AISC Releases Design Guide about Revolutionary SpeedCore System
CHICAGO - The American Institute of Steel Construction has added a new design guide to its library, and it’s all about speed! Design Guide 38, SpeedCore Systems for Steel Structures gives designers everything they need to take advantage of the nonproprietary concrete-filled composite steel plate shear wall core system that shaved a whopping 10 months off the erection schedule of Seattle’s 58-story Rainier Square. It’s available for download at aisc.org/dg; a printed version will be available...
America’s Cement Manufacturers Launch Microsite to Showcase Crucial Early Progress in Realizing Carbon Neutrality
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Season after season of once-in-a-lifetime severe weather events spotlights the importance of the cement and concrete industry producing materials that are not only resilient and durable, but also sustainable. Through their Roadmap to Carbon Neutrality, members of the Portland Cement Association (PCA) – which represents the majority of U.S. cement producers – have committed to greater sustainability, and are developing cutting-edge methods to reduce emissions while continuin...
AISC Releases New Version of Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-22)
CHICAGO - The latest version of the American Institute of Steel Construction’s flagship standard, the Specification for Structural Steel Buildings (ANSI/AISC 360-22), is now available at aisc.org/2022spec. This document supersedes ANSI/AISC 360-16, and it is the foundation for the forthcoming 16th edition of the Steel Construction Manual, which AISC expects to publish later this year. “The first edition of the AISC Specification was released in 1923,” said James Malley, chair of the AISC C...
Prefabricated wooden elements increase sustainability and efficiency in construction
Wood element construction has significant advantages over traditional on-site construction. It lowers carbon emissions during construction, element prefabrication indoors reduces possible moisture damage and the finished elements can be installed rapidly in almost any weather conditions. In addition to the cost-effective logistics of prefabricated elements, the overall time on the construction site is significantly reduced. Consistent quality is important Material choices have a big impact...
Updated AISC Standard for Certification Programs Available for Public Review
CHICAGO - A draft of the next edition of the AISC Standard for Certification Programs (AISC 207) is now available for public review and comment. When completed, this document will supersede AISC 207-20. AISC expects to finalize and release it by early 2024. The draft will be available as a free download at aisc.org/publicreview between January 9 and February 23, 2023. If you’d prefer to review a hard copy, please contact Martin Downs at downs@aisc.org; there is a $35 nominal charge for pri...
Portland Cement Association Regards EPA Proposed Action Involving Particulate Matter Air Quality Standards as Superfluous
Fine Particle Pollution has continuously dropped for decades, and will continue to fall without newly proposed EPA action. The move could also harm progress of infrastructure programs. Washington, D.C. – Portland Cement Association (PCA), which represents the majority of America’s cement manufacturers, opposes the proposed decision from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to tighten the Particulate Matter (PM) National Ambient Air Quality Standards (NAAQS). The move would r...
PCA Introduces Updated RCC Design Manual
Roller-compacted concrete reference for spillways and overtopping protection revised for 2023 Washington, D.C.—The Portland Cement Association (PCA), which represents the majority of America’s cement manufacturers, is pleased to announce the release of the second edition of Design Manual for RCC Spillways and Overtopping Protection. This edition provides the latest in design trends, mix designs, control sections, and construction means and methods for roller-compacted concrete (RCC) spillw...
NSBA/Modjeski and Masters Release Guide to Uncoated Weathering Steel: the Ultimate Economical, Low-Maintenance, Sustainable, Fast Bridge Material
CHICAGO - Since the 1960s, Departments of Transportation around the country have taken advantage of a remarkably sustainable, efficient, economical building material: uncoated weathering steel, or UWS. The new Uncoated Weathering Steel Reference Guide, developed by Modjeski and Masters, offers bridge designers and owners everything they need to take full advantage of this efficient and low-maintenance corrosion protection system, from design to detailing to fabrication to construction to insp...
American Concrete Institute Publishes Code Requirements for Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars
FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich- The American Concrete Institute, through the work of ACI Committee 440, has released ACI CODE-440.11-22: Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete Reinforced with Glass Fiber-Reinforced Polymer (GFRP) Bars. The code was developed by an ANSI-approved consensus process and addresses structural systems, members, and connections, including cast-in-place, precast, nonprestressed, and composite construction. This is the first comprehensive building code covering the...
Purdue research buzzing about construction lessons taken from bees, honeycombs
Nikhilesh Chawla, the Ransburg Professor of Materials Engineering at Purdue University, and Rahul Franklin, a graduate research assistant in materials engineering, prepare to examine a honeybee comb sample with a 3D X-ray microscope at the Flex Lab in Discovery Park. Examining the combs has uncovered new techniques used by the bees that could translate into new building concepts. (Purdue University photo/Dave Mason) Insects offer new ideas on materials use, structure strength via 4D time-l...
Stormwater Interview with Robert Page, P.E., Vice President, HNTB
Santa Barbara County North Branch Jail Expansion
February Issue 2026
