The CUP Awards

The Creative Use of Precast Awards (CUP) recognize projects that promote the innovative and cost-saving advantages of precast concrete over other materials.

ABOVE GROUND FIRST PLACE
Port of Oswego Floating Docks
Location: Oswego, N.Y.

The words “floating” and “precast” are not typically used synonymously, but that was exactly the task Jefferson Concrete Corp. faced when the Port of Oswego Authority in New York decided to build a 630-foot dock for Lake Ontario.

The harbor faces the winds and fury of storms that push across the lake unabated for 193 miles. The Port Authority wanted a solid docking system that could not only provide a stable platform for boaters, but serve as a breakwater for the inner harbor. Read More »

Quiet Please!

Precast concrete sound walls, whether reflective or absorptive, are the best choice for noise abatement.

By Evan Gurley

In 1972, the United States passed the Noise Control Act authorizing the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) to regulate major sources of noise to protect public health and the environment. In addition, the EPA issues noise emission standards for motor vehicles used in interstate commerce. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces these standards.

EPA Maximum Noise Emission Levels: Newly Manufactured Trucks*

*Trucks with Gross Vehicle Weight Rating (GVWR) over 10,000 lb (4,540 kg)
** Society of Automotive Engineers Inc. (SAE) test procedure for acceleration under 35 mph (56 km/h).
***dB: noise intensity is measured in decibel units (dB); “dB” is the most common type of scale for measuring sound. Read More »

Class-A Experience

Architectural precast concrete provides the solution to a stand-out office building in a high-visibility location.

By Deborah R. Huso

When commercial real estate company Parker Properties decided to add a Class A* office structure to its portfolio in the planned community of Valencia Gateway in Santa Clarita, Calif., the developers knew the project was both an excellent opportunity and a challenge. “We knew there was a need for more office space in the community – Class A in particular” says Matt Jepsen, vice president of design and construction for Parker, “and the site we selected was on a cul de sac next to two hotels right on the freeway.” It made for an excellent location, but also a prominent one. There could be no skimping on the details if the building was going to attract a high-end tenant and also complement the surrounding landscape of Southern California. When construction began in 2007, building material prices were on the rise and the real estate market beginning to waver, so time was of the essence. Architectural precast concrete provided a key part of the solution. Read More »

Precast by Design

Sophisticated mix designs and precise manufacturing techniques enable designers to create stunning precast concrete structures.

By Kyle Kerstiens, ASSOC. AIA, LEED AP

Welcome to the second annual architectural issue of Precast Solutions. Architectural precast concrete is one of the most versatile, dynamic building materials in 21st century construction. Computer-generated molds, increasingly sophisticated mix designs and precise manufacturing techniques have enabled designers to create stunning precast concrete structures. For this issue, we have selected a handful of projects that illustrate the wide range of possibilities that can be achieved with precast. We start in East Los Angeles at the Mariachi Station where custom precast veneers beautifully mimic natural stone. Then we move north to Redmond, Wash., to show how bridge abutment panels combine form and function for a sweeping, layered look. While we’re in Redmond, we look at how precast concrete helped achieve LEED Gold status at an office building. Then it’s on to Springville, Utah, to view an incredible home that features more than 1,000 pieces of precast concrete. Read More »

New Architectural Content in the 8th Edition of the NPCA Quality Control Manual

By Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP

As the precast concrete industry continues to evolve, the diversity of product lines continues to grow. The National Precast Concrete Association’s Plant Certification Program is part of this dynamic industry evolution and continues to adapt to meet member needs. To address the growth in the architectural precast sector, NPCA has added new content to its Quality Control Manual for Precast and Prestressed Concrete. Most of the architectural content will be found in Chapter 4 – Production Practices; however additional information related to architectural precast has been added throughout the manual. The process of furnishing fabrication drawings and mock-ups can be found in Chapter 1 – General, for example. Read More »