News Detail

American Concrete Institute Hosts 9th International Workshop ‘Structural Concrete in the Americas and Beyond’ before The Concrete Convention & Exposition

11/7/2015

Approximately every 18-24 months, the American Concrete Institute hosts a special workshop before its Concrete Convention & Exposition to highlight key topics affecting the industry.  The two-day event features eight sessions, keynote luncheon speakers, and a poster session.

The 9th International Workshop ‘Structural Concrete in the Americas and Beyond’ started Friday, November 6, and wrapped up Saturday, November 7, 2015, segueing into The Concrete Convention & Exposition in Denver, CO, USA. 

The workshop, chaired by Randall Poston, Sr. Principal, Pivot Engineers, was attended by more than 80 participants from across a wide variety of industry sectors including several young practicing engineers. Participants at prior workshops have included more than 100 experts from 21 countries.

“The 318 Building Code as of now is being utilized in 23 different countries, so it is important for the 318 committee to understand the perspective of what other end users have of the Building Code in these various countries,” said Poston.  “This workshop is an important dialogue and exchange opportunity for international users to understand where the committee is coming from, and for the committee to also appreciate international users’ usage and utilization.”

The atmosphere during the workshop was one of comradery as experts from around the world joined together for updates on the industry and latest innovations.  Presenters joked with moderators, called out members of the audience, and welcomed questions.  One presenter even channeled ACI Past President Bill Rushing and took a group selfie before starting his presentation.  The 9th International Workshop successfully kicked off another ACI Concrete Convention & Exposition.

Friday’s sessions centered on the topics of evaluation, damage, and repair of concrete structures. Sessions included:

• Cracking in Concrete Structures
• Nonseismic Repair of Concrete Buildings
• Seismic Strengthening Concrete Buildings
• Nondestructive Evaluation of Concrete

Saturday, the workshop sessions focused on seismic and marine design for concrete structures. Sessions included:

• Simplified Design of Concrete Buildings Using ACI 314-15
• Marine Concrete Structures
• Performance-Based Seismic Design of New Concrete Buildings:  Session II
• Performance – Based Seismic Design (Existing Buildings)

ACI President Sharon Wood spoke during Saturday’s lunch about the importance of international cooperation.  She told of the time she and colleagues visited Chile after the 1985 earthquake, and took her first-hand account back to ACI.

“The 318 Code has changed based on our trip down to Chile.  It is important to implement ideas from other parts of the world into our practice, and I hope these are the discussions you’ll be having during this workshop,” Wood said.

She encouraged the workshop attendees to broaden their thinking and challenge the way they approach problems as ACI continues to work with people from around the world.

Saturday’s luncheon also recognized James Cagley for organizing the first International Workshop and acknowledged the important role he had in creating this tradition.

“I was not expecting this recognition, and truthfully I was not the sole organizer – I just happened to be the chair of the 318 committee at the time,” said Cagley.  “Five of us traveled to South America in 2000 after we determined that ACI needed to do something internationally.  We produced great activity then, and this workshop is still a great activity, and I think it’s great that ACI has continued to host it.”