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The National Wind Institute at Texas Tech University finds that concrete is the best material to stand up to hurricanes and tornadoes. This video shows the real strength of concrete in a wind storm. Watch Build With Strength wind test video featuring Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association President David Perkins and Target Strength Concrete winner Dan Jeray, Redi-Mix Concrete.
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The General Sessions will feature FHWA and TxDOT administrators providing perspectives on agency plans and priorities. Additionally, distinguished technical lecturers will serve as a capstone to the entire conference.
Technical breakout sessions will focus on the latest developments in three key areas: Highways, bridges and local streets and pavements. Among other topics, you'll learn:
You can even extend your learning and networking by attending the added Engineering Ethics presentation (required annually for all Texas PEs) on Monday, April 9th, as a prelude to the Concrete Conference Golf Tournament later that morning. The Ethics presentation is open to all attendees, whether or not joining in the tournament. The registration fees for the conference make this an especially good value. CCT's cement company members, conference sponsors and exhibitors help keep these costs low (by March 23rd):
Who should attend? If you are a stakeholder in the critical construction and renewal of Texas' transportation infrastructure, the TxDOT/CCT Concrete Conference is for you:
By: Jan R. Prusinski, PE
The National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center) at Iowa State University has recently published a comprehensive "Guide to Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) with Cement." This 90-page manual was developed in cooperation with the Portland Cement Association and many product experts from around the country, including CCT's own Matthew Singel. It will serve as a centerpiece in CCT's just-announced one-day seminar series "Best Practices for Cement Stabilization and Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavements," to be held at seven Texas locations between August and December, 2017. FDR is often the lowest-cost method of recycling failed asphalt pavements into highly durable bases. It is an in-place operation that pulverizes the existing surface and base, then adds a small amount of cement to provide a fast-curing and long-lasting base that stands up to heavy trucks and saturated conditions. Construction is fast, often completed in one day, so light traffic can be applied afterwards; and the need to excavate huge amounts of old material and replace it with new base material--and the associated heavy truck traffic--is avoided. The guide provides not only an introduction to FDR with cement, but it also comprehensively covers key topics:
If you are interested in being trained in this technique, using the new guide, please consider attending one of the CCT's 7 upcoming seminars. To find out more about FDR, and download the guide, visit the CP Tech Center's website. 
By: Jan R. Prusinski, PE
San Antonio's Belknap Place is over a century old, and still going strong. Last May, it was commemorated with a Texas State Historical Marker, and in December the American Concrete Pavement Association presented its Longevity Award to the City for Belknap Place. As President Trump contemplates a $1 trillion infrastructure investment, and the ASCE discusses America's overall D+ in its 2017 Infrastructure Report Card, Belknap Place stands as a monument to wise public investment in a resilient technology. Click here for a Belknap Place slideshow and report. By: Jan R. Prusinski, PE
Is your knowledge up to date on how to design, construct and maintain concrete pavements? Do you know current best practices for stabilizing base materials and soils with cement? Have you considered roller-compacted concrete for a street or industrial site, but don't know how to design or specify it? Are you giving your clients--public agencies, facility owners, the traveling public--the best performing pavements at the lowest cost? If these or similar questions are on your mind, then the Cementx Pavement Blog is for you. Also, you can register for updates and a free giveaway. 
The Cement Council of Texas has redesigned it's website for 2017. You can still find us at www.cementx.org but the site is now is easier to read and navigate, as well as being mobile and tablet friendly. We want to make this site better for you, the building professional, and make it your Texas resource for news, knowledge and events on concrete and cement pavements, infrastructure, and construction. We're celebrating by giving away valuable publications on concrete pavement and stabilized bases/subgrades for subscribers to our email updates. And you'll also be registered for a May 1st drawing for even more valuable publications from the American Concrete Institute and the Portland Cement Association.
 By: Jan R. Prusinski, PE
As they say, things are bigger in Texas; of course, this carries over into infrastructure needs too. Today's Houston Chronicle published three articles highlighting various aspects of potential mega-projects that would bolster Texas' infrastructure.  Click to enlarge - Courtesy of National Concrete Pavement Technology Center By: Richard B. Rogers, PE
Concrete pavement overlays can be an economical method to rehabilitate both concrete and asphalt pavements (see the Guide to Concrete Overlays from the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center.) But, the concrete overlay pavement design methods being used today, yes even AASHTO ME, are overly conservative. Why should a concrete overlay of an asphalt pavement in structurally good condition be only 2 inches thinner than a new concrete pavement on a subbase and subgrade. Better methods are available--just not used--to take advantage of the existing pavement structure. By: Richard B. Rogers, PE
If your concrete pavement is starting to show some distress, then it may be time give it a new life with a bonded concrete overlay. A 4-inch bonded concrete overlay is faster and more economical than full reconstruction or an asphalt overlay and has a history of providing 25 years of service with excellent performance. Bill Brudnick, Houston District Design Engineer or Mike Hallum, Wichita Falls District, Area Engineer have both had successful experiences with thin bonded overlays. The CCT can provide examples, design strategies, and construction techniques...just contact us. "This blog was previously posted in the Cement Council of Texas' "Texas Cement and Concrete Blog" (now inactive) and was carried forward to the current blog ("Cementx Pavement Blog") as it contains content that may be of interest to the reader". |
PURPOSEThe Cementx Pavement Blog seeks to make pavement owners, engineers and contractors smarter about selecting, designing, constructing and maintaining pavements. New blog postings began February 1, 2017; however, we carried over pavement-related blog postings from our older blog, the "Texas Cement and Concrete Blog," which ran until December 2016.
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The Cement Council of Texas promotes the proper use of cement and concrete in pavements, infrastructure, buildings, homes and other construction applications. We are the non-profit trade association of portland cement manufacturers and shippers in Texas.
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The materials and information contained herein are for general guidance and reference purposes only for professionals competent to evaluate the significance and limitations of their content. The materials and information do not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation. Third party materials reflect the views of the authors, who are responsible for the accuracy of the facts, data, opinions, findings, and conclusions presented therein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the Cement Council of Texas.