New "Green" Library Befits Park Setting

Providing a new main library facility for Bolingbrook, Ill., with ample space to serve the many needs of the community, while fitting into an otherwise residential area, was the challenge faced by the architects for this project. The Fountaindale Public Library, a new $25-million, three-story 96,000 square foot facility with an additional 13,000 square feet of basement space is the result. The site plan and building footprint are organized to create a presence for the library along the primary access road, while maximizing views of the existing park in which it is being constructed. The size of the floor plates approach the maximum size recommended by library planners with proportions that will provide flexibility for the future. Plans feature green roofs that further reinforce a connection with the building’s park setting. The building has been designed to achieved a prestigious LEED 2.2 Gold Certification.

The planning for the building began with rectangular floor plates. However, as the process evolved pieces of the floors were carved away to provide a less formal form with the result that no two floors in the building have the same footprint and the total three-dimensional volume becomes a very organic element that fits well into the park setting. Given the varieties in the floor plates and the complexities of the shapes, reinforced concrete proved to be an ideal structural system. Read more about the Fountaindale Public Library,

Concrete Sustainability Hub at MIT

To address the sustainability and environmental implications of the use of concrete as the backbone of our housing, schools, hospitals and other built infrastructure, including highways, tunnels, airports and rail systems, MIT has created the Concrete Sustainability Hub, a research center established at MIT in collaboration with the Portland Cement Association and Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) Research & Education Foundation.

The Concrete Sustainability Hub (CSH), established with the goal of accelerating emerging breakthroughs in concrete science and engineering and transferring that science into practice, will provide $10 million of sponsored research funding during the next five years. Researchers from MIT’s School of Engineering, School of Architecture and Planning and Sloan School of Management are expected to participate in the CSH’s research activities.

CSH research will initially be organized around three focus areas: concrete materials science, building technology and the econometrics of sustainable development. The first two projects, “Green Concrete Science,” and “The Edge of Concrete: A Life-Cycle Investigation of Concrete and Concrete Structures” are already underway. Read news release.

Concrete Tanks

Conventionally reinforced (non-prestressed) concrete tanks have been used extensively in municipal and industrial facilities for several decades. The design of these structures requires that attention be given not only to strength requirements, but to serviceability requirements as well. A properly designed tank must be able to withstand the applied loads without cracks that could cause leakage. The goal of designing and constructing a structurally sound tank that will not leak is achieved by providing the proper amount and distribution of reinforcement, the proper spacing and detailing of construction joints, and the use of quality concrete, placed using proper construction practices. More on concrete tanks.

Holiday Special - PCA Tank Classics

Rectangular Concrete Tanks (IS003)
This publication presents analysis methods for rectangular tanks containing fluids. It describes the procedure and gives tables of coefficients for moments, shears, and deflections due to uniform and triangular loads.

Circular Concrete Tanks Without Prestressing (IS072)
Tables of coefficients are provided for bending moments and ring tensions due to various loading conditions. Provisions are provided for wall thickness, reinforcement and crack controls.

Design of Liquid-Containing Concrete Structures for Earthquake Forces (EB219)
This publication contains comprehensive information on the design and detailing requirements for concrete tanks subjected to earthquake forces. The earthquake forces are computed in accordance with a variety of codes, including the International Building Code.

Purchase All 3 PCA Concrete Tank Publications and Get 20% Off (XC061) Save $34. Offer expires 12/31/09.

October PPI: Steel Prices Continue to Rise

Steel prices increased for the third consecutive month with a jump of 2.7 percent from September to October, according to the Department of Labor’s monthly Producer Price Index (PPI). During the same time period, asphalt prices decreased slightly, 0.1 percent, and lumber prices dropped 0.9 percent from September to October. Concrete prices were also down, decreasing 0.4 percent from the previous month.

Steel prices have declined 24.9 percent within the last year. Asphalt prices have decreased 16.2 percent and lumber prices dropped by 5.5 percent. Concrete prices also decreased from last year, lowering 0.9 percent.

Source: Department of Labor, Bureau of Labor Statistics.

Last Two Reinforced Concrete Design Courses for 2009

Presented by PCA and ACI, this intensive two-day course will bring participants up-to-speed with the latest design requirements of the ACI 318-08 Building Code. You will benefit from this seminar if you are designing concrete now, but feel there must be a better way; need to do some concrete design and your skills are rusty; did not take reinforced concrete in engineering school but are now faced with designing concrete structures; are preparing for the Professional Engineers’ or Structural Engineers’ exam; or simply need Professional Development Hours to maintain your professional engineer status (worth 15 PDHs). More information and registration.

More Seminars on reinforced concrete design and simplified design from ACI/PCA coming spring of 2010.

Engineers Week Provides Introduction to the Field

As part of the national Engineers’ Week celebrations, the annual DuPage Area Engineers Week Expo is to be held February 20, 2010 at the Illinois Institute of Technology Wheaton, Ill., campus. Last year’s event drew more than 1,200 attendees.

The Engineers Week events, provides children and adults alike with the opportunity to experience and explore the many fields of engineering through a series of interactive displays and presentations. More on EWeek.

• World of Concrete
Las Vegas, Nevada
Exhibits: February 2-5, 2010
Seminars: February 1-5, 2010
Click here to get FREE admission to the exhibit and a discount on seminars.

• SEAOI Trade Show
January 22, 2010, Chicago, Ill.

• American Concrete Institute Spring Convention
March 21 – 25, Chicago, Ill.