| Strong Demand Tightens
Cement Supplies Strong demand for cement in 2005 is resulting in tight supplies
in some areas of the country, according to a report released by the Skokie-based
Portland Cement Association.
Because mortgage rates have remained near
historic lows, home building continues to be very strong, according to PCA chief
economist Ed Sullivan. In addition, nonresidential and public construction is
also expected to increase as the economy improves.
According to PCA's May
2005 survey of cement suppliers, 23 states report tight supplies of cement. Among
these, ten states report tight supplies in only portions of the state typically
focused around large metropolitan areas.
Cement consumption in the United
States grew to 119.9 million metric tons in 2004, an increase of 6.8 percent over
2003 and a record year for cement consumption.
Through the first quarter
of 2005, U.S. cement consumption has increased 7.0 percent over strong 2004 levels.
To
meet demand, additional cement is also being imported. Imports' share of total
U.S. consumption rose from 20.6 percent in 2003 to 22.7 percent in 2004. PCA expects
that imports' share will exceed 25 percent during 2005 through 2007.
Cement
suppliers successfully increased import tonnage by 17 percent to 27.5 million
metric tons during 2004 and is on a pace to import 32 million tons this year.
Two Wisconsin Projects Get Slag Cement Honors Two of three projects recently
receiving national recognition for slag cement were in Wisconsin.
We Energies' Manufactured Gas Plant in Appleton was named the best use of slag
cement for sustainable development.
The plant operated from the late 1800s
to the early 1950s, and the plant equipment was removed. The land was contaminated
and in some cases, contaminants were coming into contact with groundwater.
An
in-situ soil stabilization/solidification process was developed that immobilized
contaminants, mitigating the risk of exposure and potential harm to health and
the environment. The team chose slag cement for the solidification mix.
Kilbourn Tower in Milwaukee was named the most innovative use of slag cement in
concrete.
Kilbourn Tower is a luxury condominium, and ternary concrete
mixes with slag cement and fly ash were used.
The 34-story building used
a variety of mix designs, typically with replacement rates of 20 percent for slag
cement and 10 percent for fly ash.
The awards come from the Sugar Land,
Texas-based Slag Cement Association and recognize innovation in the use of the
material.
CD Examines Hot, Cold Concrete Forming The Skokie-based Portland Cement
Association has introduced "Hot and Cold Weather Concreting," a training
program on compact disk.
It provides an introduction to the effects of
hot or cold temperature on the properties of concrete.
The program also
covers the following:
General requirements and special materials needed
for hot and cold weather conditions
Guidelines for concrete production
and delivery through temperature calculations and time considerations
Precautions for placement and curing in order to protect the concrete properties
as well as the applicable control tests to help predict setting and strength gain
The
cost is $35. For more information visit the PCA Bookstore at www.cement.org/bookstore
on the Internet or call 800-868-6733 or 847-972-9040.
Young
Constructors Hail from Wisconsin Two Wisconsinites have been appointed to the
America Young Constructors Forum Steering Committee.
They comprise Chad
Bathke, partner and senior project manager with Waukesha-based Voss Jorgensen
Schueler, and Nate Keller, project manager with Milwaukee-based The Bentley Co.
The
national committee meets to discuss the direction and impact the YCF can have
on the association.
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