Around the World to Philadelphia

10/23/2016

Attendees gather for the International Forum

“If you want to make a difference—get involved,” stated Mr. Michael van Koeverden, President of the Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA), at the International Forum, that took place at The Concrete Convention and Exposition in Philadelphia, PA, USA. It was a theme shared by speakers and attendees alike.

Speakers from ACI chapters and concrete associations in Europe, Australia, Canada, and Central America gathered at the ACI Convention in Philadelphia to meet and learn with other concrete industry professionals from around the world at the International Forum. ACI Vice President Khaled Awad welcomed attendees to the ACI Convention and Philadelphia.

ACI Vice President Khaled Awad welcomes attendees

Attendees gather at the forum to meet ACI international partners, ACI chapter representatives, and ACI leadership about worldwide events, activities, initiatives, and common themes of interest to the concrete materials, design, and construction industry.

Presentations:

• fib (Fédération internationale du béton/International Federation for Structural Concrete) Update - Dr. Harald S. Müller, President, fib
• How to introduce ACI certification and concrete research to undergraduate students; the Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León (UANL) experience - Prof. Alejandro Duran-Herrera, ACI Northeast Mexico Chapter/UANL Facultad de Ingeniería Civil
• Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA) Update - Mr. Michael van Koeverden, President, Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA)
• ACI 318-14 Simplified Chinese Translation by Taiwan Chapter, CICHE, and TCI in Taiwan - Prof. Shih- Jian Hwang, ACI Taiwan Chapter
• Instituto Nicaragüense del Cemento y del Concreto (INCYC) Update - Mr. Andres Lee, Executive Director, INCYC, Nicaragua
• ACI Paris Chapter Update - Dr. François Toutlemonde, President, ACI Paris Chapter
• RILEM Update - Dr. Geert De Schutter, senior full professor at Ghent University, Belgium
• ASOCRETO Update - Mr. Omar Javier Silva, ASOCRETO (Colombian Ready Mixed Concrete Producers
  Association)
• ACI Italy Chapter Update - Prof. Paolo Riva, Vice President, ACI Italy Chapter

The popular forum provides a great opportunity to share information on their organization’s activities and plans, and provides networking opportunities among ACI Members, Chapter Representatives, ACI Leaders, and ACI International Partners. Attendees have an opportunity to learn about other international organizations – their activities, upcoming publications and events, and how ACI is working with its International Partners to collaboratively develop and disseminate technical information on concrete and concrete structures.

Prof. Shih- Jian Hwang, ACI Taiwan Chapter (center)

Presentation Highlights:

• fib (Fédération internationale du béton/International Federation for Structural Concrete) shared information on the evolution and impact of model codes; upcoming symposia and congresses; and the International Partnership with ACI that was signed in 2015.
• Prof. Alejandro Duran-Herrera, ACI Northeast Mexico Chapter, focused on introducing ACI Certification. The Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León concentrate on promoting concrete knowledge through technical conferences and a chapter library. They continue to encourage students’ interest in concrete research, and the importance of student chapters.
• Mr. Michael van Koeverden, President, Concrete Institute of Australia (CIA) told attendees about nurturing closer technical ties with ACI. Durability of concrete in Australia was noted as a very important subject that the CIA focuses on in particular due to the country’s climate.
• Prof. Shih- Jian Hwang, ACI Taiwan Chapter informed attendees that the translation of ACI 318-14 Building Code for Structural Concrete into simplifed Chinese is now complete, and presented printed copies at the session.
• Mr. Andres Lee, Executive Director, INCYC, Nicaragua, spoke about the opportunities that exist to increase concrete knowledge in this country. INCYC focuses on diffusion, training, and technical assistance, and have developed a pland for concrete technicians and engineers. Mr. Lee noted that INCYC partners with ACI Certification.
• Mr. François Toutlemonde, President, ACI Paris Chapter, discusses recent technical events that the chapter has been involved in, and noted that the ambition for the future was to stimulate education and excellence; Facilitate dissemination of original French documents; and reactive and open to international scientific advance.
• Dr. Geert De Schutter, senior full professor at Ghent University, Belgium, spoke about RILEM’s international cooperation and stimulating new directions of research.
• Mr. Omar Javier Silva, ASOCRETO, discusses promoting new technologies, and Reunion del Concreto 2016. Mr Silva noted that the 1st Latin American ACI Chapters Meeting also took place at this event.
• Prof. Paolo Riva, Vice President, ACI Italy Chapter, focused on their chapter’s promotion of a PhD Student Award that is intended to connect the concrete industry and educational institutions.

The Forum was followed by a lunch presentation by Andreas Tselebidis titled, "Engineering the Impossible-Sustainable Concrete Solutions for Day to Day Applications to Supertall and Slender Skyscrapers.” The emphasis of the presentation was on ecologically efficient, sustainable, and durable concrete for day-to-day application as well as concrete designed for superstructures.