Event Summary
The recent CCT/TxDOT Concrete Conference brought together leading minds from the concrete industry to delve into the latest advancements shaping Texas infrastructure. Hosted in Austin, Texas, this event covered the fundamental role of concrete paving and bridge construction in fostering resilience and sustainability in our modern world. We recorded a total of 240 registrations, comprising 58 speakers, two keynote speakers, our distinguished lecturer, and 10 session moderators.
As in previous years, the conference featured the three primary tracks of highways, bridges, and street and local roads. However, recognizing the evolving needs of the industry, the conference workgroup opted to incorporate a sustainability and resiliency track to address the growing importance of environmental considerations and infrastructure resilience in modern construction practices.
Key Topics and Discussions:
- Highway Pavements: The conference covered a broad spectrum of topics pertinent to concrete pavement performance, rehabilitation and evaluation strategies, and design and construction challenges. Attendees gained insights into the complex interplay of variables for continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) such as steel arrangement, design life, and foundation layers, all of which significantly impact pavement resilience. The discussion extended to rehabilitation techniques aimed at restoring aging pavements and maximizing their service life. Evaluation strategies were also explored, introducing innovative techniques such as the Traffic Speed Deflectometer (TSD) for assessing the structural condition of jointed pavements. Additionally, two sessions were dedicated to addressing the inherent design and construction challenges encountered in concrete pavement projects. These sessions drew upon examples from diverse projects across the state of Texas, illustrating how both common and unique issues were tackled in different geographical areas.
- Bridge: With climate change posing fire threats to infrastructure, the bridge track opened with a session dedicated to the evaluation of fire damages on bridges and the protection and prevention techniques to mitigate potential risks and enhance structural resilience. Additional topics of discussion encompassed strategies for addressing challenges in bridge infrastructure and exploring innovations in bridge construction methodologies. The track concluded with a session hosted by faculty of the University of Texas at Austin (UT) – Concrete Bridge Engineering Institute (CBEI). Attendees had the opportunity to delve into specific projects, gaining valuable insights into their design and execution, and were able to join in a facility tour at the end of the session. A special thanks is extended to Doug Beer, TxDOT Bridge Division retiree, for his invaluable assistance in coordinating the bridge track.
- Streets and Local Roads: In the streets and local roads track, a diverse range of topics was covered to address the multifaceted challenges and opportunities within the pavement industry. Attendees engaged in discussions on the competitive landscape of the pavement market, exploring strategies for fostering healthy competition while maintaining quality standards and cost-effectiveness. Best practices for jointing were also highlighted, emphasizing the importance of proper joint design and maintenance in ensuring pavement durability and performance over time. A dedicated session on roller compacted concrete (RCC) provided insights into this innovative paving technique, discussing its advantages, applications, and considerations for successful implementation in local roads, ports and dam projects. Furthermore, topics on pervious concrete and roundabouts were included to showcase sustainable and efficient solutions for enhancing urban infrastructure. A big takeaway from this session was a presentation on Travis County's pioneering initiative: the construction of its first concrete road in 18 years. This case study highlighted concrete as the optimal choice and demonstrated the critical role that concrete paving plays in achieving cost-effective solutions and ensuring durability, especially for roads experiencing heavy traffic.
- Sustainability and Resiliency: Attendees explored the concept of sustainability from a national and local perspective. Discussions centered on holistic approaches to sustainability that optimize resource use and minimize environmental footprint such as opting for optimized gradation in concrete mixes and the use of Type IL cement. The Sustainability and Resiliency Part II Session opened up with a presentation by Brian Killingsworth, Executive Vice President for the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), on “Concrete – The Most Sustainable Material” and proceeded with a panel discussion on Type IL cement with representatives of the Cement Council of Texas member companies. Each member company shared their individual company’s sustainability journey and discussed what it takes to successfully bring new and sustainable products to market. Key attributes to success were testing, testing, communication, new mix-designs, and more testing.
- EIT Sessions: The Engineering in Training (EIT) sessions were included in the program for the second time, and once again, they attracted a high level of attendance and were deemed highly successful overall.
- Concrete 101: Rachel Cano, Transportation Engineer for the TxDOT Materials and Test Division, gave an excellent presentation taking us back to the importance of concrete fundamentals.
- Concrete Pavements: TxDOT’s rigid pavement policy was discussed, and the new design procedure interface, TxCRCP-ME, was introduced. The design parameters embedded in PavementDesigner.org were also discussed.
- Bridge: The bridge session included a presentation on common retaining walls and their selection criteria, as well as discussions on bridge decks and the design of prestressed beams.
Highlights and Takeaways:
Lunch & Awards Ceremony
This year, we were delighted to announce three technical award categories: Bridge, Highway Pavements, and Maintenance and Rehabilitation. The Bridge Award was presented to the TxDOT Pharr District (owner and designer), TxDOT Bridge Division (designer), and Anderson Columbia (contractor) for their exceptional work on the replacement of the Arroyo Veleno Bridge in Zapata, Texas. Spanning over 1,870 feet, this project faced the unique challenge of constructing a bridge over a lake prone to significant fluctuations in water surface elevation during hurricane season.
The Highways Award recognized the TxDOT Fort Worth District (owner) and Structural Engineering Associates (designer) for their outstanding contributions to the SH 199 Main Lanes project from 1886 to Denver Trail. This project was part of the Congestion Relief Projects for the Texas Clear Lanes initiative, and its successful execution resulted in more predictable travel times, reduced fuel consumption, and significantly enhanced mobility and safety.
Finally, the Maintenance and Rehabilitation Award was bestowed upon the TxDOT Atlanta District (owner), TxDOT Bridge Division (designer), and Flatiron (contractor) for their successful preservation of the Bowie County Bridge on US 67 at Bassett’s Creek. Through the application of a thin concrete overlay, the bridge deck surface has been effectively preserved, demonstrating excellent performance to date.
A new award category was included in this year’s conference, the Robert V. Lopez Award, named in honor of Bob Lopez, who founded the Cement Council of Texas in 1986. This award honors individuals who have shown outstanding dedication to serving the cement and concrete industry. Dan Rozycki, President of the Transtec Group, was honored with the 2024 Robert V. Lopez Award in recognition of his significant contributions to the industry and his remarkable dedication to advancing pavement design and construction through practical innovations. Amy Swift, Director of Administration for the Cement Council of Texas, presented Dan with the award, expressing that Bob Lopez would have been delighted and fully supportive of Dan receiving this recognition.
Looking Ahead:
As the "Concrete Solutions for Sustainable Infrastructure" conference draws to a close, the momentum for transformative change in the concrete industry continues to build. The insights gained, connections made, and innovations showcased at the 2024 Concrete Conference serve as an excellent platform for driving positive change and advancing sustainability and resiliency in concrete infrastructure.
Looking ahead, while the next CCT/TxDOT Concrete Conference will take place in 2026, there are many opportunities to continue learning and engaging the industry leaders and experts. CCT offers a range of educational resources, including workshops, lunch and learn sessions, and one-on-one consultations, to further deepen understanding on the technologies and methods available in the cement and concrete sector.
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