PCI Gulf South Newsletter | Issue #32 |
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10 Ionia Residence Inn
PTAC Consulting Engineers
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Precast allowed for efficient vertical construction for a building with highly complex geometry including tight radiused edges. The building’s precast wall system helped eliminate vertical elements in occupied spaces. The producer and design team combined the use of BIM Coordination and 3D modeling to deal with ever changing project details. Precast wall panels featured pre-glazed fenestrations which eliminated jobsite window installations, assisted in fast-tracking exercises and dried the project in quicker. The project featured a Hybrid Framing system including precast hollowcore floor slabs and load-bearing wall panels. |
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According to Habitat for Humanity’s website, the non-profit organization now works in all 50 states in the U.S. and in more than 70 countries. They have helped more than 39 million people achieve strength, stability and independence through safe, decent and affordable shelter. Millard and Linda Fuller, the founders of Habitat For Humanity had the concept of “partnership housing” which is combining new homeowners with community volunteers to build decent and affordable housing. Of course, we know of one of the more famous volunteers of Habitat President Jimmy Carter and his wife Rosalynn.
This year's collaborative precast studio program at Mississippi State concentrated on designing and building one of these habitat homes using precast concrete. I’m sure Millard and Linda never dreamed of using precast concrete to construct one of their houses but that was the task set before the students at Mississippi State. As I told the students the day of their final review, I was very impressed at their vision of designing with precast but was even more impressed by their passion to make it all work for those that needed a hand. The future of the design community looks bright.
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Curved, Spliced Precast Concrete U-Beam Bridge Webinar |
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Please join us for the upcoming Webinar Series on Curved, Spliced Precast Concrete U-Beam Bridges. This webinar will discuss the “state of the art” of curved and spliced precast concrete U-beam bridges.
The presentation will introduce the U-Beam technology and detail the challenges associated with the implementation and delivery of these types of structures. Understanding the role of the designer and design criteria, as well as a review of critical elements and constraints will be explained in the presentation. Also discussed will be resources which are available to the designer by PCI and emerging topics in the precast concrete industry.
Featured Presenter is William Nickas, Managing Director of Transportation Services
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MSU State PCI Foundation Studio Final Review |
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MS State, as part of their PCI Foundation Studio program, conducted final reviews on April 20th in the Giles Architecture Building. This year’s project was a Habitat For Humanity House within a neighborhood just outside of Starkville, MS. The studio, which is a collaborative effort between Architectural students and Construction Science students truly represents real world interactions.
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Save the Dates
PCI Gulf South will be exhibiting and presenting at this year's Engineering Society's meeting.
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Room block cutoff date is May 23rd |
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2022 PCI Gulf South Spring Meeting |
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Returning again to beautiful Natchez, MS, PCI Gulf South held the Spring Meeting on April 12th and 13th. Well attended, the meeting featured several presentations and voting in of new officers. |
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Learn@Lunch - Go Virtual! |
PCI Gulf South offers a variety of ways to reach the existing design community.
The Learn@Lunch program was developed to allow professionals the opportunity to learn about precast products and systems.
Get the design credits you need all without having to leave your home or office!
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The 2022 PCI Convention, which was held at the Loews Kansas City in Kansas City, MO saw a near return to normal. The Precast Show, which coincides with the Convention, saw a 20% rise in exhibitor spaces and attendance. On the business side of the convention, committee meetings were packed with attendees ready to continue PCI’s advancement forward.
Of particular note for PCI Gulf South, our very own Matt DeVoss of Jackson Precast became the Chairman of the PCI Board of Directors. Matt will maintain this post for a year and help guide PCI forward with the theme of inviting the younger generation into our industry and getting them more engaged with what we do. Next year's convention will be held in Columbus, OH. Bring your coats!
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ASCE Gulf Coast Student Symposium |
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The ASCE Gulf Coast Student Symposium is held every year within the PCI Gulf South Region (Alabama, Mississippi and Louisiana) and normally garners over 400 students. After a break for the recent pandemic, this year’s event enjoyed over 300 students at the Auburn University campus for the three day sponsored competition. |
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The Spring 2022 issue of Ascent Magazine is Here!
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The Spring 2022 issue celebrates the precast concrete industry’s most innovative projects. PCI’s 2022 Design Awards winners showcase the creativity, versatility, and collaboration among our members that makes our industry great. |
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If you are a recently graduated student and want to continue to receive emails from PCI Gulf South, please be sure to update your email address as
most school email addresses expire after 6 months!
To update, simply forward your new email address to
pcigulfsouth1@att.net and we will update it in our system.
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PCI Quality Control School |
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PCI Quality Control Schools train to the standards defined by plant quality control manuals MNL-116, Manual for Quality Control for Plants and Production of Structural Precast Concrete Products, and MNL-117, Manual for Quality Control for Plants and Production of Architectural Precast Concrete Products. See upcoming sessions or register at the link below. |
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In the late 1950's and the early 1970's, the Spanish artist Pablo Picasso designed five murals for buildings in Oslo, Norway. The designs were Picasso's first attempt at monumental concrete murals. In his later years, Picasso turned to concrete as a medium for murals and sculptures because of the versatility and durability of concrete. |
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Energy Efficiency and Precast Concrete |
Environmental discussions are becoming more important and precast has become a part of those discussions because of its ability to act as an energy efficient construction solution. Through its numerous design benefits, precast can be the "go to" solution for clients looking to meet sustainability goals and reduce their impact on the environment. |
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