Learn about the latest developments and business strategies from industry experts as The Precast Show offers a variety of in-person classroom sessions through Precast University and six education tracks.
Learn about the latest developments and business strategies from industry experts as The Precast Show offers a variety of in-person classroom sessions through Precast University and six education tracks.
PRECAST UNIVERSITY
Starting with the fundamentals of precast concrete production and progressing through advanced technical, safety and leadership topics, NPCA’s Precast University offers a comprehensive series of precast-specific training courses for anyone who wants to advance in the industry. Precast University brings together all NPCA’s Production & Quality School (PQS) courses in a career path that concludes with an industry-recognized certification – the Master Precaster designation.
PQS – Production & Quality School Level I (PQS I)
Tuesday, Feb. 21, and Wednesday, Feb. 22
8:00 - 5:00 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenter: Mel C. Marshall, P.Eng., Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants Inc.
Eric Carleton, P.E., Precast Consultant
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A113
Member Package: $375 | Member a la Carte: $645
Non-member Package: $475 | Non-member a la Carte: $745
Production & Quality School (PQS 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 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 quality throughout the entire manufacturing process. This course satisfies the plant certification requirement of the current edition of the NPCA Quality Control Manual for Precast Concrete Plants.
Note: Participants 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.
At the conclusion of the course, you 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 sizes 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 plant production practices while incorporating industry best practices.

About the Presenters
Mel C. Marshall owns Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants based in Delta, B.C., a company he started in 1980. He has been actively involved in the design, manufacture and construction of concrete products and structures. Marshall has held the positions of general manager for one of the largest concrete pipe operations in Canada and president for a large Canadian wire and mesh manufacturing company, bringing more than 50 years of experience in the precast industry.

Eric Carleton is a licensed professional engineer who has worked with Armco Steel Corporation in their Construction Products Division, which later became Contech Construction Products. Prior to joining the NPCA staff in 2014, he worked for 27 years as the technical director and corporate engineer at the Independent Concrete Pipe Company in Indianapolis and St. Louis. Carleton served as past president for the Indiana Section of ASCE and Chairman for the Indiana Water Environment Association Collection Systems Committee, receiving the IWEA Tumble Bug Award and Indiana Collection Systems Professional of the Year. He has received the ASTM Award of Merit and, in 2014, received the Frank J. Heger Award from the American Concrete Pipe Association for technical contributions and a distinguished career in the concrete pipe industry.
PQS2 – PQS II – Production (PQS II)
Tuesday, Feb. 21, and Wednesday, Feb. 22
8:00 - 5:00 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenters: David Jablonsky, P.E., FPCI, ALP Supply; Todd Jones, ALP Supply; Barry Fleck, ALP Supply; Todd Spindler, Sika Corp.; Ashley Smith, Smith-Midland Corp.; AJ Krick, L2G Inc., and Claude Goguen, P.E., NPCA
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A110-A111
Member Package: $375 | Member a la Carte: $645
Non-member Package: $475 | Non-member a la Carte: $745
PQS Level II – Production is designed for plant personnel who will benefit from a comprehensive understanding of precast-specific production practices in four key areas: lifting and handling, issues related to production practices, lean manufacturing and patching and repair. This course goes beyond the fundamentals explored in PQS Level I to prepare students to think critically about the links between these four areas and common plant production and safety issues. Course participants go in-depth in exploring these topics, discussing best practices and learning to address production challenges in their plants. Shift supervisors, team leaders, production managers, batch plant operators, engineering and drafting personnel and those who aspire to these positions should attend.
Note: Participants 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.
Attendees who successfully complete PQS II – Production will be able to:
• Explain the key concepts of lean manufacturing and develop an action plan for implementing simple lean techniques.
• Identify the difference between structural and cosmetic repairs and employ the appropriate patching/repair techniques for each.
• Determine the most likely causes of cosmetic and/or structural concrete issues.
• Analyze the current lifting and handling techniques in your plant and assess these techniques to identify potential areas of improvement for plant safety.
PQS3 – PQS III – Leadership (PQS III)
Tuesday, Feb. 21, and Wednesday, Feb. 22
8:00 - 5:00 p.m. | 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.
Presenter: Sam Lines, Concrete Sealants Inc.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A114-A115
Member Package: $375 | Member a la Carte: $645
Non-member Package: $475 | Non-member a la Carte: $745
Attendees of this workshop learn what it means to be a leader – learning to lead themselves and influence others. The discussions, skits and activities presented will enhance the skills and knowledge necessary to become a person of influence. Attendees learn key attributes required to build teams, select employees and motivate others to accomplish the organization’s goals. Anyone who wishes to be a person of influence in their company, their community or in any organization is encouraged to attend this course.
Note: Participants 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.
Attendees who successfully complete PQS III – Leadership will be able to:
• Lead by example, creating a vision that others will want to follow.
• Build teams of individuals with unique, complementary strengths.
• Identify effective methods to motivate others, increasing performance.
• Become a transformational change agent for their organization.

About the Presenter
Sam Lines is the engineering manager for Concrete Sealants. He began his precast concrete career in 1990 as a project designer for Hartford Concrete Products in Indiana, rising to quality engineer and eventually quality and safety director. Joining Concrete Sealants in 2005, Lines brings his experience in precast to the industry by providing technical support, plant visits and education to precast plants across the United States. He holds an MBA from Indiana Wesleyan University and is a certified Lean Six Sigma Master Black Belt. Lines is on the NPCA Board of Directors for, the technical liaison for the Ohio Precast Concrete Association board of directors and vice chairman on the board of advisors for Wastewater Education 501c3.
CONCRETE PRODUCTION
The Concrete Production Track explores best practices in the precast industry and strengthens attendees’ knowledge of the fundamentals of quality precast concrete. Courses are designed for those involved in the daily production of quality precast concrete products and include safety and other topics that are appropriate for those seeking a broad range of knowledge in precast production.
CP1 – Lightweight Aggregate Concrete for Precast Applications
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Kenneth S. Harmon, P.E., Stalite Lightweight Aggregate
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A112
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Lightweight aggregate provides weight reduction that significantly reduces the number of trucks needed to deliver precast concrete products. Additionally, lightweight aggregate provides internal curing of concrete products, which enhances hydration of cementitious material, reduces cracking, improves long-term durability and extends service life. This presentation introduces expanded shale, clay and slate (ESCS) lightweight aggregates (LWA). We explain the rotary kiln process for manufacturing ESCS lightweight aggregates and discuss characteristics and properties of lightweight concrete and how it benefits precast concrete products and structures. This program also discusses applicable design considerations, specifications and codes.

About the Presenter
Kenneth S. Harmon, P.E., is the director of engineering resources for Stalite Lightweight Aggregate Company. He is a registered professional engineer in Georgia and is a member of ACI, ASCE and is past secretary of ASTM Subcommittee C09.21 Lightweight Aggregates and Concrete. He is the chair of the Expanded Shale, Clay and Slate Institute (ESCSI) Structural Committee. Harmon was the concrete promotion engineer for the Georgia Concrete & Products Association from 1987-93 and was a bridge design engineer in the HNTB Atlanta Office from 1979-87. He has authored papers for numerous conferences and symposiums, including ACI, PCI, CANMET/ACI and ECI.
CP2 – Precast 101
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Kayla Hanson, P.E., Concrete Sealants Inc.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A12`-A122
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
The precast concrete industry is consistently growing and evolving, and companies are continually working to hire and crosstrain employees. Ensuring employees get up to speed swiftly improves teamwork, enhances efficiency and helps new hires quickly become integral team members. This course is intended for those who are new to the precast industry or for those in roles outside of the typical production area.
This course introduces precast concrete industry terminology, equipment, processes and concepts. During this course, we discuss the similarities and differences between precast and cast-in-place concrete, address the benefits precast offers over alternative construction materials and discuss important terms like water-to-cement ratio. We also discuss different types of concrete used in the precast industry and common applications for each; look at typical raw materials and review the desirable characteristics to look for; and discuss different types of reinforcement, their uses and the importance of proper positioning. We review typical production practices and address best practices throughout each step – covering everything from proper material storage to proper handling and storage of products. Finally, we discuss fresh and hardened concrete tests and the importance of quality control and quality assurance.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Explain the difference between precast concrete and cast-in-place concrete and describe the benefits of precast concrete over other construction materials.
• Define common precast terms and their significance, including water-to-cement ratio.
• List the raw material types of reinforcement used in concrete production and describe common types of concrete used in precast and their applications.
• Outline the processes involved in precast concrete manufacturing – from raw material selection to handling cured products and beyond.
• Discuss the role of QA and QC in precast operations and list typical concrete tests and their purposes.

About the Presenter
Kayla Hanson, P.E., joined Concrete Sealants in March 2022 as a technical resource engineer. She provides technical consultation and product implementation assistance to customers, engineers and end-users of all ConSeal products. Prior to that, she worked for NPCA for more than eight serving as the director of technical services. She holds a degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and is a licensed professional engineer. She has served in various roles with ACI and ASTM, including the secretary and vice chair of ASTM Committee C27 on Precast Concrete Products, and currently serves as the subcommittee chair of ASTM C27.30 on Water and Wastewater Containers and is a member of ACI Committee 515 on Protective Systems for Concrete.
CP3 – Day-to-Day Production Challenges in the Precast Plant: A Discussion Forum
Friday, Feb. 24
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presenter: Jon Maxwell, Atlas Concrete Products; Jeremiah Hurley, Speed Fab-Crete; Maxwell Pryor, Atlas Concrete Products
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A112
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Precast concrete production involves many materials, machines and employees. Inevitably, challenges can pop up on any given day. Wouldn’t it be great to have a group of people in the room who do what you do and have some advice to offer? This course provides that opportunity. Bring your questions and join the discussion with experienced precast concrete managers and supervisors, representing a variety of precast products. These NPCA Master Precasters will share some of their most challenging situations and how they handled them. This will be an interactive course where attendees can share their own experiences and ask for advice from others who have been there. This sharing of experiences and knowledge can provide valuable ideas to take back and use when the next challenge falls in your lap.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Describe new ideas when dealing with plant employee issues.
• Identify innovative ways to deal with unexpected manufacturing challenges.
• Interpret challenges described by others and apply some of those solutions in your plant.


About the Presenters
Jon Maxwell has been in the precast business for more than 30 years, working in everything from laborer to operations manager to quality assurance. He has managed all daily aspects of precast production from production scheduling to employee management to supplier relationships.
Jeremiah Hurley works with Speed Fab-Crete in Fort Worth, Texas, and is a 2016 NPCA Master Precaster graduate.
CP4 – Fiber Reinforced Concrete in Precast Applications
Saturday, Feb. 25
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Heidi Helmink, Sika Corp.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A113
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This course covers the most common types of fibers in precast applications. What are the benefits of using fiber reinforcing? There are different benefits for micro and macro fibers. We discuss the applications that can be using fibers compared to some applications that do not lend themselves to fiber replacement. There will be a short discussion on the different calculation methods used and the associated testing methods as well as a brief discussion on the batching techniques used for fiber reinforced concrete.

About the Presenter
Heidi Helmink is the senior fiber technical manager and director of marketing at Sika. She is a member of ACI544 (fiber reinforced concrete), ACI506 (shotcrete) and ACI360 (Design of Slab on Ground). She also is a member of ASTM Committees: C27 (Precast Concrete Products), C13 (Concrete Pipe) and C09 (Concrete and Concrete Aggregates). Previously, she held positions as a regional engineer for Rinker Materials; senior structural engineer and marketing manager for CMM Engineering LLC; and senior structural engineer for Middough Associates. She has degree in marketing from Kent State University and civil/structural engineering from Cleveland State University, where she graduated with honors.
CP5 – Troubleshooting Precast Production: Problems and Solutions
Saturday, Feb. 25
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Mel C. Marshall, P. Eng., Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants Inc.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A111
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
There are many components to producing quality precast concrete products. Raw materials, mix design, reinforcing, consolidation and curing all play a part in achieving the final product. In this interactive class, attendees learn from an expert and from each other, including a discussion of best practices and solutions to production issues that precasters deal with every day. Bring questions as we will address your production issues and discuss how to resolve them.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Identify sources of common precast production challenges.
• Troubleshoot quality control issues.
• Take at least three new ideas back to your plant to help improve your production process.

About the Presenter
Mel C. Marshall, P. Eng., owns Mel C. Marshall Industrial Consultants based in Delta, B.C., a company he started in 1980. He has been actively involved in the design, manufacture and construction of concrete products and structures. Marshall has held the positions of general manager for one of the largest concrete pipe operations in Canada and president for a large Canadian wire and mesh manufacturing company, bringing more than 50 years of experience in the precast industry.
CP6 – The Basics of Precast Shop Drawings
Saturday, Feb. 25
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Hugh Martin, P.E., NPCA
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A113
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Taking information from a set of drawings and converting it to a plant shop drawing has a significant influence on quality assurance. We focus on making sure the take-off is done correctly and the information on the shop drawing is accurate. But how easy is it to read? Every assumption a plant employee makes increases the chances of error. Every question the employee must ask the engineering team affects production time. Therefore, the clarity of a plant shop drawing is so important. This course focuses on an overview of CAD-based drawings as well as useful tips and tricks when using this software. Use of other software options will be discussed.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Identify common issues with shop drawings that can lead to confusion and error on the plant floor.
• Know what information is needed from the customer to properly design and detail products to meet project requirements.
• Learn to get the most from your professional engineering consultant.
• Understand the role of drawings in the manufacturing and installation process and be able to identify various types of drawings.
• Identify issues related to the design of product handling and shipping methods.
• Learn what references documents should be in your technical library.
• Learn the value of 3-D printed mock-ups.

About the Presenter
Hugh Martin, P.E., is the director of technical resources with NPCA. He is a licensed professional engineer in 13 states and has been working in the concrete industry since 1993, starting out as a product designer, quality control specialist and field representative. Martin is an active member of ASTM International, where he received the Award of Merit in 2021 for distinguished service and outstanding contributions to authorship and leadership participation in consensus standards activities. He also received the Merlin G. Spangler Meritorious Service Award from Committee C13 on Concrete Pipe in 2012.
LEADERSHIP AND MANAGEMENT
Strong leaders never stop pursuing excellence, and one of the common traits of great leaders is continuous learning. NPCA’s Leadership & Management Track is designed for leaders like you who want to continue to grow. Courses are intended for those who have held senior leadership positions or who aspire to hold these positions in the future and are taught by leadership experts both from within and outside of the precast concrete industry.
LM1 – Managing the Production Process
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Aaron Ausen, Rosetta Hardscapes
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A124-A125
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Managing the production process is difficult. It is a struggle of people and processes that can be chaotic, cumbersome and just plain unbearable. There are many aspects that must be thought of all the time and having a clear vision is more important now than ever. In this course, we dive deep into managing the production process. We build on what we talked about in the previous classes and discuss what works and what does not. We discuss different layouts, changing shifts and working with people. Finally, we dive into leadership and talk about leadership in you, your team and instilling servant leader principles to create a team that cares for each other. This course is intended for anyone in production management or anyone aspiring to take the next step at their company.
At the conclusion of the course, you will be able to:
• Recognize the importance of leadership roles on the floor.
• Implement hiring techniques that work.
• Optimize floor space with efficient form layouts.
• Manage sales and upper management concerns.

About the Presenter
Aaron Ausen is the business consultant and operation specialist with Rosetta Hardscapes. He is an active member of the NPCA Foundation, serving as the immediate past-chairman. He also has served on NPCA’s Education Committee and is a current member of the Outreach Committee.
LM2 – Addressing the Challenges of Attracting, Engaging, and Retaining Staff, Post-COVID
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Nicole Perrotta, Leadership Transformer
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A111
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
A post-COVID evaluation of the workforce has forced us, as employers, to reevaluate how we attract, engage and retain talent. The talent we need for our businesses to thrive have new and different needs, desires and expectations. Are we prepared to address this change in the market?
In this workshop, we discuss and explore strategies to answer the following three post-COVID challenges:
• Attracting talent. The old way of attracting talent is not working as well as it used to. What is our new strategy?
• Engaging talent. Workforce needs are shifting. How do we adjust to meet valuable talent where they are?
• Retaining talent. We have done the hard work to attract and engage top talent. What is our plan to retain that talent and realize a large return on that investment?

About the Presenter
As a conflict transformation and emotional intelligence expert, Nicole Perrotta speaks, coaches and trains leaders who yearn to bring out the best in themselves and their teams. By combining Fortune 500 best practices with emotional intelligence skills and conflict transformation tools, she brings a unique, fun and powerful approach to leading teams with heart and wisdom.
LM3 – Making Sense of Resilience, Sustainability and Equity in Our Industry
Friday, Feb. 24
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Ashley Kizzire, Advanced Organizational Excellence
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A114
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
There is a lot of talk about sustainability, resilience as well as diversity equity and inclusion (DEI) right now. In fact, there is a big increase in these topics and their increasing presence in project and product selection. Most organizations are seeing the topics of sustainability and equity show up from public and private entities alike, and it can be overwhelming to figure out how to get started with your own communication efforts. This presentation showcases how to access your organization’s sustainability and equity footprint and build out the right journey that fits your culture.
LM4 – Setting Expectations
Saturday, Feb. 25
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Sandy Marshall, Gainey's
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A121-A122
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Do you ever wonder why you don’t get the best results from your direct reports? Are they not meeting your expectations? Maybe it’s you. This course discusses the importance of setting expectations with direct reports, coworkers, customers and vendors. We explore how to set clear expectations from Day 1 and how to hold yourself and others accountable.

About the Presenter
Sandy Marshall is the chief financial officer of Gainey’s and has been with the company for 15 years. Prior to that, Marshall worked in accounting for a national construction company for 11 years. Marshall a certified John Maxwell coach, speaker and trainer, and she teaches financial classes at Gainey’s to help other managers become more fiscally responsible.
LM5 – Structuring Your Workforce: A Panel Discussion
Saturday, Feb. 25
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Panelists: Megan Kitchner, Atlantic TNG; Jessica Michie, Michie Corp. ; Brandy Rinkel, Wilbert Precast Inc.
Moderator: Claude Goguen, P.E., NPCA
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A121-A122
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Within an organization, different job levels help to create an internal structure. When an employee seeks a promotion, job levels can define career paths within a workplace and help employees set advancement goals. How is your workforce structured? Are you using the position titles that are appropriate for the assigned responsibilities? During this course, a panel of representatives from different precast manufacturers share their experiences and reveal what has worked best for them.
MARKETING AND SALES
MS1 – Protecting and Building Your Brand in 2023 and Beyond
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Laura Merritt, Advanced Organizational Excellence
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A114
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
The world is moving fast, and information is moving even faster. With social media, sales campaigns and a digital workforce, it is key that your brand is noticed, and protected. This workshop-style session highlights the keys to protecting your brand, building a crisis communications plan, tips related to digital marketing and social media, and more! Hands-on activities throughout the session ensure you leave with a shell plan, ensuring you build your presence and avert disaster!

About the Presenter
With more than 20 years in public relations, Laura Merritt has extensive experience in media and community outreach, social engagement, internal communications, external communications and strategic planning. Merritt specializes in writing and editing for industry publications, blogs and websites as well as creating and managing content for clients on multiple social media platforms.
MS2 – Marketing Fundamentals for Manufacturers: Practical Steps for Success
Friday, Feb. 24
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Tom Rodak, NPCA
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A124-A125
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
In manufacturing organizations, marketing tends to be managed by a single person or a small team with limited resources. This course helps identify and prioritize the areas of marketing that have the largest impact to your business.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Understand markets, customers and value proposition.
• Strengthen brand and brand promise.
• Know which marketing tactics generate the best results.
• Understand how to determine marketing return on investment.

About the Presenter
Tom Rodak is NPCA’s vice president of marketing and communications. Prior to joining NPCA in December 2021, Rodak spent 20-plus years in the transportation, logistics and manufacturing industries, most recently serving as vice president of corporate marketing with Wabash National Corporation. Prior to Wabash, he held senior-level marketing roles at both Panther Premium Logistics and Con-way Freight. His past roles also included developing plasticsnet.com and other eBusiness networks with a technology startup based in Chicago. He holds a degree in journalism with a specialization in advertising and public relations.
MS3 – Communicate and Participate: The Political Process is More Than Just Voting
Saturday, Feb. 25
9:45 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Eric Carleton, P.E., Precast Consultant; Steve Smart, County Materials Corp.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A124-A125
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
In today’s world, relationships are at a premium to differentiate one company and its products from others. A critical element toward success is to get out of a normal comfort zone and go meet the people that influence the market. In many markets, contractors and design engineers are not the primary influencers. It often is government agency administrators and politicians who set the stage for positive precast concrete plans and specifications.
At the conclusion of the course, you will be able to:
• Understand the importance for your company to “see the people” and for them to “see you.”
• Evaluate who are key influencers of precast products in your market.
• Learn some of the means and methods to make the connections and open discussions with agency administrators and legislators.
• Bring your issues or benefits to the forefront and into play.
• Maintain relationships with key influencers.

About the Presenter
Eric Carleton, P.E., is a licensed professional engineer who has worked with Armco Steel Corporation in their Construction Products Division, which later became Contech Construction Products. Prior to joining the NPCA staff in 2014, he worked for 27 years as the technical director and corporate engineer at the Independent Concrete Pipe Company in Indianapolis and St. Louis. Carleton served as past president for the Indiana Section of ASCE and Chairman for the Indiana Water Environment Association Collection Systems Committee, receiving the IWEA Tumble Bug Award and Indiana Collection Systems Professional of the Year. He has received the ASTM Award of Merit and, in 2014, received the Frank J. Heger Award from the American Concrete Pipe Association for technical contributions and a distinguished career in the concrete pipe industry.

Steve Smart is the technical resource engineer for County Materials Corporation based in Indianapolis, responsible for providing technical services for Indiana, Illinois and Missouri. He has been actively involved in the concrete industry for more than 40 years in marketing and production precast pipe, box culverts and 3-sided bridge systems. Smart is a member of the Illinois Concrete Pipe Association, a former NPCA Board member, a founding member of the Derby City Chapter-ASHE and currently is the president of IKO Concrete Pipe Association.
MS4 – PCI Market Research: The Power of Data, Research and Usage
Thursday, Feb. 23
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Brian Miller, P.E., LEED AP, Chryso and GCP
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B230-B231
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This presentation helps participants better understand market trends, value drivers, and perceptions of the various stakeholders involved with the decision to use a particular material or system, such as precast concrete. The presentation will provide an overview of market research findings from PCI and Future Market Insights and discuss how to apply them.

About the Presenter
Brian Miller, P.E., has more than 25 years of experience in the precast concrete and concrete materials industries. He currently serves as the global marketing director of precast concrete for GCP Applied Technologies, where he oversees the global strategy and development for the segment. Prior to joining GCP, Brian was the managing director of business development for PCI, where he directed the institute’s marketing, sales, events and membership services departments, as well as regional affiliates.
QUALITY CONTROL AND PRODUCTION MANAGEMENT
Quality Control courses are appropriate for all levels of personnel. Because commitment to quality is crucial in the precast concrete industry, all precasters are encouraged to attend these courses. Production Management courses are intended for those who have completed concrete production track courses or PQS Level I and those who have baseline industry knowledge and would like advanced training.
QC1 – Reinforcing Details for Strength and Serviceability
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Ronald E. Thornton, P.E., Precast Concrete Association of New York
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A113
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
The proper detailing of reinforcing steel involves more than just bar size and spacing. ACI standards contain several provisions intended to ensure the long-term durability and serviceability of reinforced concrete structures. During this course, we discuss parameters such as rebar development, hooks, splices, temperature and shrinkage steel. We also explore details for additional reinforcing at pipe and access openings, minimizing cracks and construction joints for secondary pours.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Identify factors for determining rebar development including adjustments such as for top bars and epoxy coated steel.
• Review the difference between Class A and Class B lap splices for rebar and deformed wire as well as review requirements for splicing welded wire reinforcement.
• Understand how to properly detail end hooks including bend diameter, hook lengths and hook development.
• Review bending details for stirrups and tie hooks.
• Identify measures for controlling cracks including code requirements for minimum reinforcing.
• Establish best practice for construction joints and additional reinforcing around openings.

About the Presenter
Ronald E. Thornton, P.E., is a registered professional engineer with more than 30 years of experience in the concrete industry. He is considered a leading authority in the design, manufacturing and installation of precast concrete products for use in state, municipal and private projects, including utility vaults, manholes, box culverts, prestressed bridge beams, retaining walls, sound walls, septic tanks and other products.
QC2 – Embodied Carbon Disclosures: Be Ready When Asked to Provide
Friday, Feb. 24
10:00 a.m. – Noon
Presenter: Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP, NPCA
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A113
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
You may know everything about your concrete, but do you know its embodied carbon? This is information you may have to provide to bid on infrastructure projects. With Buy Clean legislation and policies spreading throughout the United States, the requests for embodied carbon disclosures are rapidly rising. Many states and the U.S. federal government have requirements in place with other states soon to follow. During this course, we first define embodied carbon and its importance to authorities. We discuss what options are available for companies to develop their own EPDs. We also discuss what other marketing and sustainable benefits can result from having this data. We then talk about how to lower that environmental impact. This is essential information for those who supply to transportation, water and wastewater infrastructure projects.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Define embodied carbon and other synonymous terms.
• Explain the different types of environmental product declarations.
• Describe available options to obtain product specific Type III EPDs.
• Identify ways to lower embodied carbon for precast products.

About the Presenter
Claude Goguen, P.E., LEED AP, is NPCA’s director of outreach and technical education. He has nearly 25 years of experience in the precast concrete and construction industry. He holds a degree in civil engineering and is a licensed professional engineer. Prior to his role with NPCA, Goguen was an operations manager at a precast concrete manufacturing plant. He also worked as a field superintendent, project manager and project engineer on numerous large residential and commercial projects.
QC3 – Making Precast Beautiful: Best Practices and Applications for Architectural Precast
Saturday, Feb. 25
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Brian Miller, P.E., MBA, LEED AP, Chryso and GCP
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A124-A125
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Architectural precast has grown by an average of 10% each year for the past decade. This versatile building system has become the fastest growing precast product in North America and offers tremendous value for stakeholders. This course discusses what architectural precast is, its value proposition for the various stakeholders, best practices, the latest innovations and more. Also, since beauty and quality often are associated, many of the best practices discussed are applicable to most precast products, including underground and utility products. Best practices include form preparation, mix design, placement, consolidation techniques and more.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Explain what architectural precast is and its value proposition.
• Describe how to implement best practices to produce high quality and consistent products.
• Describe how to apply techniques to improve finishes of other products such as underground.

About the Presenter
Brian Miller, P.E., has more than 25 years of experience in the precast concrete and concrete materials industries. He currently serves as the global marketing director of precast concrete for GCP Applied Technologies, where he oversees the global strategy and development for the segment. Prior to joining GCP, Brian was the managing director of business development for PCI, where he directed the institute’s marketing, sales, events and membership services departments, as well as regional affiliates.
QC4 – Longer Lasting Precast with Coatings and Sealers
Saturday, Feb. 25
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Kayla Hanson, P.E., Concrete Sealants Inc.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A112
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the world. This is in large part due to its strength, durability, versatility and decades-long service life. To enhance concrete’s performance even further, some structures are treated with coatings and/or sealers. This course is an introductory crash course in coatings and sealers for precast concrete structures. We assess similarities and differences between coatings and sealers, differentiate between damp-proofing and waterproofing and discuss more intricate details about coatings and sealers that can help provide a broader understanding of all the options that are available in the industry. We then look at scenarios where concrete can benefit from the use of coatings and sealers and discuss which types are appropriate in those applications. Finally, we discuss best practices for concrete substrate preparation prior to coating and sealer application.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Explain the similarities and differences between coatings and sealers.
• Differentiate between damp-proofing and waterproofing and identify when each solution is needed.
• Describe the different situations where coatings and sealers can help improve precast concrete’s performance and durability, including which types of coatings and sealers are appropriate for those scenarios.
• List best practices for precast surface preparation and coating and sealer application.

About the Presenter
Kayla Hanson, P.E., joined Concrete Sealants in March 2022 as a technical resource engineer. She provides technical consultation and product implementation assistance to customers, engineers and end-users of all ConSeal products. Prior to that, she worked for NPCA for more than eight serving as the director of technical services. She holds a degree in civil engineering from Purdue University and is a licensed professional engineer. She has served in various roles with ACI and ASTM, including the secretary and vice chair of ASTM Committee C27 on Precast Concrete Products, and currently serves as the subcommittee chair of ASTM C27.30 on Water and Wastewater Containers and is a member of ACI Committee 515 on Protective Systems for Concrete.
QC5 – Evolution of Precast Concrete: A Report from Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Saturday, Feb. 25
10:00 a.m. – 11:00 a.m.
Presenter: Diana E. Hun, Ph.D., Oak Ridge National Laboratory; Denise Silva, Ph.D., Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, A112
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Since its inception in 1943, Oak Ridge National Laboratory has delivered vital breakthroughs in energy, environmental and national security technologies. With breakthroughs in supercomputing, neutron science and isotopes, ORNL scientists are now studying precast concrete. During this course, scientists from ORNL discuss their studies on low-carbon concrete and how it may help precast manufacturers to deliver products meeting environmental performance metrics being implemented across North America. They talk about their work with 3-D printing of concrete and other materials. They also discuss new uses for precast such as panels containing dynamic chargers for electric vehicles.
At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to:
• Explain why Oak Ridge National Laboratory is studying concrete and specifically precast concrete.
• Describe what ORNL has learned about lowering environmental impacts of precast concrete structures.
• Discuss the work ORNL has been doing in the field of 3-D printing and how that could impact precast concrete.

About the Presenter
Diana E. Hun, Ph.D., is the Group Leader of the Building Envelope Materials Research Group at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, which develops, integrates and evaluates new building envelope materials and assemblies that reduce energy use, lower the embodied energy of buildings, enhance occupant comfort and are moisture durable. Her research includes using the latest advances in material science, sensors and controls and manufacturing techniques to develop technologies such as novel insulation materials, self-healing materials, active envelope systems, non-destructive diagnostic tools and low-carbon building materials. Hun received a Ph.D. in civil engineering from The University of Texas with a grant from the National Science Foundation.

Prior to joining Oak Ridge National Laboratory as a senior research and development staff member, Denise Silva, Ph.D., worked for 15 years for W.R. Grace/GCP Applied Technologies and Custom Building Products/The Quikrete Companies in several positions, including principal scientist in the research and development of solutions to improve the performance and to reduce the carbon footprint of cement-based materials via utilization of chemical admixtures. Silva received her Ph.D. in materials science and engineering from Universidade Federal de Santa Catarina in Brazil. In her postdoctoral appointment at the Civil and Environmental Engineering department of the University of California at Berkeley followed, she utilized the synchrotron light-sourced soft x-ray microscope at the Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory to visualize particles of cement while hydrating in the presence of chemical admixtures.
OPERATIONS AND PLANT/INDUSTRY TECHNOLOGIES
Operations sessions offer insights to ensure employee engagement throughout your company from the weld shop to the accounting room. Emerging technologies will discuss the newest innovations that are being utilized by the precast industry.
OPER3 – What is it Like to Have Your Deposition Taken?
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Tony Lehman, Hudson, Lambert, Parrott, Walker, LLC; Brian Roberts, NAPCO Precast LLC
Location: TBD
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
In the construction industry, there are two types of management personnel: those who have had their depositions taken, and those who will have their depositions taken. That statement is not meant to be flippant—disputes with general contractors, owners, and subcontractors are common in our industry. But what is it really like to be on the “hot seat” of the deposition? In this session, construction lawyer Tony Lehman with Hudson Lambert Parrott Walker walk you through the process behind preparing for and then testifying at a formal deposition. Playing the role of the deponent and providing his own insights from his years in the construction industry is Brian Roberts of NAPCO Precast.

About the Presenter
Tony Lehman is a partner with Hudson Lambert Parrott Walker in Atlanta and has been a construction lawyer for more than 23 years. He started his career with Smith Currie & Hancock before spending 12 years with two international law firms. Lehman serves on the Governing Committee of the American Bar Association’s Forum on Construction Law and is a past member of the Florida Prestressed Concrete Association Board of Directors. He is board certified in construction law in Florida.

Brian Roberts, CCIFP, is CFO of NAPCO Precast in San Antonio. He has more than 30 years of experience in financial auditing and controls in the construction industry, including time spent with developers, the federal government, general contractors and now as CFO of NAPCO Precast, which provides prefabricated building systems for everything from parking structures to sports stadiums.
OPER4 – They Said WHAT?!: Handling Employee Allegations of Harassment and Discrimination
Thursday, Feb. 23
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Presenter: Clair Williamson, Hudson, Lambert, Parrott, Walker, LLC; Gary R. Semmer, AssuredPartners
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B234/235
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session covers how to avoid common mistakes in employee reporting policies; steps to investigate allegations without creating additional liability; and best practices for communicating an investigation’s findings, including employee discipline and termination.

About the Presenter
Claire Williamson is a partner at the Atlanta office of Hudson Lambert Parrott Walker. Her practice centers on construction and employment litigation, including disputes related to nuclear power plants, mixed-use developments, municipal buildings, hotels and water treatment facilities. Williamson also advises clients on day-to-day employment issues, including employee leave, accommodations for disabilities, termination, wages, discrimination and harassment.
Gary Semmer, CIC, CWCA, is the executive vice president and construction vertical practice leader with Assured Partners, an insurance and risk management firm based in Warrenville, Ill. He started his career with the St. Paul Insurance Company (now Travelers) in Chicago as a commercial insurance underwriter. Semmer has a degree in business with a concentration in marketing and finance from the University of Minnesota Carlson School of Business. He served on the Associated Risk Managers International Board of Directors and is past president of the Associated Risk Managers of Illinois.
OPER5 – Killer Contracts: Don't Sell Your Soul to the Sea Witch
Thursday, Feb. 23
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Presenter: Bethany Beck, Sanderford & Carroll, P.C.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B234/235
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session provides an overview of the most problematic terms currently trending in subcontract agreements. Speakers offer suggestions about how to best modify and negotiate changes.

About the Presenter
Bethany Beck is a partner at Sanderford & Carroll and is board certified in construction law. For more than a decade, Beck has tried cases in state and federal courts, as well as in arbitration proceedings. She regularly presents at conferences for other construction lawyers and also makes time to teach those in the industry through trade organizations.
OPER6 – Innovations in Precast Concrete, Session I
Thursday, Feb. 23
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B232/233
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Join PCI and NPCA in advancing the industry as we present unique solutions that move us beyond “the way things have always been done.” The session highlights current best practices and emerging technologies being developed for and with the precast concrete industry.
OPER7 – Innovations in Precast Concrete, Session II
Friday, Feb. 24
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B232/233
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
Join PCI and NPCA in advancing the industry as we present unique solutions that move us beyond “the way things have always been done.” The session highlights current best practices and emerging technologies being developed for and with the precast concrete industry.
TECHNOLOGY
From research and development to code development, technical sessions will keep you abreast of the latest technical information within our industry. New standards and updates on current research form the foundation for our body of knowledge.
TECH1 – Materials for Sustainable Precast and Prestressed Concrete
Thursday, Feb. 23
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Presenters: Brett Harris, Chryso and GCP; Jon Mohle, Clark-Pacific; Emily Lorenz, consultant
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B230/231
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session discusses how changes in regulations, specifications, and material availability related to climate change are affecting material selection and concrete mixture design and documentation in the precast concrete industry. This session includes presentations on industry-wide material topics and a panel discussion on industry questions about material transitions currently underway.
TECH2 – Utilizing FRP Composites to Enhance Precast and Prestressed Concrete Structures
Friday, Feb. 24
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B232/233
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session reviews advancements in the use of fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) in precast and prestressed concrete components and structures. Presentations include the use of FRP in restoring and supplementing the capacity of existing, deteriorated precast and prestressed concrete. Presenters review applications that have been used in the field and demonstrated in the laboratory.
Presentations will include the following:
• “Fatigue Performance of FRP Strengthened Pretensioned Girders with Straight and Harped Strands” -- Presenter: Hayder A. Rasheed, Robert J. Peterman and Kyle H. Larson, Kansas State University; Calvin E. Reed, Kansas Department of Transportation
• “Design and Construction Progress of the FRP Reinforced/Prestressed Concrete Harkers Island Bridge Replacement Project” -- Presenter: Rudi Seracino, North Carolina State University
• “Understanding the Behavior of Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) Strips with and without FRP Anchors” -- Presenter: Aniket D Borwankar, Simpson Strong Tie
TECH3 – Utilizing UHPC in Precast Concrete Bridge Elements
Friday, Feb. 24
3:00 p.m. – 4:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B230/231
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session will discuss applications of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) in the construction of precast concrete bridge components, including optimization of section shapes to fully achieve the benefits of UHPC.
Presentations will include the following:
• “Construction Experience and Structural Behavior Assessment of Full Precast UHPC Columns” -- Presenter: Mohamed A. Moustafa, University of Nevada, Reno
• “UHPC Waffle Deck Panels – The Next Generation of Sustainable Infrastructure” -- Presenter: Anthony Ragosta, ceEntek North America
• “UHPC Crack Localization Strain: How is it Determined, and How Does it Impact Structural Design?” -- Presenter: George Morcous, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
TECH4 – Advancing Prestressed Piles with UHPC
Friday, Feb. 24
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B232/233
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session summarizes research and development into the use of ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) for precast and prestressed concrete piles. UHPC has the potential to alter the design and selection of piles for structures, with UHPC piles providing a technical and cost-competitive alternative to steel piles. Research on design and construction using UHPC piles is underway, and a guide for design is in development.
TECH5 – Sustainability and Resiliency for Infrastructure
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B230/231
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session provides an overview of sustainability and resiliency for infrastructure and provide guidance and recommendations for incorporating these topics into transportation design and construction. Attendees gain a better understanding of environmental product declarations, life-cycle assessments, and embodied carbon considerations.
TECH6 – Advances in Materials for Precast Concrete Construction (Peer-Reviewed)
Thursday, Feb. 23
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B230/231
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session presents peer-reviewed papers on advances in materials for the design and construction of precast and prestressed concrete components and structures. Presentations include the following:
• “Application of Hybrid Prestressing in Concrete Rail Crossties Using Shape Memory Alloys” -- Presenter: Minsoo Sung, Ernesto Alfredo Perez Claros, and Bassem Andrawes; University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign
• “Viability of Applying Iron-based Shape Memory Alloys for Prestressed Continuity in Hollow Core Structural Floors” -- Presenter Sandra del Ro Bonnin, Luis A. Montoya-Coronado, Joaquin G. Ruiz-Pinilla, Antoni Cladera, and Carlos Ribas; University of Balearic Islands
• “Implementation of Fly Ash-Based Alkali-Activated Concrete in Precast Prestressed Specimens” -- Presenter: Grant Magnuson, Simpson Gumpertz & Heger, and Ben Dymond, Northern Arizona University
TECH7 – Improving Precast Concrete Design and Construction
Thursday, Feb. 23
2:00 p.m. – 3:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B240/242
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session will address current design and construction practices and what changes could be made to improve precast concrete performance. Presentations will include the following:
• “A Rational Approach to Handling of Normal Forces in Interface Shear Design” -- Presenter: Lesley Sneed, University of Illinois at Chicago
• “Use of Continuously Wound Ties for Transverse Reinforcement” -- Presenter: Bahram Shahrooz, University of Cincinnati
• “Life Cycle Assessment of Precast Parking Structures to Enhance Durability and Structural Performance” -- Presenter: Halil Sezen and Abdulmoez Al Ismaeel, The Ohio State University
TECH8 – Precast and Prestressed Concrete Bridge Structures (Peer-Reviewed)
Friday, Feb. 24
1:00 p.m. – 2:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B2320/231
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session presents peer-reviewed papers on the use of precast and prestressed concrete components in the design and construction of bridge structures. Presentations include the following:
• “ABC of Unbraced Network Tied Arch Using SPMTs” -- Presenters: Michael LaViolette and Matt Longfield, HDR; John Belcher and Dave Harris, Michigan DOT
• “Replacement of the Collapsed Fern Hollow Bridge” -- Presenters: Jason A. Fuller and Kevin O'Connor, HDR
• “Design and Construction of the I-579 Urban Open Space Cap" -- Presenter: Kyle Smith, HDR
TECH9 – Design of Precast Concrete Insulated Wall Panels (Peer-Reviewed)
Thursday, Feb. 23
4:00 p.m. – 5:30 p.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B240/242
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session presents peer-reviewed papers on research into the design and construction of precast concrete insulated wall panels. Presentations include the following:
• “Inter-Wythe Slip Design Criteria for Non-Composite Insulated Walls” -- Presenters: Abdelrahman Awawdeh, Salam Al-Rubaye, Fray Pozo-Lora, and Marc Maguire; University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• “Design of Wythe Connectors for Out-Of-Plane Loading of Insulated Walls" -- Presenters: Ammar Al-Maabreh, Fray Pozo-Lora, and Marc Maguire, University of Nebraska-Lincoln
• Update on the PCI State of the Art Report on Precast Insulated Wall Panels.
TECH10 – Investigation of Precast Concrete Bridge Component Performance (Peer-Reviewed)
Friday, Feb. 24
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Location: Greater Columbus Convention Center, B230/231
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session presents peer-reviewed papers on the investigation and testing of precast and prestressed concrete components for bridge structures. Presentations include the following:
• “Flexural Testing of Precast Reinforced Concrete Bridge Slabs and Evaluation of Deterioration" -- Presenters: Alyssa Leaman, Brandon E. Ross , Thomas Cousins, Prasad Rangaraju, Ian Stewart and Coleman Eubanks, Clemson University; Paul Ziehl, University of South Carolina
• “Ultimate and Residual Strength of Carbon-Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Retrofitted Precast Concrete Bridge Slabs” -- Presenters: Ian Stewart, Brandon Ross, and Thomas Cousins; Clemson University
• “Investigation of 0.6-in.-Diameter Strand Lifting Loops” -- Presenters: Sandip Chhetri and Rachel Chicchi, University of Cincinnati
TECH11 – Enhancing Precast Concrete’s Value by Sharing BIM Files with Your Customer
Friday, Feb. 24
8:00 a.m. – 9:30 a.m.
Presenter: Tom Beam, High Concrete Group, LLC; Jeremy Castello, P.E., Eriksson Technologies
Location: TBD
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session includes collaboration strategies for the project design team to enhance precast concrete value for owners. The speakers showcase two case studies where early alliance among the design and construction teams and the major subcontractors yielded a superior result.

About the Presenters
Jeremy Castello, P.E., is a professional engineer and the engineering manager at Eriksson Technologies, where he has worked for six years. He is responsible for overseeing engineering, management and production on projects as well as advancing technologies within the company through the use of building information modeling and direct collaboration with Eriksson Software. Castello also serves as a voting member of PCI’s BIM Committee.
Tom Beam is the BIM manager at High Concrete Group in Denver, Pa., working there for the past 15 years. He is responsible for advancing the use of building information modeling throughout the organization. Beam also serves chair of PCI’s BIM Committee.
TECH12 – BIM is Much More than Clash Detection and Generating Piece Ticket Drawings
Friday, Feb. 24
10:00 a.m. – 11:30 a.m.
Presenter: Wayne Kassian, M.Sc., F.CPCI, P.Eng, Kassian Dyck & Associates; Kevin Friesen, Kassian Dyck & Associates
Location: TBD
Member Package: No charge | Member a la Carte: $150
Non-member Package: No charge | Non-member a la Carte: $225
This session describes how current building information modeling (BIM) technology can be used to improve workflows and efficiencies in plant operations, fabrication automation, and project and fabrication scheduling. Topics include linking BIM with enterprise resource planning systems and using BIM for erection planning and site installation.

About the Presenter
Wayne Kassian, M.Sc., F.CPCI, P.Eng., is president at Kassian Dyck & Associates. He has more than 36 years of structural experience in the design of various precast concrete structures across North America. From 2001-05, Kassian participated in the Precast Concrete Software Consortium, which delivered an integrated, 3-D parametric precast concrete modeling platform, precast concrete data models and advanced information technologies. Kassian is a member of PCI’s Technical Activities Council and is chair of the Canadian Precast Prestressed Concrete Institute’s Technical Committee.
