News Detail

Keeping Pace with Technology

9/1/1999

The American Concrete Institute was formed in 1904 as the National Association of Cement Users, with a name change in 1913. In its first 25 years, ACI became identified with most of the research work carried on in the concrete field. By 1931, various ACI Building Codes, always established by committee consensus, had been adopted by many municipalities and organizations. Now, adherence to ACI codes and standards is required not only in the United States but also in many parts of the world.

It often seems that ACI documents contain technology that somehow hasn’t found its way to the designer/end user. Granted, change takes time (except in the electronic arena), but our industry often requires years to improve ingrained practices and procedures or to adopt new products and techniques.

Our Articles of Incorporation charge ACI, as a scientific and educational society, to: "...netanize the efforts of its members for a nonprofit public service in gathering, correlating and disseminating information for the improvement of the design, construction, manufacture, use and maintenance of concrete products and structures..." (Italics mine.)

Note that our mission specifically omits promotion of concrete; that is the task of trade associations serving various segments of the industry. But in order to produce documents based on current, viable information, ACI must connect with these organizations and their members to achieve desirable synergies.

An ideal vehicle exists for this purpose—the 88 ACI chapters. They exist to further the educational objectives of ACI and to provide focused support and local networking for members in their communities. They are an excellent means of disseminating information for better constructed facilities. Nowhere is this need for communication and interaction more succinctly stated than in a recent "President’s Message" to the Northeast Texas chapter:

"...yesterday, a set of specifications sent me into a tailspin.

"All too often...we are asked to produce concrete for that state-of-the-art structure; then comes paragraph two and our hands are tied due to unrealistic or, as often is the case, outdated specifications. Education? Face it—our industry is lagging behind its own technology!

"From the designer—to the plant operator—to the truck driver—to the general contractor—to the testing laboratory—to the finisher; each plays a vital role in the end product—quality concrete. If even one of these players lacks the necessary education, what has happened to our product?

"Our own chapter offers a number of (ACI) seminars as well as a basic concrete technology course. The next time you receive a brochure advertising one of these programs, take a minute to think. If you are not able to attend, perhaps someone else in your organization can. Not only will that person and your organization benefit but our industry as a whole. Let’s make an effort to catch up to our own technology." —Gary L. Herron, technical services manager, Redi-Mix Concrete, Inc.

A third goal of chapters emerges: chapter members who are also active in the Institute serve as conduits for grass roots input to their committees. This then completes the education circle, and is essential to its wholeness.

Most of you receiving this publication are members of ACI International. Are you a member of your chapter? A quick call to ACI’s Member Services (248-848-3800) can give you information on meeting places and dates. Or visit our web site at www.concrete.org, click on "Local Chapters," and then your area. There is much to be gained from attending and contributing to programs, meeting and sharing experiences with others in our industry, and strengthening the umbilical cords between chapters and the Institute. The end result can only be advances in "gathering, correlating and disseminating information...for the improvement of concrete products and structures."

Enjoy your local chapter. It’s rewarding, informative and fun...and it helps in the effort to catch up to our own technology.

Jo Coke
President
American Concrete Institute

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