News Detail

ACI Fall Convention Highlights

11/7/2014

A lecture titled “The Millennial Culture: A Challenge to the Way we do Engineering,” and ACI President Bill Rushing taking a “selfie” at the Opening Session - it was evident that this convention was going to be anything but dull.

More than 1,850 attendees and guests gathered for the ACI Fall 2014 Convention in Washington DC, October 26-30, 2014, joining colleagues for sessions, committee meetings, student competitions, personal awards, and networking, in addition to many social events (and even early-morning yoga!)

During the convention, ACI 318-14 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete was officially launched. The culmination of six years reorganization, the announcement was made at the Opening Session. ACI 318-14 now includes more tables and charts, a consistent structure for each member chapter, a dedicated chapter on construction requirements, new chapters on structural systems and diaphragms, and a format that more easily accommodates new topics well into the future.

It was standing room only at one particular session. “How the New ACI 318-14 Construction Chapter will Impact the Industry” attracted many attendees who learned about the specific technical changes in ACI 318-14 that will impact and benefit the work of contractors and the construction industry. The presentation discussed why changes were made to the ACI 318 code, the rationale for the new construction chapter 26, and what the benefits will be for contractors.

James K. Wight, past president of ACI, was honored with a three-part symposium at the convention. The symposium highlighted three topics: Behavior and structural applications of fiber-reinforced concrete; past and current research on cast-in-place and precast beam-column connections of earthquake-resistant frame structures, as well as connections in precast bridge girders; and past and current research on behavior of reinforced concrete flexural members and walls, as well as on structural collapse.

ACI President Sharon Wood chaired the ACI International Forum, a networking event that is held
on Sunday at each convention. The meeting is designed as an opportunity for representatives from ACI’s international partner associations to provide updates on their recent activities and initiatives. Attendees from over 40 countries around the world gathered for this year’s forum.

Student teams were invited to participate in two different competitions at this year’s convention. The Mortar Workability Competition challenged students to create a mortar mixture with optimum flowability and stability, and first place went to Texas State University. The Egg Protection Device Competition challenged students to design and build the highest-impact-load resistant plain or reinforced concrete Egg Protection Device, and to learn about concrete’s sustainable benefits related to durability, impact resistance, and other real-life aspects which an EPD simulates. Universidad Nacional Autonoma de Mexico Team 1 was the winner of this competition. View all winners.

In addition to meetings and sessions, there were opportunities to network including the Concrete Mixer, the Women in ACI Reception, and the Faculty Network Reception. The Student and Young Professional Networking was a chance for seasoned professionals to give guidance to those just starting in the industry, and answer the questions of students. View photos from the convention on ACI’s Facebook page.

ACI’s seventh Concrete Sustainability Forum took place in conjunction with the ACI Fall 2014 Convention. The Forum updated attendees on the evolving landscape of concrete sustainability and structural resilience. The forum was followed by a luncheon with keynote speaker Henry Green, President, National Institute of Building Sciences. Tours of the “Designing for Disaster” exhibit at the U.S. National Building Museum followed the luncheon.

ACI conventions are dedicated to improving the design, construction, maintenance, and repair of concrete structures. Conventions provide a forum for networking and education and the opportunity to provide input on concrete industry codes, specifications, and guides. ACI conventions are open to all who are interested in concrete, aligning with ACI’s strategic goal to proactively gather and share information on transformational ideas, practices, and techniques, and establish strong and productive relationships with external organizations and individuals.

The ACI Spring 2015 Convention in Kansas City, MO will take place at the Marriott & Kansas City Convention Center, April 12-16, 2015. Mark your calendars and plan to attend this gathering of industry leaders from around the world! More information will be available at www.aciconvention.org soon!