crsi shop talk december 2012 · as noted in the marketing committee ... members honored the...

Matt Brace CRSI Chairman of the Board

SHOPtalkConcrete Reinforcing Steel Institute

Volume 74 • Issue 4

Chairman’s message

Dear Fellow Members,

Happy holidays! The last time we met, at the Fall Business & Technical Meeting in Chicago, it was on the eve of a historic presidential election. Now the election is in the past and we can begin to look forward to what lies in store for 2013.

We are all aware our business is cyclical. Over the last four years, demand for steel reinforcing bar has been building. In 2013, CRSI members will rise to meet that demand. The rate of demand is yet to be determined, but I believe it will continue to improve in the New Year and beyond.

Now is the time for our investment as members of CRSI to come to fruition. Among other indicators, we will measure it in terms of market share. As noted in the Marketing Committee presentation during the Fall Business & Technical Meeting, we have an opportunity to exploit new technologies and partnerships to make inroads into previously “unpromotable” markets. Our most effective tools to succeed in both the short and long term are our network of region managers, our investment in the educational foundation and the strength of our members. I feel we have the Institute pointed in the right direction and I am excited to see what lies ahead. I hope you are, too.

Thank you once again for having the opportunity to serve you as Board Chairman. Have a safe, happy holiday and I look forward to seeing you in 2013.

ContentsChairman’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 1President’s Message . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2Welcome Aboard! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 2CRSI Honors Bob Brack with First Distinguished Service Award . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 32011 Shop Safety Awards Program . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3Membership & Member Services Committee Update . . . . 4Join Us at World of Concrete! . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 42013 CRSI Spring Technical Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5CRSI Spring Technical Meeting Program-at-Glance . . . . . 5National Marketing & Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6-7Inaugural Issue of fyi Broadcast . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Digital Media Initiatives: Improved Website, RC Concept Launches . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8Committees Meet at Fall Business & Technical Meeting . 9-10Education & Research Foundation meets at FBTM . . . . 10Marketing Committee Recap, CRSI Fall Business & Technical Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11Fall Business and Technical Meeting Photos . . . . . . 12-13Epoxy Interest Group . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14Standards Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 14ACI Fall 2012 Convention Summary . . . . . . . . . . . . . 15-18Bridges Update . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 18ASTM Subcommittee A01 .05 Meeting . . . . . . . . . . . 19-20CRSI Invited to Attend Concrete Seismic Design Workshop . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 20Stainless Steel FAQ Technical Note Available . . . . . . . . 20Regional Reports . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21-29Calendar of Events . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30CRSI Staff . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 30

December 2012

mallory Whaley, editor933 N . Plum Grove Rd ., Schaumburg, IL 60173-4758

Tel: 847-517-1200 • Fax: 847-517-1206www.crsi.org

Matt Brace CMC AmericasCRSI Chairman

http://www.crsi.org

Robert Risser President, CEO

Robert J. Risser CRSI President and CEO

SHOPta lk • Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute2

The Value of CRSIAs 2012 draws to a close and we look forward to 2013, I’d like to thank all CRSI members for your continuing support of CRSI.

The season brings time for reflection, and I am sometimes asked: “What is the value of belonging to CRSI?” For most

members, I believe the answer is that the greatest value for your membership in CRSI is your outstanding team of region managers. They are the front-line delivery system for our extensive promotion and education efforts and our points of contact with the engineering, architecture, contractor and transportation communities.

We have a targeted promotion effort to specifically gain market share for steel-reinforced concrete. Each year, the region managers reach literally thousands of decision makers through presentations at local engineering conferences, exhibits and lunch-and-learn programs. We have also brought innovative online tools for owners, architects and engineers through our RC Explorer and Concept tools available at our website.

In addition to our many other promotion and education activities, the marketing committee has endorsed a plan to specifically target low- and mid-rise buildings, an area that has historically seen lower market share for reinforced concrete. Starting in 2013, we will be teaming up our region managers with the contractor members of the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) to accomplish this at the local level. We are planning a forum on the Wednesday afternoon at World of Concrete where TCA members can meet our region managers and begin planning their promotion efforts in all of our regions.

The region managers have also established ongoing relationships with major civil engineering and architectural programs at area universities. We are frequently asked to present materials on reinforced concrete design, construction and materials to these future specifiers. These efforts are complemented by and coordinated with the expanded scholarships and research fellowships offered by the CRSI Education and Research Foundation.

The CRSI region managers have also added state DOT visits in order to build relationships and help with technical needs. CRSI region managers are there to help with technical issues and troubleshooting with local DOTs.

Over the past five years, CRSI has positioned itself as the resource for reinforced concrete construction. Due to many changes in other industry groups, CRSI stands alone in the industry with a coordinated national and local promotion effort for concrete structures. Your membership in CRSI helps support our efforts to gain market share for reinforced concrete – and a larger market place for members.

Of course there are many other benefits of our long-standing technical committees and publications – including our new effort to develop CRSI national standards, But, in short, the biggest value of CRSI is a full-time promotion professional dedicated to your market area, supported by a world-class technical national staff!

On behalf of your dedicated staff, I wish you and your families a Happy and Safe Holiday Season. Thanks again for being part of the CRSI family.

President’s message

Welcome Aboard!CRSI would like to welcome the following new member:

Great Plains RebarGreat Plains Rebar is a Fabricator located in Oklahoma City, OK.

Ken Mowery is the owner and can be reached at 405-576-3270.

VOLUME 74 • ISSUE 4 3

CRsI Honors Bob Brack with First Distinguished service AwardCulminating in a well-deserved standing ovation, CRSI members honored the contributions of Bob Brack of Barker Steel to CRSI and the industry for his more than 40 years of commitment as the first recipient of the CRSI Distinguished Service Award. Bill Brack with Harris Rebar and Tony Limbardo with Engineered Devices Corp. provided the introductions during dinner at CRSI’s Fall Business & Technical Meeting in November.

Adopted by the Board of Directors this year, the award honors individuals or organizations for outstanding dedication, long-term commitment, participation and leadership in CRSI and the concrete reinforcing steel community. Bob Brack was also named by the Board of Directors as an Honorary Member of CRSI.

Starting in the spring of 2013, nominations for the Distinguished Service Award can be submitted to CRSI by any active member. Nominations will be considered each summer by the CRSI Executive Committee and recipients will be acknowledged at the Fall Business and Technical Meeting.

Category I5,000 or fewer tons per year1st PlaceGerdau - Knoxville Construction Products, Knoxville, TN2nd PlaceGerdau, Johnson City, TN3rd PlaceGerdau, Dania Beach, FL

Category II5,001 to 15,000 tons per year1st PlaceAmbassador Steel Corporation, Waukesha, WI2nd PlaceGerdau, Madison, WI3rd PlaceAkron Rebar Company, Akron, OH

Category III15,001 or more tons per year1st PlaceCMC Rebar – Houston East, Houston, TX2nd PlaceCMC Capitol Steel, Baton Rouge, LA3rd PlaceGerdau, Duluth, GA

2011 shop safety Awards ProgramWinners of the Shop Safety Awards Program for 2011

Most Improved From 2010Category IGerdau - Knoxville Construction Products, Knoxville, TNCategory IIDalco Industries, Denver, COCategory IIIA & H Steel, Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta, Canada

Most Improved from Two Years Ago (2009)Category IGerdau - Knoxville Construction Products, Knoxville, TNCategory IISherwood Steel, Ltd., Edmonton, Alberta, CanadaCategory IIIGerdau, Kansas City, MO

Congratulations to ALL the winners as well as the 28 member companies that reported no accidents for the 2011 calendar year.


Ten members, 23 guests and nine staff attended the Membership and Member Services Committee meeting on November 6 at the Swissotel in Chicago.

Highlights of the meeting are as follows:1. Shop Safety

• John Turner reported the Safety Committee will assess the Shop Safety Awards on possible expansion of categories.

2. Interest Group Reports

• Independent Fabricators (IFIG): Dennis Stump reported that the Group did not meet at the Annual Conference last April, but did have a meeting planned for the following day.

• Epoxy (EIG): David McDonald reported the Group met the day before and discussed the status of membership and dues.

3. Old Business

• Shop Talk Redesign – Steve Hawkins informed the meeting of the task group’s (Jon Kinnistchzke, Bill Brack, Matt Schewe) decision on the new name “CRSI Insider.” There will be a section within the newsletter that will retain the name Shop Talk.

• New Membership Categories – Bob Risser reported on the task group’s decisions not to make any changes regarding the current membership categories. Instead, the Group recommended reinstating the Reduced Dues Program.

4. New Business

• Producer Category – Bob Risser reported the Category levels will remain unchanged but will be revisited after the dues freeze has been lifted.

• WOC/Contractors – John Turner explained the World of Concrete will be used as a platform to reach out to contractors in alignment with CRSI’s new marketing efforts. CRSI will also be utilizing this tradeshow as an opportunity to recruit formwork members. John also proposed a change in the time of the reception to 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. on February 5th, with no objections.

• Reduced Dues Program – Bob Risser explained there was previously a Reduced Dues Program that gave first-time new members a 50% reduction in dues for the first year. This program was discontinued a couple years ago but is being brought to the Board to be reinstated.

• Student Membership – Jerry Schmaltz inquired about offering a discount on national meetings to students. Bill Luken commented on his company’s success with their student outreach and Lee Disbury suggested we have a “reinforced concrete day.” Taylor requested the CRSI staff look into the possibility further.

membership & member services Committee update

Join us at World of Concrete!Register with Us and Save! Join the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute staff at World of Concrete, the industry’s only annual international event dedicated to the commercial concrete and masonry construction industries. This show will be held Feb. 4-8, 2013, at the Las Vegas Convention Center.

We Need Your Help! We are asking for your assistance in spreading the word about CRSI’s special World of Concrete registration code A25. The more registrants who use the A25 code means, literally, more money that World of Concrete gives back to CRSI. What’s in it for the registrants? FREE exhibits-only admission and discounted seminar rates! It’s a win-win! Please tell

your customers, acquaintances and strangers: If they plan on attending World of Concrete, do themselves and CRSI a favor…use A25 when registering. To make it even easier, you can download a flyer that can be printed/emailed.

Simply click this unique “A25” registration link: https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=778&SourceCode=A25

CRSI Reception will be held at the Las Vegas Hotel & Casino on February 5th from 5:30 pm to 7:30 pm.

We hope to see you in Vegas!

https://www.compusystems.com/servlet/ar?evt_uid=778&SourceCode=A25






2013 CRSI Spring Technical MeetingJoin us March 12-15, 2013, at the Tempe Mission Palms Hotel in Tempe, AZ, for the 2013 CRSI Spring Technical Meeting.

Watch your e-mail and mail for detailed meeting information in January. Reservations and registrations will be due by Feb. 8.

For more information, contact Aiyana Lopez at [email protected].

CRSI Spring Technical MeetingTempe Mission Palms Hotel – Tempe, AZ

March 12-15, 2013

Program-at-a-Glance (Tentative)

TUESDAY, March 12, 2013

8:00am – 5:00pm REGISTRATION8:00am – 2:00pm Manual of Standard Practice Working

Group Meetings10:00am – 12:00pm Bars Supports Standard Working Group

12:00pm – 1:00pm LUNCH (on your own)

1:00pm – 2:30pm Coating Certification Transition Task Group

2:30pm – 4:00pm Installers Interest Group

2:30pm – 4:00pm Durability Roadmap Task Group

4:00pm – 6:00pm Technical Committee Chairman (by invitation only)

WEDNESDAY, March 13, 2013

6:30am – 8:00am BREAKFAST7:00am – 5:00pm REGISTRATION

8:00am – 10:00am Material Properties Committee

8:00am – 10:00am Epoxy Interest Group (by invitation only)

10:00am – 11:30am Placing Reinforcing Bars Committee

10:00am – 11:30am Task Group on BIM

11:30am – 12:30pm LUNCH12:30pm – 1:00pm Workshop (TBD)

1:00pm – 2:30pm General Session (TBD)

2:30pm – 4:00pm Independent Manufacturers Certification Committee

2:30pm – 4:00pm Safety Committee

4:00pm – 6:00pm Durability Committee

4:00pm – 6:00pm Sustainability Committee

6:30pm – 7:30pm RECEPTION7:30pm – 9:00pm GROUP DINNER

THURSDAY, March 14, 2013

6:30am – 8:00am BREAKFAST7:00am – 5:00pm REGISTRATION

8:00am – 10:00 am Research and Development Committee

9:00am – 10:00am Epoxy Plant Certification Committee

10:00am – 11:00am Epoxy Fabrication Certification Committee

10:00am – 11:30am Reinforcement Anchor/Splice Committee

11:30am – 12:00pm LUNCH1:00pm – 2:30pm General Session (TBD)

2:30pm – 4:00pm Bar Supports Committee

2:30pm – 5:00pm Reinforcing Bar Detailing Committee

4:00pm – 5:30pm Design Aids & Codes Committee

6:00pm – 7:00pm RECEPTION (Dinner on your own)

FRIDAY, March 15, 2013

6:30am – 8:00am BREAKFAST7:00am – 11:00am REGISTRATION8:00am – 10:00am Manual of Standard Practice Committee

10:00am – 12:00pm Engineering Practice Committee


As we wrap up a very productive year and earnestly prepare for the next, we proudly offer a summary of significant marketing and communications accomplishments in 2012. These accomplishments are all elements of an integrated strategy developed to both inform and support the efforts of CRSI’s region professionals.

Fine-tuning by meaningful measurement has involved several efforts this year to evaluate our progress toward goals first established in 2007 under “Vision 100” and ensure that goals set five years ago remain relevant and adequate in the marketplace we envision today.

Strategic targets confirmed with good progress in key areas as a strong marketing team have been developed and collaboration between marketing and technical programs has greatly improved. Primary concerns for the future are identified as 1) Corrosion Protection, 2) Education and 3) Competitive Activity. Coordinated national and regional promotion plans are in place to respond to these concerns.

Market share goals have been updated based upon current market data widely accepted by industry. Buildings of 1-4 floors in height constitute the largest area of growth opportunity and we have identified region-specific solutions to highlight reinforced concrete competitiveness in these markets.

Coordinated national and regional plans help to ensure that regional efforts are effective locally while supporting broad national strategies. This also enables regional managers to leverage their unique experience and the qualities of their region to meet national objectives in a way no single national program can.

CMs, contractors and architects, in professional practice and on university campuses, have become our primary focus in relationship building and will remain so over the next several years while we maintain existing relationships in the structural and civil engineering community.

Measuring reach and traffic through audience surveys, website analytics, program attendance and participation by design and construction disciplines is providing us with insight into where long-term efforts are bearing fruit. Summaries are reported to CRSI membership at regional and national meetings and will soon be available from the members-only section of the CRSI website.

New digital resources in 2012Expanding digital resources has been the focus of much of our effort in 2012 as we prepare CRSI to exploit new technologies and trends to interact with the most productive audiences efficiently. Some key accomplishments:

A targeted database now includes a much larger share of electronic communications addresses for contacts and focuses attention on centers-of-influence in reinforced concrete decision-making. Leaders at top-tier firms in all relevant design and construction disciplines are now included as a resource for regional relationship-building.

A recreated website now welcomes our target audiences with fast access to information and technical resources geared to their needs. The new site encourages exploration and is more intuitive to use for our diverse audiences (owners, architects, engineers, contractors, universities…)

A quarterly newsletter, delivered electronically, now opens the lines of communication with our many public audiences with timely articles of interest to all those who influence reinforced concrete market share. Articles are authored by CRSI staff as well as university partners, allied associations and professionals engaged in reinforced concrete design and construction.

National marketing & CommunicationsBy Steven R. Hawkins, Sr. AIA National Marketing Director & Dave Mounce, Director of Communications


Explorer 2.0 expands upon the successful 2011 launch of RC Explorer with a web-based and print update that now incorporates milestones of historical significance valued by educators and inspirational to seasoned professionals. View the new Explorer at http://explorer.crsi.org/.

Concept 1.0 debuted with the launch of three promised phases of an exciting new online conceptual floor system evaluation tool – all ahead of schedule. This new tool complements Explorer with the ability to quickly compare the appropriateness and cost-effectiveness of comparable concrete structural systems. View CRSI Concept at http://concept.crsi.org/.

Links to social networks, including Facebook, LinkedIn and Twitter, now serve CRSI (and our members) to broadcast information of interest to new audiences who increasingly depend on these networks to scan and share thoughts on topics of special interest to them.

Communications analytics now provide CRSI with useful data on how our interactive communications tools are being received and utilized by our audiences. This information will enable us to continuously improve our public communications and web-based tools.

New audiences soughtWinning acceptance with new audiences is critical to expanding our circle of influence and achieving market share goals. There are encouraging signs very early that we are making very good progress:

A valuable new partnership with contractors has been initiated as CRSI and the Tilt-Up Concrete Association (TCA) agree to explore a cooperative promotional program nationwide. This effort directly serves our strategic interest in contractor relationships and leverages an efficient system for buildings categories where market share growth is most promising.

Important political advocacy in recent years has improved our members’ collective influence at the national level as significant budgetary and regulatory legislation is

considered. CRSI has taken a proactive posture in concert with our members to bring needed attention to our industry’s concerns.

CRSI has won honors for Explorer at the 2012 National Marketing Awards Competition conducted by the Society for Marketing Professional Services. SMPS represents the interests of marketing executives and coordinators among architectural, engineering and construction firms and recently featured Explorer on the cover of their Awards Annual magazine.

Georgia Tech embraced Explorer by creating a research and design studio course, incorporating the tenets of Explorer, involving a rare collaborative program of study between colleges of architecture and engineering.

Spanish language editions involving translations of CRSI’s popular ASTM Standard Bar Cards and Placing Reinforcing Bars guidebook enables CRSI to reach a new and growing audience of reinforcement placers in the field with authoritative technical information.

Looking ahead to 2013We have several important initiatives planned for 2013 that will build upon the accomplishments of this year and bring us closer to our “Vision 100” goals. Look for detailed information on these programs after the first of the year:

A new CRSI Honors program will recognize leadership and innovation in all areas of influence in reinforced concrete design and construction.

A resilience campaign that highlights the cost-effective contribution reinforced concrete can make to building threat-resistant structures. Also featured is safe-harbor for critical facilities (schools, hospitals, etc.) and fast re-occupancy after natural threat events.

Contractors will be the focus at key events in 2013 including the World of Concrete, Design-Build Association Convention, AIA Convention and American Council of Engineering Consultants. All of these venues attract a broad range of interests and decision-makers beyond those who already consider themselves “friends of reinforced concrete.” This, of course, is in addition to a focus on contractors, architects and universities on a regional basis.

A new partnership with TCA will highlight our mutual strengths in target markets.

http://explorer.crsi.org

http://concept.crsi.org


CRSI’s fyi e-newsletter was launched in November with mailings to both the Membership and the general A/E/C community of more than 12,800 names. The objective of the primarily “external” newsletter is to maintain and retain a relationship with our industry audiences by providing timely news and useful information. In doing so, the newsletter drives traffic to the new CRSI website.

As this issue goes to publication, the external open rate for the first issue is at 21.05%. In comparison, the average open rates for newsletters can vary from 8% to 30% depending on factors such as list integrity, newsletter frequency and type (retail, B2B, survey, etc.). The unsubscribe rate is at .45%. As we anticipated, it appears that our A/E/C community found fyi to be a useful resource.

Inaugural Issue of fyi BroadcastBy Steven R. Hawkins, Sr. AIA National Marketing Director & Dave Mounce, Director of Communications

Digital media Initiatives: Improved Website, RC Concept launchesBy Steven R. Hawkins, Sr. AIA National Marketing Director & Dave Mounce, Director of Communications

In October, CRSI launched the augmented public website at www.crsi.org. The new site places emphasis on the external audience and provides portals for specific visitor types, Owner, Architect, Engineer, Builder and Student. The site also features a redesigned site template for easier navigating, event promotion and a focus on CRSI’s online tools; RC Explorer and RC Concept.

RC Explorer, launched in early 2011, is an online resource for owners and development teams to evaluate the economy and

many benefits of reinforced concrete building systems. RC Concept takes that process to the next level by providing design and construction teams with fast access to early comparative evaluation and estimates for the

most popular reinforced concrete structural floor systems. The ability of CRSI’S Concept to offer quick comparisons early in conceptual design helps keep reinforced concrete systems “in the mix” and underscores the value benefits of reinforced concrete in general. As with Explorer, users create a login and can save their “concepts” upon completion. They also have the option of comparing concepts in order to perform cost summaries and comparisons. Concept will be heavily promoted at World of Concrete in 2013.

http://www.crsi.org


Committees meet at Fall Business & Technical meetingBy CRSI Technical Department Staff

Manual of Standard Practice CommitteeThe various task groups within the committee continue working hard on preparing draft Standards and Guidelines, based on the current “Manual of Standard Practice” and expanded where necessary. The goal of all the task groups is to ballot their material in time for discussion at the 2013 Technical Meetings in March. The Bar Supports Committee has completed their preparation of the draft Standard on Reinforcement Supports. The document was concurrently balloted before both the Bar Supports Committee and the Manual of Standard Practice Committee in November. The aim is to have the first CRSI standard finalized in time to be referenced by the next edition of ACI 301, “Specifications for Structural Concrete.” The Bending Bar Report Task Group has completed their draft document, “Bend Shapes for Concrete Reinforcing Steel.” The document covers various aspects of fabricating reinforcing bars, including typical bend shapes, standard hooks, bend diameters, measuring points and fabrication tolerances. Following a short review period, the document will be balloted before the Committee. A guide for welded wire reinforcement was prepared by Brett Moran, which will be reviewed and balloted prior to the next meeting.

Placing Reinforcing Bars CommitteeThe committee briefly discussed the upcoming Canadian and Spanish versions of “Placing Reinforcing Bars.” Work is continuing on preparing an abridged Canadian version and balloting should begin early next year. Balloting has been completed on the Spanish placing book and its publication should be early next year. The committee discussed the latest draft of “Field Inspection of Reinforcing Bars,” which is meant to be a companion publication to the placing book. Because a major component of the new publication is the collection of mill bar markings and the mills are currently switching over to inch-pound markings, it will not be released until early 2014. The latest draft of the Dropped Bars technical note was included with the meeting agenda and several helpful comments were offered. The draft will be updated accordingly and will eventually be balloted before the committee. Lyle Sieg led discussion of the Harris Guidance letter which presented fall protection recommendations for climbing walls. Part of the internal study by Harris was to conduct drop tests with a 250-pound weight to simulate various fall arrest scenarios.

Reinforcement Anchorages and Splices CommitteeTask groups within the committee have prepared two draft technical notes, one a FAQ on headed bars and another FAQ on mechanical splices. Both drafts have been balloted through the committee and several pages of comments were received. CRSI staff will take the first cut at responding to the comments, which will then be forwarded to the task groups for review. A third draft technical note, concerning the staggering of lap splices, will be soft-balloted after staff has reviewed the draft. A task group, charged with

preparing a mechanical splice exhibit for the Institute’s region managers, gave a progress report. A new task group was formed to study the current “Reinforcing Bars: Anchorages and Splices” and to prepare a list of proposed revisions for discussion at the next committee meeting.

Reinforcing Bar Detailing CommitteeThe committee is nearing completion of updating the current 2000 “Reinforcing Bar Detailing” textbook. Since the last committee meeting, Chapters 16 and 17 have been balloted and responses are being prepared. All that remains is Chapters 13 (Detailing Practices), 18 (Columns), 19 (Floor and Roofs) and the Glossary. Chapter 18 is ready for ballot now and Chapter 19 should be ready to ballot early in 2013. Several members of the committee have also been busy on the Manual of Standard Practice Committee in preparing draft Standards and Guidelines on detailing and fabrication. A task group gave an update report for errata on the DVD Detailer Training Program and the following discussion included the future of the training program. The task group will prepare a survey in order to gage interest from all licensed users in updating the program and adapting it to run on the Internet.

Research and DevelopmentThe committee heard a research update from graduate student Brian Richter and Dr. Santiago Pujol from Purdue University on their project, “Tension Lap Splicing of Reinforcing Bars in Thin Members.” They reviewed the project testing and the conclusions they have reached. In addition, Dr. Rudy Seracino of North Carolina State University was in attendance and gave a brief report on the initial progress of their project. His project is just getting started and is entitled “The Reassessment of Bend Diameters for Reinforcing Bars.”

The R&D Committee considered a project proposal on slender column research starting at Purdue University under Dr. Robert Frosch. The committee recommended the Foundation contribute $10,000 to the project to match similar donations from the ACI Foundation and Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute. The meeting concluded with the committee reviewing the present list of research needs and making additions / deletions to the list.


DurabilitySteve Tritsch is the chairman of the Durability Committee, which is working on a guide document to detail the requirements for using various types of specialty and corrosion resistant reinforcing bars. The task group that was established to draft the guide, under the guidance of Kevin Cornell, will be submitting it for ballot within the Durability Committee in early 2013. At the meeting, another task group to be led by Catherine Houska was established with the aim of developing a strategic plan for the next five years for durability of steel-reinforced concrete. This strategic plan will include, but is not limited to, input on tests, publications, research needs and specifications.

Epoxy Coating The Epoxy Coating Plant subcommittee is completing a standard for straight bar coating lines and will begin work shortly on the standard for custom bar coating lines. The standard (“Standard Practice for Epoxy Coating Plant: Straight Bar Lines”) and associated test methods will be sent to the Standards Development Committee after receiving the edits that resulted from the ballot comment discussion at the meeting. Mike Barrett is the chairman of this subcommittee. In related news, the Board of Directors approved an increase in

certification fees for 2013. Certified plants will receive a letter outlining the new certification fees.

Epoxy Fabrication Mike Barrett is the chairman of this subcommittee as well. The subcommittee sent the standard for fabrication of epoxy-coated steel reinforcing bars (“Standard Practice for Epoxy-Coated Steel Reinforcing Bar Fabrication Facilities”) to the Standards Development Committee earlier this year. Discussions at the meeting focused on initiating this certification program in the coming year and the steps needed to accomplish this task.

Independent Manufacturer’s Certification The Independent Manufacturer’s Certification Committee is developing a document entitled “Procedures for the Development and Maintenance of Manufacturing Certification Programs,” which will outline administrative procedures for CRSI’s certification programs. During the meeting, comments received from a soft-ballot in September were reviewed and discussed. The document is being written following ANSI requirements in anticipation of CRSI applying to become an accredited certification body in the coming year. Brice Wager is the chairman of this committee.

education & Research Foundation meets at FBTmBy Neal Anderson, PE, SE, FACI, FPCI, Foundation Secretary

The CRSI Education & Research Foundation met at the annual CRSI Fall Business and Technical Meeting in Chicago. In addition to reviewing the normal business items of the financial reports and fundraising efforts, the following were notable highlights of the meeting:

1. Bob Brack of Barker Steel was named an Emeritus Director for his many contributions to the Foundation and the Board.

2. The Board approved awarding a $10,000 graduate research sponsorship to Purdue University for the study of slender concrete columns. (Slender columns are controlled by their geometry, such that their cross sectional area is small in proportion to their length. Slender columns will buckle before the concrete crushes or the steel reinforcement yields.) Funding of the project was recommended by the R&D Committee.

Briefly, current provisions in the ACI 318 Building Code for column design can restrict practice, resulting in larger columns than in the past. There is a need for more accurate and reliable slenderness analysis and design procedures. While design for column slenderness was not as prevalent in the past, the availability of higher-strength concrete and reinforcement has significantly changed practice, such that slenderness effects are more frequently encountered in design, especially in non-seismic applications. Architectural

designs are calling for increased use of slender columns; however, current design procedures are grossly conservative and restrict economy. Improved analytical and design procedures can significantly increase the application and market for slender columns allowing more economic and effective use of materials.

This project is a pooled fund study, where approximately $70,000 is being funded by Purdue, the Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute is funding $10,000 and another $10,000 is funded by the American Concrete Institute Foundation. In addition, the Concrete Industry Foundation of New York (http://www.concreteindustryfoundation.org) may also be interested in the project, and will be approached about contributing to this project, which impacts design in the NYC market.

As a year-end note, we would like to thank all those members, companies, and other individuals that have made contributions to the Foundation this year. As Emeritus Director Bob Brack has said several times, the Foundation is entering its third generation with some very exciting research project sponsorship in the concrete industry. The Foundation is giving CRSI and its members a mechanism to contribute back to the industry, thus advancing innovations in concrete design and construction for our future. Thank you for your support and happy holidays to all.

http://www.concreteindustryfoundation.org


marketing Committee Recap, CRsI Fall Business & Technical meetingThe presentation held during the Marketing Committee meeting at this year’s Fall Business & Technical Meeting held in Chicago was packed with exciting new initiatives and promotions.

Before launching into the programs planned for 2013, the issue of market data and measurement was discussed. For the past year, CRSI staff have been investigating the possibility of acquiring market data from worganizations other than McGraw-Hill. It was ultimately decided by a market share task group, consisting of both members and staff, that CRSI should align its data with what the American Institute of Steel Construction uses and continue using McGraw-Hill data. In doing so, it will keep an “apples to apples” comparison in which to create and compare reports to what AISC publishes.

Coordinating with the marketing reports overview, Bob Risser provided an update on the findings of PCA, SMA and AIA market forecasts. The discussion moved to placing emphasis on reaching out to our target markets. Currently, CRSI has an abundance of engineering contacts in our database with few contractors, construction managers, architects and students, in comparison. It is an objective of the Region Managers to create a more balanced contact list in the years to come.

The marketing department also presented new digital tools for our “Marketing Toolbox” to aid in creating new/reoccurring traffic to the CRSI website as well as maintaining and retaining our presence among the architect/engineer/construction community. Included is the updated RC Explorer 2.0, the newly launched RC

Concept 1.0, a newly developed external e-newsletter named fyi and the recently rehabbed public website, featuring audience portals for quicker access to information. In addition to the digital tools, we have identified what we believe to be “game changers” that will allow the reinforced concrete construction industry entry into select markets where we otherwise didn’t have a competing product. These new technologies include the voided-slab and slab-cast systems, as well as partnering with the Tilt-up Concrete Association in future promotion.

In order to provide the Membership with information on a more timely basis, a “dashboard” report is going to be posted in the Members Only section of the myCRSI website that will give a quick reference on various marketing measurables.

The current state of legislative items such as the Resilience Tax Credit (HR5829), the future of MAP-21 (transportation funding) and the life-cycle cost analysis between CRSI and state DOTs were also reviewed. Lastly, the cooperative agreement between CRSI and the Federal Highways Administration (FHWA) was covered and is planned to be continued as well as a briefing on our involvement in bridge associations and committees.

Please “Whitelist” the CRsI Domain Name!CRSI staff has recently encountered an issue while communicating with a various Member companies. Some email messages to Members are being rejected or returned as undeliverable. Please “whitelist” (or add to a safe senders list) the crsi.org domain name to ensure you receive communications from CRSI.

This is particularly imperative with Members’ companies who use spam filtering service MXLogic and/or McAfee. We have made attempts to contact McAfee (who owns MXLogic) without any positive

results. Their online documentation, however, instructs their users to “whitelist” domain names that wish to receive email from.

Our IT vendor has verified that the CRSI domain is not listed on any public DNS blacklists and has ensured that the SMTP address is maintained at the highest possible reputation by utilizing methods including both accurate MX and PTR DNS records. Thanks for your patience while we address this issue.


Fall Business and Technical meeting Photos Fall Business and Technical meeting Photos

2012


epoxy Interest GroupDr. David McDonald, PhD, PE, FACI, Managing Director of the Epoxy Interest Group

standards updateBy Neal Anderson, PE, SE, FACI, FPCI, Vice President of Engineering and Danielle Kleinhans, PhD, PE, Structural/Transportation Engineer

The end of the year is a busy time for conferences and meetings. EIG participated in 10 different conferences and meetings during this period.

In October, EIG exhibited and presented a paper at the recent Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Bridge Conference, held in Nashville, TN. Dr. McDonald presented a peer-reviewed paper at the conference titled “Recent Reinforcing Bar Corrosion Tests: A Summary of Two Independent Evaluations.”

EIG also attended the ACI Fall Conference in Toronto and participated in Committee 222, Corrosion and Committee 365, Life-prediction.

EIG gave a presentation on the use and benefits of epoxy-coated reinforcing steel to the South Dakota Department of Transportation in Pierre, SD, as part of an ongoing seminar series on corrosion-resistant reinforcing bars hosted by the Federal Highway Administration.

EIG exhibited at the recent American Segmental Bridge Institute Conference in Miami. This conference was attended by more than 350 bridge engineers for state departments of transportation and consulting agencies.

EIG was invited to give a presentation at the UDOT conference titled “Reducing Concrete Damage through Corrosion Resistant

Reinforcing: an Overview of 40 years of Research and Practice.” This meeting was attended by many UDOT employees and consultants.

EIG was also invited to talk and exhibit at the Western New York 24th Annual Bridge Conference in Buffalo. The meeting in Buffalo was attended by more than 200 bridge engineers and agency personnel. Dr. McDonald gave a talk titled “Recent DOT Studies on the Long-Term Performance of Epoxy-coated Reinforcing Steel.”

The EIG Business Meeting was held at the recent CRSI Fall Business & Technical Meeting in Chicago. This meeting was attended by 38 EIG members, including our newest members from Dimension Fabricators.

EIG met with many members at the ASTM meeting in Atlanta. In the coated reinforcing bar task group, work was conducted to update the ASTM A775 and A934 specifications, based upon a “soft” ballot. Another round of soft balloting will occur prior to the document being sent for formal ballot through ASTM Sub-committee A1.05. Please let EIG know if you would like to participate in this review.

EIG is also an active member of the National Concrete Bridge Council, which, along with CRSI met with the FHWA regarding their long-term bridge program and research at the Federal Highway Administration.

Standards CommitteeJust before the Thanksgiving holiday, CRSI was notified that the ANSI Executive Standards Council’s Subcommittee on Accreditation had completed its review of CRSI’s procedures / response to staff comments. There was another issue raised by the subcommittee’s review, and CRSI made a minor change to address the concern. Apparently our application information will be forwarded to the full ANSI Executive Standards Council for a final approval ballot shortly. We are hoping to hear the results from ANSI by the end of January.

Draft Reinforcement Supports StandardWork on the Draft Reinforcement Supports Standard continues, as a draft version of the standard is out for ballot. The Bar Supports Committee is presently canvassing a “hard” ballot due this month. The Manual of Standard Practice Committee is concurrently balloting the draft standard, but as a “soft” ballot for comment only.

Once the Bar Supports Committee resolves any editorial comments and negatives on the ballot, the standard

document will be given to the Standards Development Committee for ballot and further processing.

Epoxy-Coated Reinforcing SteelIn addition to the Reinforcement Supports Standard, CRSI subcommittees are working on two standards related to epoxy-coated reinforcing steel. These standards outline the technical requirements for epoxy coating of reinforcing steel on straight bar lines (“Standard Practice for Epoxy Coating Plant: Straight Bar Lines”) and the fabrication of epoxy coated reinforcing steel (“Standard Practice for Epoxy-Coated Steel Reinforcing Bar Fabrication Facilities”). Future work will be conducted to develop a standard for the epoxy coating of reinforcing steel on custom bar lines. The Standards Development Committee will review these documents from the subcommittees for completeness and procedural adherence.

For more information, please contact Neal Anderson at [email protected].

mailto:[email protected]


ACI Fall 2012 Convention summary

(Editor’s Note: The following are the committee numbers and names within ACI with participation by CRSI. The name in parentheses is the CRSI staff or CRSI member who is a voting or associate member of the committee, and prepared the brief report.)

130 – Sustainability of Concrete (Johnson)The committee continues to work on preparing the document “Guide to Concrete Sustainability.” As the field of sustainability continues to grow and evolve, the target for these efforts has been somewhat moving. The document has recently been reorganized and final content additions will be accepted through the end of 2012 only. The goal is to publish the document in 2013.

131 – Building Information Modeling of Concrete Structures (Grundler)

The committee is working on a cast-in-place concrete Information Delivery Manual for industry foundation classes. The draft process map will be balloted by the committee in the next few months. After the IDM is approved, the work on the actual data exchange definitions, or Model View Definitions will begin (this is where CRSI’s BIM committee will need to be involved).

The committee is also working on a BIM video, focusing on project collaboration and clash detection benefits of using BIM. This video will be followed by another focusing on the benefits of BIM at the jobsite and the use of Robotic Total Stations.

222 – Corrosion of Metals in Concrete (Kleinhans, McDonald)

The committee is working on two documents (222.2R “Corrosion of Prestressing Steels” and 222R “Protection of Metals in Concrete Against Corrosion”), with a third document just recently published (222.3R “Guide to Design and Construction Practices to Mitigate Corrosion of Reinforcement in Concrete Structures”). Danielle volunteered to co-organize a session at the Fall 2013 Convention in Phoenix on “Assessing Corrosion Performance of RC Systems: Needs, Testing, and Opportunities.”

301 – Specifications for Structural Concrete (Turner)Currently, the committee is balloting and working through comments to make changes for the next edition, which will be published immediately following publication of the revision to ACI 318. The committee recognizes that CRSI is developing an ANSI consensus

standard on reinforcement supports, and will review the document for inclusion at the next committee meeting as part of the Spring ACI convention.

302 – Construction of Concrete Floors (Gibbons)A new document was issued last year and new sub-committees are getting underway.

309 – Consolidation of Concrete (Gibbons)Jack Gibbons is involved in the rewriting of the chapter on formed concrete surface finishes. He is also tasked with initiating a possible certification program for vibrator operators via ACI. This has become a big issue due to increased congestion problems resulting in poorly consolidated concrete.

314 – Simplified Design (Mota)The new “Simplified Design Guide for Concrete Buildings of Moderate Size and Height” is being published by ACI as document 314R-11. A series of one-day ACI seminars will start in the fall of 2013 to help disseminate the information to decision makers.

315 – Details of Concrete Reinforcement (Felder)A task group of Paul Brienen, Tony Felder, Robbie Hall, Dennis Hunter, Chris Perry, Pete Zdgiebloski and ACI staffer Greg Zeisler have been working on modifying the current “ACI Detailing Manual” into a non-mandatory guide. The example structural drawings will be taken from ACI’s Design Case Studies series of design examples, which are available from the Concrete Knowledge Center on their website. The matching placing drawings will either be located (the Design Case Studies projects are of actual building projects) or will be recreated by CRSI volunteer fabricators. Plans are to have the draft ready for ballot by mid-November and to have the new publication released to coincide with the next ACI 318 Code. Subcommittee 315-B continues to develop Forum articles, which CRSI Staff further develop into “Detailing Corner” articles which are published every other month in ACI’s Concrete International magazine.

318 – Structural Concrete Building Code (Anderson)To date, 11 ballots have been canvassed this year; one more ballot will be forthcoming by year’s end. Many of the 318 subcommittees worked on ballot resolution at the convention, and several issues were brought to the main floor of the committee.

One of the biggest issues being faced by the committee is what to do with the new Chapter 23. This chapter is titled “Construction Documents and Construction and Inspection Requirements.” This chapter is an attempt to collect into a

This fall’s ACI 318 reception for committee, subcommittee and liaison members was held at Quinn’s Restaurant, a short walk from the main convention activities.


single location all construction and inspection requirements that had previously been scattered throughout the Code. The August 2012 draft of the chapter was written from the perspective of instructions to the Licensed Design Professional for construction requirements to be incorporated into the construction documents. This approach is based upon the belief that if these construction requirements are important enough to be included in the Code, then the LDP should explicitly assign them to the contractor. The implication is that contractors need not meet the requirements of the Code, only the construction documents. The LDP is responsible for including all applicable requirements in the construction documents. This approach is in line with the recommendations of the ACI Committee 132 on Responsibility.

The August 2012 draft of the chapter drew many negatives, as the audience for the chapter was unclear and varied throughout the chapter. ACI 318, Subcommittee A, General, Concrete, and Construction, subsequently received new direction from the steering committee on the chapter and will reformulate the whole chapter for a new ballot.

CRSI will keep the membership apprised of this chapter as it is finalized and made ready for public comment. Many of the provisions will likely impact our detailer, fabricator and placer members.

329 – Performance Criteria for Ready Mixed Concrete (Gibbons)

This is ACI’s newest committee and represents the industry’s progression into the 21st Century. The new document has recently been approved by TAC and is now available in print (ITG-8R-10: Report on Performance-Based Requirements for Concrete). We will begin forming sub-committees to start on the next version.

343 – Concrete Bridge Design (Kleinhans)The committee is currently working on three documents, although progress on each has been relatively slow. For

ACI 343.1R-12, “Analysis and Design of Reinforced and Prestressed-Concrete Guideway Structures,” has been completed and will be published this year. For ACI 343R-95, “Analysis and Design of Reinforced Concrete Bridge Structures,” the committee is working on coordinating the new document’s table of contents with completed chapters so far. The third document began as ITG-3-04, “Report on Bridge Decks Free of Steel Reinforcement,” and has evolved into a state-of-the-art report on bridge deck design.

349 – Concrete Nuclear Structures (Felder)Code Requirements for Nuclear Safety-Related Concrete Structures (ACI 349-13) and Commentary is presently out for public comment, as this is an ACI Standard. The committee will be addressing the public comments in the early part of 2013.

350 – Environmental Engineering Concrete Structures (Felder)

The Committee continues to update its 350-06 Code, which is based on the ACI 318-02 Code. Updates include revisions made in the 318-05 and 318-08 Codes. Plans are to have the revised 350 Code balloted and ready for ACI TAC review by early 2014. The Committee has also decided that subsequent 350 Codes will be dependent-based on ACI 318, rather than independent-based. This action will permit the committee to better concentrate on issues unique to environmental engineering structures.

355 – Anchorage to Concrete (Anderson)The committee had a number of items on the agenda. A status update was given on the adhesive anchor certification program and the Adhesive Anchor Qualification Standard (ACI 355.4). An update on a new qualification procedure for screw anchors was presented, as well as design criteria for inclusion in ACI 318-17. The design criteria were presented in a technical paper published in the summer of this year.


360 – Design of Slabs on Ground (Gibbons)The committee is beginning work on the next document revision. The bulk of the meeting was with subcommittees discussing ideas for proposed revisions to current document.

362 – Parking Structures (Gibbons)This committee is very active, particularly related to durability and construction. Jack has been tasked with writing a tech note on rapid cycle PT construction and is also on a subcommittee reviewing the use of supplementary cementitious materials for parking decks.

365 – Service Life Prediction (McDonald)This committee continues to prepare a document on the state-of-art of service life prediction. This prediction document outlines methods to predict deterioration caused by many factors, including corrosion, sulfate attack and freeze-thaw.

369 – Seismic Repair and Rehabilitation (Beres)Committee discussed various repair reports including drafts on modeling parameters, material provisions, columns, walls and joints.

374 – Performance-Based Seismic Design of Concrete Buildings (Beres)

In a session attended by more than 100 people, committee members and many prominent engineers commemorated the 50th anniversary of the publication of a seminal PCA book that had set the stage for modern seismic design in the U.S. The focal point of the committee meeting was the discussion on two task group documents. One report was aimed at developing a widely applicable protocol for laboratory and field testing and damage collection of structures. This report is at an advanced stage of review. The other report targets the often controversial methodology of analysis, design and assessment of reinforced concrete shear wall structures. The exhaustive discussion has focused on the integration of multi-level criteria interfacing with current building codes. In addition, other possible document plans were discussed that would address shear wall reliability design and modeling, non-linear parameters for moment frames and walls and applying ASCE 7-10 acceptance criteria for concrete members in new buildings. Committee is planning two sessions approved for the Fall 2013 Convention.

408 – Development and Splicing of Deformed Bars (Felder)

Committee 408 had submitted proposed revisions to the ACI 318 Code concerning staggering requirements of mechanical splices and removal of the so-called “Type Zero” mechanical splice. The item was balloted by ACI Committee 318 with a number of negatives received. A task group, headed by Lou Colarusso, will assist

Subcommittee 318-B in addressing the ballot comments. The Committee is also in the initial stages of updating its flagship publication, “Bond and Development of Straight Reinforcing Bars in Tension” (ACI 408R-03), which provides the basis of the straight bar tension development requirements in Chapter 12 of the ACI 318 Code. Member Tony Felder heads the TG charged with updating Chapter 3, “Descriptive Equations.”

437 – Strength Evaluation of Existing Structures (Kleinhans)

The committee is working to address comments received during the public comment period for the load-testing standard that will be referenced by 562 (Evaluation, Repair, and Rehabilitation of Concrete Buildings). The “classic” 24-hour load test from ACI 318 Chapter 20 is included along with a cyclic load testing procedure that was published previously in a guideline document by 437 (ACI 437.1R-07).

439 – Steel Reinforcement (Felder, McDonald)The Committee is in the final stages of readying its new draft publication, “Guide to Welded Wire Reinforcement,” for balloting. The Committee also discussed plans for maintaining the ITG-6 document, “Design Guide for the Use of ASTM A1035/A1035M Grade 100 (690) Steel Bars for Structural Concrete.”

440 – Fiber Reinforced Polymer Reinforcement (Kleinhans)

Committee 440 is a large and very active committee within ACI. Of particular interest to CRSI members would be that the committee is considering a standard document for FRP reinforced concrete (to date they only have a guidelines document) and is currently working on accelerated protocols for durability of FRP reinforcement for concrete.

551 – Tilt-Up Concrete Construction (Johnson)The committee is preparing to issue a final ballot for revisions to the document “Tilt-Up Concrete Construction Guide.” Chapter champions are reviewing negative comments for resolution. The committee hopes to ballot the document in early 2013 for publication soon after.

560 – Insulated Concrete Forms (Beres)Ballot process started for some introductory chapters of a Guideline Document that the committee is in the process of writing. We have learned that the trade association of the ICF industry had folded into the association of expanded polystyrene manufacturers. With John Turner, we have suggested to the group that they explore aligning themselves with CRSI. The committee is planning multiple sessions approved for the Fall 2013 Convention

C680 – Adhesive Anchor Certification (Anderson)At the Toronto meeting, members of the ACI Certification department reviewed the present program status. They


National Concrete Bridge CouncilRepresentatives for the National Concrete Bridge Council assembled Dec. 5 and 6 in Washington, D.C., to discuss issues of importance to the concrete bridge industry and coordination with the Federal Highway Administration. Topics of discussion included material specifications, certification, accelerated bridge construction and upcoming conferences. The second day of the meeting is held with FHWA representatives to facilitate collaboration and coordination. Danielle Kleinhans serves as chair of this council.

Long-Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) ProgramTRB Advisory CommitteeThe TRB Long-Term Bridge Performance Advisory Committee met Nov. 27 and 28 in Washington, D.C. Danielle Kleinhans attended the meeting as the organizational liaison for the concrete bridge industry. During the meeting, the committee heard reports on the progress of the program and discussed the direction of future efforts.

Upon the request of the Federal Highway Administration of the U. S. Department of Transportation, the National Academies’ Transportation Research Board has formed this advisory committee to review various aspects of the plans, operations, and interim results of its LTBP Program. This program is a 20-year effort to deepen the understanding of how and why bridges react to age, weather, and traffic; to develop new methods of measuring and evaluating this performance; and through

the application of these methods improve the decision-making tools for maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of the U.S. bridge infrastructure.

Industry CollaborationDanielle Kleinhans and David McDonald attended a follow-up meeting to FHWA’s Industry Day for the Long-Term Bridge Performance Program on Nov. 29 in Washington, D.C. As representatives for the National Concrete Bridge Council, Danielle and David discussed information that the concrete bridge industry could provide to the LTBP program to improve their efforts within the research program. A memorandum of understanding with the FHWA under this 20-year research program to investigate bridge performance is the envisioned outcome of this meeting.

For more information, please contact Danielle Kleinhans at [email protected].

Bridges updateBy Danielle Kleinhans, PhD, PE, Structural/Transportation Engineer

continue conducting a number of training sessions with the ACI Local Sponsoring Groups to train the exam proctors. Several new LSGs have expressed interest in the program given the fact that the ACI Education Department has now produced a training booklet for the program.

ACI will be conducting the certification program at World of Concrete next year.

CRC – Concrete Research Council (Risser)The Concrete Research Council is one of three councils comprising the ACI Foundation. The ACI Board of Directors has approved $300,000 in financing each year for the CRC to hire additional staff to implement a strategic plan for research for the industry developed in late 2011. Under this plan – developed jointly by ACI, CRSI, NRMCA, PCA, PCI and The Charles Pankow Foundation – the CRC will act as a clearinghouse for the industry for

research proposals and coordination. At their meeting, the CRC also reviewed the status of projects currently in progress, and heard presentations about on-going research with other industry partners, including the CRSI Education and Research Foundation and The Charles Pankow Foundation.

ACI Fall 2012 Convention, ACI Committee 318 ReceptionThis fall’s ACI 318 reception for committee, subcommittee and liaison members was held at Quinn’s Restaurant, a short walk from the main convention activities. The restaurant cleared out a nice private area for attendees to network and share in some lively conversations. The turnout was exceptional, as the area was quite crowded.

The Fall reception was held in conjunction with our partners the Precast / Prestressed Concrete Institute and the CRSI Great Lakes Region. Thank you all.



Subcommittee A01.05 on Steel Reinforcement met Nov. 13-14 in Atlanta during the ASTM Committee Week Meetings. The main agenda item was to resolve the negatives and comments on the various items contained in the five ballots issued since the last meeting. Results of some of the ballots follow:

A615, Carbon-Steel Reinforcing Bars Proposed revision was to add the option of combining two consecutive heats in one mill bundle. The mill must maintain records of the two heats in the mill bundle. Item passed at the Subcommittee level, but failed at the Committee level. Item will be re-balloted before the Subcommittee and will incorporate current verbiage from A6.

A706, Low-Alloy Reinforcing BarsProposed revision was to add the option of combining two consecutive heats in one mill bundle. The mill must maintain records of the two heats in the mill bundle. Ballot passed at the Subcommittee level, but failed at the Committee level. Item will be re-balloted before the Subcommittee and will incorporate current verbiage from A6.

A955, Stainless-Steel Reinforcing BarsProposed revision would set the minimum elongation for Grade 75 bars, #3 through #7 bars, to 16% for duplex alloys (currently 20%). For all other Grades and bar sizes, the minimum elongation remained at 20%. Item received two Negatives which were found persuasive. Item will be re-balloted before the Subcommittee.

Proposed revisions were to remove current Table 2 (Chemical Requirements of Typical Alloys) and refer instead to ASTM A276. Reference was also being added to AWS D1.6 for welding stainless-steel reinforcing bars. Item failed at the Subcommittee level and was withdrawn.

Some editorial revisions were proposed to Annex A1, Evaluation of Corrosion Resistance, to clarify intent and prevent misinterpretation. Item failed at the Subcommittee level and was withdrawn.

A1064, Wire and Welded Wire ReinforcementProposed revision would allow a mill tag to be attached to a bundle of lightweight rolls, rather than tags on each individual roll. Item passed at the Subcommittee level, but failed at the Committee level. Item will be re-balloted before the Subcommittee.

A1035, Low-Carbon, Chromium Reinforcing BarsProposed removal of Note 1, which cautioned designers that typical reinforced concrete designs limit the yield strength of reinforcing bars to 80,000 psi and that the yield strength of A1035 reinforcing bars exceeded this limit. Item passed at the Subcommittee level and will be forwarded for Committee ballot.

Proposed verbiage was added to Scope that states that the corrosion resistance of A1035 reinforcing bars is substantially better than carbon steels, along with a new Note which supports this statement. Item failed at the Subcommittee level and will be re-balloted.

Proposed new Annex A would be added to facilitate ordering A1035 bars according to British Standard metric sizes. Annex would include Table 1 of bar nominal dimensions and deformation requirements, Table 2 of tensile property requirements, and Table 3 of bend test requirements. Item failed at the Subcommittee level and will be re-balloted.

A1078, Specification for Epoxy-Coated Steel Dowels for Concrete PavementThis new specification covers epoxy-coated plain steel dowel bars for use in concrete pavements. Dowels are manufactured from plain ASTM A615 carbon-steel bars, with a diameter of 1-1/4 or 1-1/2 in. and a length of 18 in. The epoxy coating is classified as either Type 1 or Type 2. Type 1 would meet Annex A1 of either A775 or A1055 and Type 2 would meet Annex A1 of A934.

New Standard Test Method for Evaluating Bond of Seven-Wire Prestressing StrandWork on this proposed test method began in the late 1990s. Item passed at the Committee level and will be issued soon.

The Reinforcing Bar Task Group discussed, among other topics, the following:

Occasionally, mills receive orders for 2.5-inch diameter plain bars meeting A615. Due to the difficulty in breaking such size bars, it was suggested that reduced-section testing be permitted for plain bars. Preliminary data was presented, comparing tension test results of full-sized test specimens versus reduced-size test specimens. Good discussion followed and more data will be gathered.

Interest was expressed in adding an Annex of alternate metric bar sizes to both A615 and A706, to facilitate using A615 and A706 for ordering European metric bar sizes overseas.

AsTm subcommittee A01.05 meetingBy Anthony Felder, PE, Technical Director

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Because of the increased workload, the TG will be split into two new TG’s: one for Carbon-Steel and Low-Alloy Reinforcing Bars (ASTM A615 and A706) and the other for Specialty Steel Reinforcing Bars (ASTM A955 and A1035). Lisa Churnetski of Gerdau will head the first group and Catherine Houska of Technical Marketing Resources will head the second group.

The next ASTM Committee Week Meetings is scheduled for May 21-22 in Indianapolis. For more information, contact Tony Felder at [email protected].

Neal Anderson was an invited attendee for a project workshop, “Use of High-Strength Flexural Reinforcement in Reinforced Concrete Seismic Design,” on Nov. 8 in Burlingame, CA. The project researchers held the workshop with many knowledgeable research engineers in attendance with experience in seismic design and reinforcing bar. In addition to Anderson, CRSI colleagues David Darwin, Conrad Paulson and Santiago Pujol were also in attendance.

For background, the primary objective of this task is to perform the work required to study and make recommendations concerning the utilization of high-strength steel reinforcing bars in concrete structures subjected to earthquake ground motion. Work will investigate the potential savings in construction costs and time and will review available information in the literature regarding potential difference in behavior.

The Applied Technology Council (ATC) and the Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake

Engineering (CUREE) have formed the NEHRP Consultants Joint Venture, a partnership of ATC and CUREE, in order to conduct the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST)-funded National Earthquake Hazards Reduction Program (NEHRP) Earthquake Structural and Engineering Research Contract,which was awarded in September 2007. The ATC-98 project is under the auspices of this group.

Under this five-year contract, the NEHRP Consultants Joint Venture will conduct a broad problem-focused research, knowledge development, synthesis and technology transfer program for NIST, lead federal agency for NEHRP. The purpose of the NIST contract is to develop a partnership with practitioners and research institutions that will be used to implement the program, which follows a roadmap prepared by ATC for NIST in 2003 and published in the ATC-57 report, “The Missing Piece: Improving Seismic Design and Construction Practices.”

CRsI Invited to Attend High-strength Reinforcement seismic Design WorkshopBy Neal Anderson, PE, SE, FACI, FPCI, Vice President of Engineering

A technical note of frequently asked questions regarding stainless steel reinforcing bars was recently completed. It will be distributed via email to the CRSI membership and will also be available online at CRSI’s webstore.

The Technical Note is intended to provide guidance to design professionals, field personnel and state DOTs regarding the use of stainless steel reinforcing bars and stems from the many inquiries that we receive with questions on the topic.

For more information, please contact Danielle Kleinhans at [email protected].

stainless steel FAQ Technical Note Available



The Mid-Atlantic Chapter of CRSI sponsored a technical seminar on “Improving Constructability of RC Structures” in partnership with the Delaware Valley Association of Structural Engineers on Oct. 10.

Bob Brack was recognized at the Knickerbocker Chapter annual holiday luncheon at the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, NJ, on Dec. 5.

Regional RePoRTS


Atlantic RegionBy Mike Mota, Ph.d. PE, Region Manager

Technical Events• The Mid-Atlantic Chapter

sponsored a technical seminar on “Improving Constructability of RC Structures” in partnership with the Delaware Valley Association of Structural Engineers on Oct. 10 and ACI’s Eastern Pennsylvania and Delaware Chapter on Nov. 15.

Upcoming Seminars• “Emerging Trends in Reinforced

Concrete” will be held at 5 p.m. Jan. 24 at HAKS Engineering in NYC.

• “Optimizing Design of RC Structures,” originally scheduled for Nov. 1 at the New York Athletic Club, has been rescheduled due to Superstorm Sandy. The seminar will now take place from 6 to 8 p.m. on Feb. 19 at the same location.

• Several design and detailing seminars are being planned for the spring to showcase advancements in detailing of steel-reinforced concrete. These seminars will be held in Washington DC, Philadelphia, New York City and Boston and will include participation from aSa and Bentley. Please visit www.crsi.org for event information as it becomes available.

EducationPresentations were conducted at several major universities, including:

• Rutgers University, Rowan University, Manhattan College and Penn State. Nearly 150 new CRSI student members have been “recruited” as a result of these presentations.

• The Knickerbocker Chapter and its members purchased 25 Placing Handbooks for the Port Authority

of New York and New Jersey. The books were used as part of an “Inspection of Reinforced Concrete” course held at the Port Authority offices.

Resilient Construction Workshops• The Atlantic Region, in

partnership with the local NRMCA, will host half-day Resilient Construction workshops in the New Jersey and New York markets. In the wake of Superstorm Sandy, reconstruction of commercial and residential structures using steel-reinforced concrete offers an alternative to “stick”-type construction.

Chapter Events• The Knickerbocker Chapter held its

annual holiday luncheon on Dec. 5 at the Knickerbocker Country Club in Tenafly, NJ. The event attracted nearly 40 members and guests.

The luncheon was preceded by a short business meeting which included updates from

www.crsi.org

Borys Hayda of DeSimone Consulting Engineers accepts a CRSI Design Award for DeSimone’s work on The James hotel in New York City.

CRSI member Tim Thomas, American Steel Fabrication, Inc., (left) presents at the St. Louis Concrete Council Awards Dinner.

Zuzelle Martins of Barker Steel LLC accepts a CRSI Design Award for Barker’s work on The James hotel in New York City.

Regional RePoRTS

SHOPta lk • Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute22 VOLUME 74 • ISSUE 4

Chapter President Don Fowler and Regional Manager Mike Mota. Also during the meeting, Bob Brack was recognized by Tony Limbardo for Bob’s “semi”-retirement from CRSI.

The meeting concluded with a short ceremony where the 2012 CRSI Design Award winners for The James hotel in New York City were recognized and presented with plaques. Borys Hayda accepted the award on behalf of structural engineers DeSimone Consulting Engineers. Zuzelle Martins accepted the award on behalf of fabricator Barker Steel LLC.

Finally, a “tee off” meeting was held to begin planning for next summer’s East Coast Golf Outing, scheduled for June 6 at the country club.

Central RegionBy Jack Gibbons, Region Manager

I traveled to St. Louis the first week of October for the National Conference of Structural Engineers Annual Conference. The attendance was very good and I was able to renew some old acquaintances and make several new ones. Although I didn’t present, as this event is much more about committee meetings than education, I did exhibit. There was a lot of activity at my booth, which resulted in very positive exposure for CRSI.

While in St. Louis, I met with McCarthy Construction (#20 on the ENR Top 400 list). I’ve been trying to get together with their director of pre-construction to discuss the Joplin hospital project. St. John’s, the original hospital, was severely damaged during the May 2011 tornado and had to be torn down. The bad news: The replacement hospital contains almost no reinforced concrete above ground. The good news: The project has introduced CRSI to McCarthy, one of the largest general building contractors in the U.S. I had an extremely productive meeting and outlined CRSI’s efforts to promote the use of reinforced concrete construction. This message resonates well with most general contractors, and it certainly resonated with McCarthy, as they would much rather build with concrete than structural steel. That way they can better control their schedule and therefore their profits. If a project goes structural steel, they have to subcontract out to an erector and cannot self-perform. McCarthy has requested a follow-up meeting to introduce me to the entire pre-construction staff and have a possible lunch & learn.

The Annual SEAOI Structures Symposium was held in downtown Chicago on Oct. 17. I exhibited and sponsored, as two CRSI staff members were on the program. Neal Anderson, vice president of engineering, presented on adhesive

anchors and Mike Mota, Atlantic Region manager, presented on voided slabs. Both presentations were very well received with lots of comments and questions. This event gets an excellent turnout with speakers from premier design firms and universities and is great exposure for CRSI.

I finished up the month of October by guest lecturing for the reinforced concrete class at the Illinois Institute of Technology. Later in the week, I was one half of half-day conference for the Structural Engineers Association of Illinois.

November started with the CRSI Fall Technical & Business Meeting. The next day, I attended the St. Louis Concrete Council Awards Dinner at the generous invitation of CRSI member Tim Thomas, American Steel Fabrication, Inc. It was an excellent and well-attended event. I visited with several old friends and made numerous new contacts.

The following day I travelled to Little Rock to present (along with John Turner) at the Structural Engineers Association of Arkansas. Good program. We’ve already been invited back.

I wrapped up November with a few days of vacation interrupted by participating in the CLC student design competition.

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Greater southwestern RegionBy John Turner, PE, Region Manager

John Turner and Central Region Manager Jack Gibbons presented at the Structural Engineers Association of Arkansas annual conference. John’s presentation on “Detailing Dos and Don’ts” highlighted some issues to avoid on structural plans and details that can cause problems. Jack’s presentation on “High-Performance Concrete” promotes the idea that small (and large) changes to the way concrete mixes are designed and placed make reinforced concrete the material of choice for structures.

John also presented “Detailing Dos and Don’ts” to the Houston Chapter of the Structural Engineers Association of Texas. The strong demand for this presentation indicates that engineers are willing to listen to industry concerns. This should translate into clearer construction documents and structures that are easier and more economical to construct.

CRSI sponsored and helped plan the recent TxDOT/CCT Concrete Conference, held Dec. 4-5 in Austin. The Cement Council of Texas organizes this conference every two years to showcase projects and technologies in concrete paving and roadway structures. Attendees are Texas Department of Transportation state and district engineering staff, city and county road and bridge engineers and highway construction industry representatives. John presented an update on specification of steel reinforcement and was part of a panel on specifications.

In February, John will teach a short course for ACI’s Northeast Texas Chapter. The chapter conducts a two month “Basic Concrete Technology”

ACI TorontoConstruction Liaison Committee: There was a lot of discussion (initiated by me) here on the role of ACI in the concrete construction industry. This committee is mostly made up of large general contractors who have a vested interest in advancing concrete construction practices and were very vocal about ACI being more promotional. I was asked to be a judge for an upcoming committee-sponsored student design competition.

ACI 309, Consolidation of Concrete: I am involved in the rewriting of the chapter on formed concrete surface finishes. I am also tasked with initiating a possible certification program for vibrator operators via ACI. This has become a big issue due to increased congestion problems resulting in poorly consolidated concrete.

ACI 302, Construction of Slabs: New document was issued last year and new sub-committees are getting underway.

ACI 362, Parking Structures: This committee is very active, particularly related to durability and construction. I have been tasked with writing a tech note on rapid cycle PT construction. I am also on a subcommittee reviewing the use of supplementary cementitious materials for parking decks.

I also managed to squeeze in a tech session on shrinkage compensating cements for use on bridge decks.

ACI 306, Cold Weather Concreting: This is always an interesting group. This committee has had a lot to do with advancing winter construction schedules, which is a huge positive for the concrete construction industry. I am not a member, but have been invited to join.

I attended a Contractors Day session for a presentation,”Forming Our Future: Innovations and Advancements in Concrete Forming.” Another presentation was by Aluma Systems on the construction of The Coast, the 50-story structure next to the Swissotel Chicago (home of our FBTM) that topped out in about 10 months. This project is a great example of how advanced and competitive reinforced concrete construction has become.

ACI 363, High Strength Concrete: I am not a member of this committee, but I attended to hear a discussion on the Kingdom Tower project in Saudi Arabia (3,200 feet) by Bob Sinn of Thornton Tomasetti.

I went from 363 (and brought Bob Sinn along) to 329, Performance Criteria for Concrete Materials. This is ACI’s newest committee and really represents the industry’s progression into the 21st Century. The new document has recently been approved by TAC and is now available in print. We will begin forming sub-committees to start on the next version. I have been asked to put together (with Michelle Wilson, PCA’s director of education), a committee-sanctioned presentation to take on the road to promote performance specifications as a viable alternate to the commonly used prescriptive specs.

CRSI Graduate Fellowship recipient Brian Richter and CRSI Foundation scholarship winner John Hardisty with CRSI’s Tony Johnson at the annual Purdue University Civil Engineering Scholarship Awards Banquet.

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Great lakes Region By Tony Johnson, PE, Regional Manager

University Presentations Popular in Fall SemesterCivil engineering students studying reinforced concrete design at universities across the Great Lakes Region received a comprehensive education in reinforcing materials and new technology in reinforced concrete construction during the fall semester. At Michigan State University, Tony was once again invited back to present to the Construction Management class, a tradition in this class every semester since 2008. At Purdue University, Tony was asked to provide an update on reinforcing steel products, new technology and the latest in reinforced concrete construction practices including the voided slab system. The Ohio State University, Structural Engineers Association Chapter, invited Tony in to present a lunch seminar which again focused

on the latest in reinforced concrete construction practices. At all recent presentations, the students were very engaged in the presentation, with many in attendance signing up for a complementary CRSI student membership.

CRSI Education and Research Foundation Scholarship Recipient at Purdue UniversityJohn Hardisty, a senior undergraduate student at Purdue University, was the winner of the annual CRSI Education and Research Foundation – Purdue University dedicated scholarship. John is studying civil engineering with a focus on the design of reinforced concrete structures. John was presented with a copy of the CRSI Design Handbook during the award dinner courtesy of the Great Lakes Region’s Student Textbook fund.

Also presented at the Oct. 12 awards dinner was the formal awarding of the CRSI Graduate Fellowship to Brian Richter. Brian, the winner of the 2010 CRSI Education and

course in the Dallas area. As part of the course, we have been asked for the first time to present a segment on reinforcement as it relates to field operations. The class will cover grades and specifications, bends, placing and inspection criteria.

On March 2, the Texas Severe Storms Association will again host the National Storm Conference in Colleyville. This conference will give CRSI an opportunity to reach out to nearly 500 attendees, including emergency managers, educators and researchers, with our message about resilience. We plan to carry our message that construction using reinforced concrete is the economical way to assure the safety of essential service providers, to protect valuable equipment and infrastructure and to shelter those who cannot be evacuated in a timely manner.

The National Hurricane Conference comes to New Orleans on March 25-28. CRSI and the Concrete Joint Sustainability Initiative will have a presence at this conference, which will host 2,000 interested decision makers. One of the market growth opportunities we have recognized is the use of reinforced concrete in disaster-prone areas. The value of our products is that buildings built to minimum codes using reinforced concrete construction typically provide additional benefits not obtained using other materials. For instance, concrete does not rot and is not subject to bacterial, insect or burrowing animal damage. Also, concrete wall systems provide substantial impact resistance, which is difficult and expensive to obtain using other materials.

The region managers and staff are excited by the possibilities for the Institute in 2013, and look forward to providing members continuing value through our many programs and initiatives. Thank you to all those who have supported us this year, and I look forward to working with you in the new year.

CRSI member Mario Garza of Barton Malow Company reviews the contents of ACI 306 – Guide to Cold Weather Concreting at the November SEAoO Toledo Chapter Meeting.

The Meldahl Hydroelectric project site in November. After it’s completed, the project will generate 105 MW of electricity on the low-head Meldahl Lock and Dam on the Ohio River.

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Research Foundation – Purdue University dedicated scholarship, was awarded a CRSI Graduate Fellowship for his work “Strength of Lap Splices of Deformed Bars in Thin Reinforced Concrete Members Subjected to Tension.” Congratulations go out to both John and Brian and good luck on your future studies!

Structural Engineers Association of Ohio, Toledo Chapter – Concrete NightOn Nov. 14, The Structural Engineers Association of Ohio, Toledo Chapter, held “Concrete Night” for their November monthly dinner meeting. The event was held in the University of Toledo’s Engineering Building and was attended by a group of five graduate civil engineering students.

The evening featured three concrete-related presentations. The first presentation, made by CRSI’s Tony Johnson, focused on updates in reinforcing steel technology, including an update on high-strength reinforcing steel and the implementation of the new ACI 318-11 requirements for post-installed adhesive anchors in concrete. The next presentation was given by CRSI member Mario Garza from Barton Malow Company. Mario, a member of ACI 306 Guide to Cold Weather Concreting, reviewed the version of this document and

helped the attendees understand some of the intricacies of the document. The evening wrapped up with Tony Johnson presenting on “New Technology in Reinforced Concrete Construction,” which focused on voided slab systems and the application of “slab cast” construction in the development of a six-story hotel in Lexington, KY.

AIA Metro Detroit – Building Enclosure Institute SymposiumOn Oct. 16, Tony Johnson participated in the Fourth Annual AIA Metro Detroit – Building Enclosure Institute Symposium. The day-long event introduced CRSI to local architects and specification writers and provided Tony with the opportunity to discuss the energy, performance and resilience benefits resulting from building with a reinforced concrete building enclosure system. Attendees showed considerable interest in both tilt-up and insulated concrete form systems, recognizing the inherent benefits, particularly relating to energy performance, of these methods of construction.

Hydroelectric Generation Project on the Ohio RiverCRSI member Baker Concrete is currently working on a massive project on the Ohio River at the Meldahl Lock and Dam. The project will add hydroelectric generation capacitation to the current 50-year-old dam structure, which was built by the federal government to stabilize river flow for barge traffic. The new power plant has the capability of generating 105 MW of power and is one of several similar structures on low-head dams which are either currently under construction or soon to begin.

Baker is employing 3D design software on the project to plan the phasing and concrete pours in efforts to minimize delays and construction interferences with other trades. The multi-year project began in 2011 and should be producing electricity in 2014.

On Nov. 27, David Friedman from Contractors Materials and CRSI’s Tony Johnson visited the project site and were given a close-up look at the construction progress by Baker’s Jamie Bartlett.

Graduate students Melody Miller (left) and Alyssa Doellman with some beam specimens from research work.

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southern Region By: Steve Hawkins, AIA, Region Manager

Planning for 2013 began with a Regional Advisory Board meeting at NC State University in mid-October. Discussions included 2012 progress and 2013 goals, budget and activities.

Highlights of this planning session:• University planning support will

continue at current levels in 2013 as we build upon established relationships and explore new opportunities in colleges of architecture and construction management.

• Material support for research projects at Georgia Tech, NC State and Virginia Tech is fully supported by CRSI member producing mills and is focused on improving reinforced concrete efficiency.

• Traditional regional conference activity is suspended indefinitely as there has been inadequate member interest in recent years and a preference for dedicating those funds to more productive promotional activities. There is consideration being given to a large-scale promotional conference that would bring together members with design and construction professionals. We are exploring these options and will, of course, offer practical programs to our membership for consideration as they are proposed.

• Contractors will be a primary area of focus in 2013, in concert with our national marketing agenda, and that may well involve open house events at member locations across the region. If your plant is interested in hosting such an event, contact me at [email protected].

University relationships expandedUniversity relationships continue to be a key area of concentration within the Southern Region as we expand beyond well-established business relations with colleges of engineering to create similar relationships with colleges of architecture and construction management. Universities identified as priorities for support in 2013 include:

First Tier:North Carolina State University

Georgia Institute of Technology

University of Florida

Virginia Institute of Technology

Second Tier:Southern Polytechnic State University

University of South Florida

Florida International University

University of Alabama

University of Tennessee

The Citadel

University of North Carolina – Charlotte

Duke University

Special university programs have been very productive in 2012. Two important examples are worth highlighting: The Integrated Studio Course launched at Georgia Tech during the fall semester with a focus on leveraging the qualities of reinforced concrete to create innovative structural solutions. The class has thus far hosted a CRSI guest lecture on CRSI Explorer and the basics of reinforcing steel in addition to visiting a producing mill and fab shop for detailed tours. The course will move into design in the next semester as students

CRSI Foundation helps fund University of Cincinnati researchWork is progressing well on a research project at the University of Cincinnati on a project partially funded by the CRSI Education and Research Foundation. The project grew out of a smaller graduate research fellowship which was initially submitted to the CRSI Education and Research Foundation in 2011 for funding. The current project, “Continuous Stirrups for Shear and Torsion Reinforcement in Beams,” has received funding from a variety of sources, including the CRSI Education and Research Foundation, The Charles Pankow Foundation and the Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute. Testing work at the University of Cincinnati Large Scale Test Facility has progressed well, and to date, all shear and pure torsion samples have been tested.

Tony Johnson has made several visits to the laboratory to observe both casting of the reinforced concrete specimens and the testing of specimens. All work on the project should be complete by mid-2013.


CRSI Region Manager Bethany Hennings and Pacific Northwest Manager Greg Halsted with the Escala Design Team: Mark Whitely of CKC (second from left); Mitch Smith, CEO of MG2; Allison Raduziner, business development director at JE Dunn; Lyall Hadden, Harris Rebar general manager; and Joe Strobele, Lexas president and co-founder.

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collaboratively design and construct a usable recreational facility for the Atlanta Beltline. Local support and recognition of this pioneering program within the university and Atlanta’s design community has been tremendous.

NC State’s Constructed Facilities Laboratory has begun a comprehensive study of rebar bend diameters to ensure that standards developed decades ago are still appropriate with today’s material properties and fabricating technologies. This research is funded by the CRSI Education and Research Foundation. Beyond this research we are engaged in ongoing support for the university with routine guest lectures, field trips and guide publications.

Current projectsProject support has been significant in the past year as we have assisted construction managers and general contractors find solutions on large scale and innovative projects within the region, including these few examples:

• Miami Art Museum, employing the first United States use of a voided slab system developed (and in frequent use) in Europe;

• Tampa Crosstown/I-4 Connector, utilizing segmental concrete bridge construction for its predominant sections; and

• Bay Pines VA Hospital, undergoing a major expansion in several areas including a geriatric care center, eye surgery complex and parking garage.

Western RegionBy Bethany Hennings, Region Manager

Reinforcing Steel Makes the Grade - In Schools!As final exams draw near for this semester, CRSI looks back at another busy guest lecture season. In an effort to stay on track with our strategic plan goals, we succeeded in giving college and university presentations in nearly every state and province in the Western Region this fall term. Many of these lectures were repeat performances. CRSI offers many undergrad- and graduate-level topics depending on the knowledge base and educational track of the students. Our popular “Reinforcing 101” presentation is an excellent introduction on how reinforcing steel is produced, fabricated and placed, as well as discussing items to consider for economic in-place construction to reduce congestion and constructability issues, and create a safe workplace environment.

With nearly 500 in attendance, this semester’s guest lectures continued to highlight CRSI as a top resource for architecture, engineering and construction management students. Through these presentations, it is our goal to have a lasting positive influence on future decisionmakers when it comes to reinforced concrete materials. If you would like to join CRSI during one of our many lectures, check for upcoming dates in Rebar in Brief, as we’d like to have you along!

CKC Celebrates 25 Years!CRSI was honored to participate in the grand celebration of Cary Kopczynski and Company’s 25th anniversary celebration in mid-October. During the festivities, CRSI had a little promotion of its own. With an introduction into the organization and information on the CRSI Design Awards, Bethany Hennings and Greg Halsted presented awards to the design and construction team for the Escala

ODOT and CRSI visit Cascade Steel Rolling Mills.

Greg Halsted and Bethany Hennings listen as Cary Kopczynski discusses the attributes of the CRSI Design Award-winning Escala building.

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building in Seattle, where the party was held.

For the Multi-Family Residences category, CRSI proudly announced Escala as the award-winning project. You may ask what makes this project unique. Escala is the first structure in North America to use ultra-high-strength steel for seismic reinforcement. This building also had the deepest hole ever dug for a Seattle residential tower. And let’s not forget, Escala is the setting for the steamy NY Times bestseller “Fifty Shades of Grey.”

The CRSI 2012 Design Award is presented to the following companies for Excellence in Developing Innovative Solutions in the Design of Escala:

Cary Kopczynski & Company: CKC designs commercial buildings throughout the United States and beyond. CKC has won more than 35 regional and national design awards, including three national awards for Escala, not including CRSI’s.

Mulvanny G2: MG2 is one of the country’s top architectural firms. They design buildings throughout the U.S. and also have a major

presence in China; currently, they are designing several Shanghai buildings up to 60 stories tall.

JE Dunn Construction: JE Dunn has 20 US offices, $2.7 billion annual revenue and, most importantly, has installed more than 5,000 tons of reinforcing steel in Escala.

Harris Rebar Seattle: Harris is a

division of Nucor Steel, the largest manufacturer of steel products in North America. Harris operates more than 70 fabrication facilities across the United States and Canada. They supplied and fabricated all of the steel for Escala.

LexasCompanies: Lexas was the developer and the vision behind Escala. Their goal was to build Seattle’s most distinctive condominium tower. Despite what the book says, however, Lexas claims there is no helipad on the roof.

Cascade Steel Opens its DoorsEarlier this year, CRSI visited with engineers and administrators from the Oregon DOT Bridge Engineering Section in Salem, OR, to discuss how CRSI could be a resource for them as they manage their nearly 2,700 bridge structures statewide. During this meeting, ODOT staff expressed an interest in learning more about the actual production of reinforcing steel as a way to help them better understand how these elements are incorporated into their bridge designs.

When CRSI approached Cascade Steel Rolling Mills in McMinnville,

Representatives from ODOT visit Cascade Steel Rolling Mills in McMinnville, OR, to learn more about the production of reinforcing steel.

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OR, to see if they would like to assist in some sort of educational program for ODOT staff, their response was enthusiastic! On Oct. 25, Cascade welcomed 44 engineers from ODOT’s Bridge Headquarters and Region Offices, their Traffic, Facilities, and Construction sections, and seven structural engineering firms who work on ODOT projects. A small army of Cascade employees provided all attendees with proper safety equipment and instruction, and then took them on the grand tour of their facilities, including the scrap yard, melt shop, refining furnace, casting area, rolling mills and QC/QA lab.

The attendees were divided into two groups, alternating between the Mill tour and a presentation on recommended economic reinforcing steel detailing practices by CRSI Pacific Northwest Manager Greg Halsted. After both groups were finished with the tour and presentation, they were treated to lunch where they were again welcomed and addressed by Cascade President Jeff Dyck, who gave an excellent overview of the steel mill business and how Cascade’s products and processes contribute. Judging from the comments received from those in attendance, the event was a huge success and one that won’t soon be forgotten.

Engineers in Big Sky Country Warm to CRCPEach year, nearly a dozen national and local engineering associations gather together in Helena, MT to host the Joint Engineers Conference, an event for engineers involved in civil, mechanical, structural and electrical disciplines among others. From Nov. 7 to 9, more than 200 attendees and exhibitors battled Montana’s first major snow event of the season to participate in 60 different classroom-style sessions covering all facets of engineering.

One session was presented by Greg Halsted on continuously reinforced concrete pavements which was attended by nearly 40 transportation

engineers. The presentation explained how CRCP can assist today’s pavement engineers and managers who are looking for long-term, low maintenance and highly functional solutions at a reasonable whole life cost. Items including long-life pavement principles, design methodology, materials selection, construction considerations and 40+ year performance were discussed, including the major role played by the reinforcing steel itself in ensuring a quality product. A copy of the “CRCP Design and Construction Guidelines” manual, developed through the FHWA/CRSI Cooperative Agreement, was made available to each attendee. A lengthy question-and-answer session followed the presentation - not because of the accumulating snow outside the JEC - but rather indicating interest in CRCP for Montana’s future transportation needs.

San Diego Report – Massive Construction Projects AheadThe anticipated construction bonanza in the San Diego area has come to a head recently with the announcement of the construction of the Western

Hemisphere’s largest desalination plant. The contract approval of the regional water agency was closely watched by the many in the water management business, as the planning of this plant has been furthest along among about two dozen similar projects that are at various stages of planning in other locations.

Governmental agencies are also bankrolling other significant developments in San Diego and vicinity. These include:

• A new hospital at Camp Pendleton;

• A half-billion, three-phase upgrade at the San Ysidro border crossing; and,

• A future recreation area envisioned surrounding the nearly completed San Vicente dam.

Our regional staff has been making contacts in the area and will present for NAVFAC this month.


CRSI StaffAdministrative

Robert Risser, PE President & CEO . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 317

Marybeth Learnahan Administrative Assistant . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 314

Financial

Kim Michael-Lee, CPA, CGMA Chief Financial Officer . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 325

Diana Krumrey Accounting Clerk . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 318

Marketing and Communications

Steven Randall Hawkins, Sr. AIA CRSI National Marketing Director . . . . (772)321-6880

Dave Mounce Director of Communications . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 320

Engineering

Neal Anderson, PE, SE, FACI, FPCI Vice President of Engineering . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 313

Anthony Felder, PE Technical Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 315

Danielle Kleinhans, PhD, PE Structural/Transportation Engineer . . . . . . . . . . x 330

Member Services and Conventions

Aiyana Lopez Director of Member Services . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 337

Mallory Whaley Member Services & Communications Assistant . . x 335

Epoxy Interest Group

David McDonald, PhD, PE, FACI Managing Director . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . x 345

Calendar of events

CRSI Region Offices

Atlantic Region Manager (856) 264-3851 Mike Mota, PhD, PE

Central Region Manager (630) 380-5819 Jack Gibbons

Great Lakes Region Manager (248) 726-0500 Tony Johnson, PE

Greater Southwestern Region Manager (214) 281-8830 John Turner, PE

Southern Region Manager (772) 321-6880 Steve Hawkins, AIA

Western Region Manager (209) 499-4740 Bethany Hennings

Pacific Northwest / Western Canada Manager (360) 920-5119 Greg Halsted, PE

Senior Structural Engineering Consultant (310) 476-9941 Attila Beres, PhD, PE

CRsI Headquarters933 N. Plum Grove Road, Schaumburg, Illinois 60173-4758Phone (847) 517-1200 Fax (847) 517-1206 www.crsi.org

TRADesHoWs / CoNFeReNCes

World of ConcreteFebruary 4-8, 2013Las Vegas Convention CenterLas Vegas, NV

CRSI Spring Technical Meetingmarch 12–15, 2013Tempe Mission Palms HotelTempe, AZ Annual ConferenceApril 27–30, 2013InterContinental Montelucia Resort & SpaScottsdale, AZ

CRSI Fall Business & Technical MeetingNovember 3-6Swissotel ChicagoChicago, IL

TeCHNICAl CoNFeReNCes

ACI Spring ConventionApril 14-17, 2013Hilton Minneapolis & Convention CenterMinneapolis, MN

ASTM Committee Weekmay 20-23, 2013JW Marriott Indianapolis Indianapolis, IN

mARk YouR CAleNDAR NoW…FuTuRe CRsI NATIoNAl meeTINGs

Fall Business & Technical Meeting:Swissotel ChicagoNovember 2–5, 2014 Spring Technical Meetingmarch 4–7, 2014Tempe Mission Palms HotelTempe, AZ Annual ConferenceApril 26–29, 2014Wild Dunes ResortIsle of Palms, SC

http://www.crsi.org