Concrete Products covers the issues that attract producers of ready mixed and manufactured concrete focusing on equipment and material technology, market development and management topics.
Issue link: http://concrete.epubxp.com/i/442865
52 • January 2015 www.concreteproducts.com The PCI Foundation serves as a not-for- profit organization to foster improve- ment of the quality and sustainability of the built environment. Programs work in conjunction with Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute content to create a liaison between the precast industry and education. PCIF has sponsored programs in schools of architecture, engineering and construction management since 2007. Executive Director Marty McIntyre recent- ly announced plans for the new year. UNIVERSITY PROGRAMS During 2015, the PCIF will fund education- al programs running at: BRIEFS ORGANIZATIONS PCI Foundation firms up 2015 university commitments; launches professor program • Clemson University. School of Architecture Professor Carlos Barrios will work with stu- dents on a transit design program, offered in year two of a four-year study. Students will gain understanding of digital design solu- tions to precast concrete for innovative and sustainable design in architecture. • Minnesota State at Mankato. Professors Farhad Reza and Mohamed Diab from the schools of engineering and construction management run an integrated program that will study a real-world project in conjunction with Wells Concrete in Albany, Minn. The pro- gram is in its first academic year. • Rhode Island School of Design. Housed in the school of architecture, this program is taught by professors Jim Barnes and Brett Schneider. The studio is designed create opportunities for serious engagement with industry as a strate- gy for learning about construction technology and the industry as a whole. • South Dakota State University. School's program pairs architecture and construction management students toward an end goal of a project they design and build using precast supplied by Gage Brothers in Sioux Falls, S.D. Professor Brian Rex leads the program. • University of Southern California. Students will work with Joshua Tree National Park offi- cials to help create a future building plan for the facility to include precast concrete. Taught in the school of architecture by professors Douglas Noble and Karen Kensek, the pro- gram is in its third year. Additionally, speak- ers covering precast topics will be part of a USC-sponsored enclosure conference. • University of Texas at Arlington. Now in year two, the PCIF program at UTA studies digital design tools' impact on the methods and types of precast formwork. It is led by architecture professor Bradley Bell. • University of North Florida. The founda- tion-sponsored portion of the UNF studio will finish its five-year run in March. Dr. Adel ElSafty from the Civil Engineering school will continue the program, featuring guest speakers, Big Beam contest participation and design courses. Students graduating from this program have gone on to work for state departments of transportation, bridge designers and engineering firms. PROFESSORS SEMINAR The Foundation is introducing a three-day pro- gram for architecture professors who wish to learn more about precast concrete design and how it can be taught in the university class- room or studio. The intensive workshop will