program has been expanded to include the first Spanish-language reference materials and exams. Also, a Spanish text version of "Shotcrete for the Craftsman" was recently released. This publication and several other Spanish translations of ACI documents can be found in the ACI Bookstore, which is accessible through the ACI website, www.concrete.org.

James K. Wight
American Concrete Institute

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