PRECAST UNIVERSITY

As part of its mission to develop comprehensive educational resources for the precast concrete industry, NPCA provides plant personnel with in-depth learning opportunities taught by expert industry instructors as part of Precast University. Comprised of special topic “schools,” Precast University courses involve a multi-day commitment that includes extensive curriculum and an exam.

As of July 2011, the requirements for PQS II – Safety have been updated to better accommodate participants who have already earned an OSHA Safety Card. Participants who meet one of the following requirements will receive full credit for completion of PQS II – Safety:

• Successful completion of NPCA’s 4-hour PQS II – Safety module AND hold a valid OSHA 10-hour Safety Card
• Hold a valid OSHA 30-hour Safety Card
• Hold a valid OSHA Instructor Card

For those with an OSHA 30-hour or OSHA authorized trainer card you must submit a copy of your valid OSHA card along with the application to NPCA in order to receive credit for PQS II – Safety. The application can be found on www.precast.org, and will also be available onsite.

Production and Quality School Level I (PQSI)
Mel C. Marshall, Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants Inc.
Sam Lines, Concrete Sealants Inc.

NPCA’s Production and Quality School (PQS Level I) is NPCA’s flagship course, and is the perfect starting point to provide plant personnel with the fundamentals of quality precast concrete manufacturing. Designed especially for all production personnel and QC inspectors, this course covers all aspects of manufactured concrete production, from raw materials to post-pour inspection, with special emphasis on maintaining high quality throughout the entire manufacturing process. This course satisfies the plant certification requirements outlined in section 1.1.3 of the 8^th edition of the NPCA Quality Control Manual for Precast and Prestressed Plants.

Attendees who successfully complete PQS Level I will be able to:

• Identify the key components for making quality precast concrete and proper handling techniques for each
• Describe in detail the entire manufacturing process of producing quality precast concrete from pre-production to post-production
• Calculate the impact of temperature of aggregates, cement and water on concrete mixes
• Convert metric reinforcement bar size to ASTM standard reinforcing bar sizes
• Explain the fundamental elements of a quality concrete mix design and troubleshoot potential mix design flaws
• Create a quality control manual specific to their plant production practices while incorporating industry best practices

PQS – Sunday, March 4 (Day 1)
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

PQS – Monday, March 5 (Day 2)
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please Note: Participants in this school are required to attend both days of class and pass the exam to obtain a certificate of course completion. Please make your travel arrangements accordingly.

PQS Level II – Technical (PQSII)
Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP, NPCA

PQS Level II – Technical is designed for plant personnel who are responsible for the accurate design, interpretation of drawings, product setup or quality control in the plant. Attendees will learn the technical concepts that explain why we do things the way we do them in the plant. This curriculum will decode technical industry jargon and provide attendees with a better technical understanding of the entire precasting process. Technical concepts such as center of mass and structural analysis will be presented in layman’s terms, as well as discussing their impact on reinforcement placement and proper lifting techniques. We will discuss the mechanical properties of concrete and steel, blueprint reading, proper rigging and lifting, knowledge of specifications and much, much more. In preparing to take PQS II – Technical, attendees should possess a basic knowledge of geometry, trigonometry, elementary algebra and basic physics. A scientific calculator is recommended for this course.

Attendees who successfully complete PQS Level II – Technical will be able to:

• Identify basic mechanics and fundamental aspects related to stress, strain and stiffness
• Interpret the basics of blueprint reading and reinforcement as it relates to plans
• Apply proper lifting techniques of concrete elements to prevent unexpected movements or failures
• Discuss the development of standards and the requirements to comply with them

PQS Level II – Tech. Sunday, March 4 (Day 1)
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

PQS Level II – Tech. Monday, March 5 (Day 2)
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please Note: Participants in this school are required to attend both days of class and pass the exam to obtain a certificate of course completion. Please plan your travel arrangements accordingly.

PS6 – PQS II – Safety: Precast Module
Saturday, March 3 ● 7:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Gus Gonzalez, Safe-T-at Work LLC

This four-hour module is a comprehensive, precast-specific course that examines safety issues associated with the precast production process. Course topics include: precast plant hazards; batching plant hazards; molds and forms; rebar and cage fabrication; curing and finishing; overhead crane and rigging; hand and power tool safety; and forklifts. Upon completion of this course, employees will be well grounded in safety as it applies to the precast industry. For those attendees who successfully complete the course and hold a valid OSHA 10-hour Safety Card, you can receive credit for PQS Level II – Safety by presenting your card at the conclusion of the course.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify potential safety hazards in your precast plant
• Apply techniques and implement programs to improve plant safety
• Lead toolbox talks on safety topics
• Develop action plans to address plant safety concerns

PQS Level III – Leadership (PQS III)
Greg Chase, Modern Precast Concrete

Attendees who complete this leadership course will learn valuable leadership principles they can immediately apply to their management style and leadership skills in their precast concrete manufacturing facilities. Learn how to recruit, hire, train and develop employees by communicating effectively, leading by example and celebrating success. Additional topics include time management, goal-setting, stress management and diversity. Owners, managers, supervisors and those who aspire to hold such positions in the future are encouraged to attend this course.

Attendees who successfully complete PQS Level III – Leadership will be able to:

• Employ effective leadership skills at precast operations
• Adapt management styles to the diverse workforces precast plants
• Identify effective methods to improve employee performance
• Communicate effectively with all employees – from hourly to senior management

PQS Level III – Sunday, March 4 (Day 1)
7:30 a.m. – 5:00 p.m.

PQS Level III – Monday, March 5 (Day 2)
7:30 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Please Note: Participants in this school are required to attend both days of class and pass the exam to obtain a certificate of course completion. Please plan your travel arrangements accordingly.

ADVANCED TECHNICAL & SUSTAINABILITY

Advanced Technical courses are intended for those who have completed production and safety track courses or PQS Level I, and those who have baseline industry knowledge and would like advanced training. Sustainability courses focus on meeting the needs of the present without compromising future generations.

AT1 – SCC: Flowable Concrete on Steroids
Thursday, March 1 ● 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Bill Ciggelakis, P.E., PSI

Are your workers tired? Does your plant have low production rates? Do you concrete products have an unsatisfactory surface finish? Then give your concrete mix the prescription for performance enhancement. Add SCC to your line up and improve your stats. SCC is specified by numerous DOTs and its use continues to expand. This course will guide you in the proportioning of a flowable concrete mix that requires no vibration for an excellent surface finish. Learn the metrics of measuring and documenting SCC compliance with NPCA’s Quality Control Manual for Precast and Prestressed Plants and your project specifications. Juice your concrete mix – not your players – for a championship season!

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize the characteristics of SCC
• Develop proper SCC mix proportions
• Describe the benefits of SCC
• Identify common challenges with SCC placement and implement corrective action
• Comply with NPCA’s Quality Control Manual SCC guidelines

Explore the technology and benefits of Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC) and how it can help you expand your company’s product lines. Attendees will learn about the potential opportunities that UHPC can provide by complementing and expanding their current business and product offerings through the development of new, innovative precast solutions. Target segments for UHPC applications range from structural to architectural markets, which open new opportunities for expanding your business. We will discuss important details of UHPC formulations, along with the batching, forming, placing and curing techniques for successful production of UHPC precast elements. You will learn about UHPC technologies and its scientific properties. Additionally, we’ll explain new sections in NPCA’s Quality Control Manual on architectural UHPC precast elements.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Compare and contrast UHPC from conventional concrete
• Discuss how UHPC can complement and expand your current business and product offerings
• Adjust your current production techniques to successfully implement UHPC in your plant
• Integrate NPCA’s QC Manual standards into your production process

By now, anyone who manufactures bridge or highway products has at least heard the term “LRFD” with respect to the design of those products. But what is it? How does it affect your current product designs? And, why the heck do we have to revise perfectly good designs to accommodate LRFD? This course is intended to take some of the mystery out of this new design methodology and answer some of these perplexing questions. Attendees will learn which precast products are directly referenced within the LRFD code, which products are not directly referenced and how each impacts your business.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Define LRFD and explain why it was developed
• Compare differences between AASHTO LRFD and AASHTO Standard (LFD)
• Understand the terms “design truck,” “design tandem” and “lane load” as they relate to the LRFD code
• Apply limit states to LRFD code
• Explain how traffic loads contribute to loading conditions on underground structures

Prestressing concrete provides a range of advantages but requires very skilled and technically knowledgeable personnel. This course will explore the principles and basics of prestressing, including best practices, safety concerns and quality control procedures. Attendees will review the history and theory behind prestressing, explain how and why it works, and present basic prestressing practice, force and elongation corrections, safety concerns and much more. This course is a must if you are considering expanding into the prestressed concrete sector or are new to prestressing. All employees of prestressed concrete manufacturers or those who supply to the industry should attend. If you are already PQS certified and would like to obtain your PQS – Prestress Level I certificate, this is your opportunity!

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Differentiate pre-tensioning and post-tensioning stressing methods
• Identify prestressed applications and products
• Recognize commonly used prestressing terminology and standards
• Apply NPCA’s Quality Control Manual requirements to the production of prestressed products
• Identify key safety concerns when prestressing

AT5 – Sustainable Construction with Green Concrete
Friday, March 2 ● 10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Farshad Rajabipour, Ph.D., assistant professor of Civil Engineering, Penn State University

As the focus on sustainability continues to grow, the need for greener concrete becomes more important. This course will examine new technologies that allow the production of greener concrete materials from recycled ingredients. You’ll learn how to implement these new technologies in a precast plant, which can not only help save the planet, but also potentially save you money. We’ll focus on technologies related to the use of recycled aggregates, recycled cementitious materials such as high volume fly ash concrete, alkali activated slag and fly ash concrete that contain zero Portland cement. We’ll also discuss how these technologies link to LEED standards.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe new technologies for greener concrete production
• Discuss how green concrete mixtures can be proportioned and produced, and how their properties compare with conventional Portland cement concrete
• Develop an action plan to implement greener production processes in your precast plant
• Identify the benefits and challenges related to adopting these new processes at your plant

This course illustrates how each step in the proportioning of a mixture relates to the fresh and hardened properties of concrete. Examples are provided with illustrations that reinforce the fundamental concepts of developing practical concrete mixtures. We will also discuss how improved performance can be obtained when using water-reducing admixtures, air-entraining admixtures and supplementary cements. Attendees will also explore how to achieve maximum product performance by creating the perfect mix for each job, examining the role specific admixtures play in improving performance and more.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Relate mix design steps to properties of concrete
• Discover how mix design can impact concrete performance improvements
• Discuss methods to obtain improved mix performance
• Troubleshoot common mix design problems

FINANCE

Finance Track courses are geared toward business owners, CFOs, accountants and others responsible for the long-term financial growth of the organization.

F1 – From Purchase Order to Payment: What Every Contractor and Supplier Needs to Know
Friday, March 2 ● 8:00 a.m. – 10:00 a.m.
John Greenhall,Cohen Seglias Pallas Greenhall & Furman PC

One of the biggest challenges for entities in the construction field is when businesses either start with a bad contract or purchase order or ignore the contract that’s already in place. In addition, the recovery for construction payment and claims becomes a high stakes game and usually the party that has the best documentation wins. This course will cover important legal aspects of the three major phases of any construction project: contract formation, day-to-day project issues and payment. We’ll discuss when to give notice of issues, how to write a notice letter without upsetting the client, the importance of electronic communication and what to do when project meeting minutes do not reflect your concerns. Also, you’ll learn the necessary steps to take throughout contract negotiation – during the project and after final completion – to better your chances for getting paid.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Review critical contract clauses for both suppliers and contractors at any tier
• Identify the appropriate documentation to keep during the construction of any project
• Use best practices throughout contract negotiation to better your chances for getting paid

With ever-increasing health care costs, small business owners have many questions about how health care will affect their businesses financially. Join us for an in-depth discussion of 10 significant issues every business owner needs to consider when projecting company health care expenditures over the next few years. We will explore the current state of the country’s health care system and the changes that will affect small business, look at tax effects of current legislation, identify the ins and outs of the new health care exchanges that will be created, and discuss recommendations for making the best use of health care expenditures. Attendees will learn the impact of Health Savings Accounts, penalties for not offering coverage, eligibility for small business tax credits, how health care reform will affect the self-employed, and more.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify which businesses will be required to offer health care coverage under the new law
• Obtain a timeline of key reform provisions that affect employers and individuals
• Implement the new reporting requirements
• Determine small business tax credit eligibility and benefits

MANAGEMENT & MARKETING

The Management and Marketing Track is specifically geared toward owners, senior managers and those who aspire to hold such positions in the precast concrete industry. Leading instructors in leadership, management and marketing will provide the latest in philosophy and techniques. These courses will offer the opportunity to network with fellow managers and owners to discuss common challenges.

MM1 – How Today’s Current Events Impact Tomorrow’s Profits
Thursday, March 1 ● 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Gene Marks, Marks Group P.C.

The past few years have seen a major financial crisis followed by a tepid recovery. Sweeping regulation has affected banking, healthcare, construction and other industries. The stock market has experienced wild fluctuations. Technology continues to advance. The value of our currency takes a significant swing on an almost daily basis. Taxes are creeping up. Unemployment remains stubbornly high. Markets which were once robust are now stagnant. And new opportunities are rising from the ashes. Where is the economy heading? What are these opportunities? How do smart business owners and managers adapt and thrive in the face of these political and economic challenges? For thousands of years, able entrepreneurs have successfully navigated around political, economic and financial turmoil. These people have understood that behind the events they can’t control lay opportunities for growth and security. Gene Marks, a frequent contributor to Fox News, Forbes, and the New York Times, will explain the meaning behind today’s numbers, the trends in Washington, the new technologies coming on the market, and where he expects tomorrow’s opportunities for the business community to be.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify key economic metrics driving today’s economy and the meaning behind the numbers
• Analyze recent legislation that directly affects the business community
• Recognize recent and pending technologies that will drive economic expansion for the business community

Dynamic speakers are made, not born. This two-hour workshop teaches you how to stand on your feet and convince your audience. Designed to make you a more dynamic presenter at lunch and learn presentations, you will learn how to get your message across to any audience, regardless of size or make-up. Your voice truly is a musical instrument and this workshop shows you how to use it to your advantage. Whether it is making the sale or getting your point of view through to the right people in a lunch and learn format, this session will make you a better communicator.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Deliver a better PowerPoint presentation
• Take control of an audience
• Present your point of view to the right people
• Read from a script naturally and make it your own voice

The question came out of left field, a question you never expected, and one for which you have no answer. What to do? Unacceptable options are stammering, silence, inappropriate laughter, and just plain verbal panic. What you need to do is think quickly, then take control. This three-hour workshop will give you the techniques and strategies you need to respond to difficult, even angry, questions from your customers. During this interactive session you will learn pragmatic methods to take and keep control of any conversation. This is the perfect program for those who must face difficult questions from customers, specifiers or inspectors each day. We espouse the Boy Scout motto: “Be Prepared!” and we’ll help to make sure that you are.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Take control when the questions get nasty
• Stand on your feet and persuade an audience
• Employ four specific response techniques
• Make your point of view in a tense situation
• Stay on-message, no matter the pressure

Friday, March 2 ● 10:45 a.m. – Noon

Aaron Ausen, Delmaray Concrete Products Inc.

Kirk Stelsel, NPCA

Bob Whitmore, NPCA

You’ve heard all the hype about social media, but you have a business to run and don’t have time to be on the computer all the time, nor do you have the budget to hire a full-time person to do it for you. NPCA understands these concerns and is here to help. Today’s younger generation turns to the internet as its primary source for information, and they’re now entering the workforce as precast plant employees, and as architects, engineers, contractors and public officials. When they need information about your products or your company, the first place they look is the internet. And they’ll not only be looking at your website. They’ll be searching for your Facebook page, checking for your Twitter feed and maybe even searching YouTube or Flickr for videos and photos. This session will outline the core benefits of getting involved with these key social media tools and help you plan to get the maximum results with minimum investment.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify the benefits of social media and how you can use it to your advantage
• Create your company account on Facebook
• Describe to employees how and why you want to engage in social media
• Define the advantages of a WordPress blog
• Use basic concepts that will enhance your social media and blogging efforts

In addition to creating a magical environment for “Guests” from around the world, Walt and Roy Disney mastered the art of business. In the end, they determined that leadership excellence, people management, quality service, brand loyalty and inspiring creativity were the five key principles that forge an invaluable formula for success. Not only have these time-tested business lessons helped establish Disney as one of the world’s leading brands, but thousands of organizations around the world have also successfully adapted these principles in their own pursuit of excellence. Now you have the unforgettable opportunity to go behind-the-scenes and experience proven Disney business philosophies at one of the leading business operations in the world firsthand. This two-hour tour features the five core principles taught by Disney Institute and shows how they come to life each day at the Walt Disney World® Resort for Disney’s Cast Members and Guests. You will explore the following locations:

• Textile Services: Visit a state-of-the-art laundry facility, one of the largest in the world, to see how committed, responsible, inspiring leaders are able to motivate a team to achieve amazing results
• Main Street, U.S.A.®: Take a stroll through this turn-of-the-century walkway to better understand how we strive to exceed every Guest’s expectations. Discover a tool that helps go beyond standard demographics to meet the needs, wants, stereotypes and emotions of Guests with innovative products and services.
• The “Utilidor” System: Journey beneath the Magic Kingdom® Park to visit support systems designed to improve the experiences of Cast Members and Guests alike. Discover how we use simple tools to engage and empower Cast Members to create lasting customer relationships that drive repeat business and brand loyalty.

PRODUCTION & SAFETY TRACK

The Production and Safety Track features important topics that will develop fundamental skills and explore best practices in the industry. Courses are designed for those involved in the daily production of quality precast concrete products and will offer topics that are appropriate for those seeking a broad range of knowledge in precast production.

PS1 – The Whys, Wheres and Hows of Reinforcement
Thursday, March 1 ● 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Mel C. Marshall, Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants Inc.

Concrete is very strong in compression, but very weak in tension. But what does this mean? We all know that reinforcement makes precast products stronger, more durable and easier to handle, but how is this accomplished? Why is it so important to place and space the reinforcing steel exactly the way it is specified on the project plans? Learn how misplacing the reinforcing steel by just one inch can reduce the product’s strength by as much as 25%. Attendees will analyze the purpose of reinforcing, the types and identifications, basic welding requirements, fabrication of cages, and the specifications that govern reinforcing.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify behavior of reinforced and non-reinforced concrete
• List types of reinforcement bars and wire mesh, and their ASTM Standards
• Calculate steel areas
• Predict how the improper placement of reinforcement will impact the strength of the final product

Friday, March 2 ● 8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Gary Munkelt, P.E., Gary K. Munkelt and Associates LLC

Lifting and handling is one of the most dangerous aspects of precasting. Proper design of lifting and handling systems is crucial for avoiding accidents and damage to the product. One system removes the product from the form and moves it to a storage area. Another system may be required for the customer to remove the product from a delivery truck and install it in the ground. This course will review proper methods and designs of inserts, lift loops and lifting equipment. Results from physical testing will also be presented.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify proper placement of lifting mechanisms in vaults and in slabs
• Determine pull out capacity
• Describe the principles of lift bar design
• Explain how loads transfer from lifting systems to the concrete

One of the great things about The Precast Show is the opportunity to see all of the latest tools and gadgets available to help you improve product quality, production efficiency and employee safety. But perhaps one of the most effective tools you can hand out to the people building your products is a set of well-detailed shop drawings. This course will explore what information should be included in your drawings and emphasize the importance of clear instructions. We’ll also provide tips and examples of how this information should be presented to ensure your finished product meets the needs and expectations of your customers.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the role of drawings in the manufacturing process and how to identify various types of drawings
• Introduce standard industry drafting practices such as the CRSI detailing manual
• Discuss drawing revisions and how to ensure that changes get into the proper hands
• Use drawings as a communication tool for speaking and reading the same language

Justin May, StormTrap LLC

In the increasingly competitive precast industry, companies simply can’t neglect their employees’ training and development needs. This is when a lunch and learn program is beneficial. A well planned lunch and learn can provide valuable employee training, boost morale and enhance individual motivation. Your program needs to be concise with relevant content that applies to your attendees. This course combines the tools necessary to assist in your stormwater lunch and learn presentations. You’ll learn how precast products meet the standards of the Clean Water Act Best Practices Manual and how precast concrete design alleviates the concern of long-term liability. We’ll also discuss the long-term cost benefits of precast over other stormwater systems. These tools will help you spread the word that precast is a 100+ year product.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify advantages of precast concrete stormwater management
• Incorporate the Inlet Grate Flow Calculator and the Detention/Retention Calculator as tools that are available to engineers
• Discuss long term cost benefits of precast concrete over other stormwater systems

This four-hour module is a comprehensive, precast-specific course that examines safety issues associated with the precast production process. Course topics include: precast plant hazards; batching plant hazards; molds and forms; rebar and cage fabrication; curing and finishing; overhead crane and rigging; hand and power tool safety; and forklifts. Upon completion of this course, employees will be well grounded in safety as it applies to the precast industry. For those attendees who successfully complete the course and hold a valid OSHA 10-Hour Card, you can receive credit for PQS Level II – Safety by presenting your card at the conclusion of the course.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify potential safety hazards in your precast plant
• Apply techniques and implement programs to improve plant safety
• Lead tool box safety talks
• Develop action plans to address plant safety concerns

QUALITY

The Quality Track is a new addition to NPCA’s career path. Courses in this sequence are appropriate for all levels of personnel. Because commitment to quality is of crucial importance in the precast industry, all precasters are encouraged to attend these courses.

Q1 – Durability of Concrete: Mechanisms and Mitigation to Ensure Long Life
Thursday, March 1 ● 1:30 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Farshad Rajabipour, Ph.D., assistant professor of Civil Engineering, Penn State University

Durability is the ability of concrete to last a long time without significant deterioration and need for repair. Durable concrete conserves resources, reduces costs over the life of the structure, and reduces the environmental impact of repairing and replacing. This course will cover four main causes of deterioration: corrosion of steel; alkali-silica reaction; freezing and thawing; and sulfate attack. We’ll discuss the mechanism of each reaction, as well as best mitigation methods to produce durable concrete. Case studies examining precast concrete durability problems will also be provided.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe mechanisms that cause concrete to deteriorate
• Identify the cause of deterioration based on the visible symptoms
• Describe main test methods used to evaluate durability of concrete
• Implement best mitigation methods including proper mix proportioning and choice of chemical and mineral admixtures to produce durable concrete

Lean manufacturing is a set of useful tools that can be used to streamline your business. The principle theory is the elimination of wasteful processes that do not add value. Attendees will discuss the basic elements of lean manufacturing and how they can be used not only to improve processes at work, but also at home. See how lean fits into the world around you. The bottom line: save time, increase capacity and reduce costs!

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Explain the basic tools of lean manufacturing
• Identify processes where variation and waste exist
• Use the tools of lean manufacturing in your workplace
• Implement a simple lean project at your office, plant or home

Quality concrete is a mixture of cement, water and aggregates that will ultimately meet the requirements for which it is designed. Generally, the most consistent characteristic of concrete is its ability to continually change, creating the need for troubleshooting. Producing the perfect product can be extremely frustrating and time consuming due to constant variability in raw ingredients and advancing a mix from design stages to a desired finish. This course will cover troubleshooting of concrete in both plastic and hardened states as well as proper handling of cementitious products, aggregates and admixtures. We’ll discuss how each concrete material affects plastic and hardened properties. We’ll also tackle air entrainment and provide some tips to help maintain consistency.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Recognize how each concrete material affects the mix
• Identify causes and effects of concrete performance issues
• Explain the effects of air entrainment and provide tips for consistency

Proper testing throughout the manufacturing process is a key component of quality control. From porosity to strength to water tightness, understanding the methodology and desired results of each test is critical for QC personnel. This course will examine commonly used testing methods including compressive strength, air content, slump/spread, vacuum and unit weight testing, as well as the related ASTM guidelines. Additionally, we will discuss best practices for testing so that you, and your customer, can be assured of a quality precast product each and every time.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Discuss the basics of material testing and ASTM guidelines
• Perform physical testing at the precast plant
• Resolve problems of testing with vacuum after backfill
• Correlate test results to modifications in mix designs

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT EDUCATION

These courses are aimed at members of the specifying and regulatory communities. Courses are will address the many benefits of precast concrete products in design and construction today.

SEP – Precast Concrete Septic Tanks: Responsible Onsite Wastewater Treatment
Saturday, March 3 ● 7:30 a.m. – 9:00 a.m.
Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP, NPCA

How do we meet the environmental challenges of raising the quality of our water resources across North America? Installing precast concrete septic tanks is a great start. This course provides an overview of the science behind nitrification of water resources, its effects and a review of available technologies to effectively treat onsite wastewater to reduce harmful elements. In addition, we will identify the characteristics of quality precast concrete septic tanks including manufacturing and testing procedures, and discuss specific case studies. We will also share testimonials from homeowners, septic tank installers, septic tank manufacturers and environmental regulators as to why a precast concrete septic tank is the best choice for onsite wastewater treatment.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Describe the environmental impact of low-quality effluent on groundwater
• Modify and apply the engineering/technological solutions used in the case study to similar challenges in their practice area
• Explain how precast concrete’s attributes are well suited for these applications

Every city relies heavily on its underground infrastructure to move stormwater and wastewater effectively from one point to another. Though sight unseen, the integrity and durability of the components of this infrastructure is of vital importance to residents and to the surrounding ecosystem. This course will explore the city of Portland, Oregon’s challenge in cleaning up its waterways, and how precast concrete played a role in meeting that challenge. The course will start with a brief history of stormwater and wastewater collection as far back as ancient Rome. Attendees will then learn about different systems including new technologies. In addition, we will look at the manufacturing methods and testing procedures used to ensure that precast concrete pipes, manholes and other components will withstand the harsh conditions.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will be able to:

• Identify new technologies
• Explain key quality control  components in the precast concrete manufacturing process
• Describe three common failure points in stormwater systems and how to prevent them

TITAN – Titan II Power Users – 2012 

Saturday, March 3 ● 8:00 a.m. – 10:30 a.m.

Location: OCCC – Room W223

$125 Member full package

$185 Member a la carte

$145 Non-member full package

$205 Non-member a la carte

James Muka, Muka Development Group LLC

Created for all Titan users, this completely new Titan Power User course will delve into the many new Titan features rolled out within the last year and also explore underutilized features and utilities. This insightful course will cover the new productivity features from Titan’s 16 Precast Management modules including: new Mobile Menu features, productivity tools for sales reps, Routing Manager and Google Maps for dispatchers, new screens and features for production schedulers and general productivity tools for all staff members. This course will stress concepts and tools that can be implemented immediately to improve your company’s effectiveness, competitive advantage and bottom line. Whether you are a sales representative, project coordinator, engineer, dispatcher, production scheduler, plant manager, accounting clerk or the CFO, this course has something for everyone in your organization.

At the conclusion of this course, participants will have an understanding of Titan’s:

• New Mobile Menu features
• Route Manager and Google Maps features
• New Quote Pricing Scenario features
• Various automatic emailing features including Invoices, Statements and POs
• New Reports and Registers
• New column display and sorting features
• New product maintenance features and utilities
• New Anticipation Date features for pipe and related products
• New Assembly Structure features
• New copy features including Copy Job, Copy Structure and Copy Line items