Infrastructure, Workforce Share Challenge - Lack of Attention

Exploding steam pipes. Crumbling bridges. Overcrowded roadways.

The signs that infrastructure is straining to meet the demands of the U.S. population are becoming apparent. U.S. government estimates put the total of modernizing the nation’s water systems, dams, runways, roads and bridges through new construction or repair at nearly $1.6 trillion over five years.

Maintaining the infrastructure is an economic and construction challenge. There are not enough workers entering the field to support current and future needs of the construction industry.

The Milwaukee-based Association of Equipment Manufacturers has announced a new program the Construction Challenge that uses a fun approach to introduce teenagers to construction and position the industry as a preferred career choice. The challenge activities will emphasize the importance of infrastructure renewal to our daily lives.

AEM initiated the Construction Challenge competition specifically to engage the interest of teens through a hands-on, educational experience. According to Nicole Hallada, AEM Marketing Director, the Construction Challenge will help teenagers learn more about construction careers and construction equipment as well as the importance of construction’s contributions to a quality infrastructure.

AEM is inviting interested construction-related companies and organizations to apply. Contact AEM’s Stacy Wessel at 414-298-4114 or at swessel@aem.org.

Agreement to Tackle Load Resistance Factor Design

The Arlington, Va.-based American Society of Civil Engineers and the American Composites Manufacturers Association, also in Arlington, have signed a three-year agreement to develop a pre-standard for load and resistance factor design for pultruded fiber reinforced polymer composite structures.

The LRFD standard is a design tool that will help structural engineers and architects use FRP composites in the design of building and transportation structures, bringing the benefits of composites strength to weight ratio, resistance to corrosion, low maintenance and long life cycle to the forefront of the nation’s infrastructure.

“The LRFD standard will give composites credibility and presence, ultimately increasing market acceptance,” said John Tickle, ACMA president.

The preparation of a consensus pre-standard requires expert knowledge and participation of members of the professional community. ASCE has selected Mehdi Zarghamee of Waltham, Mass.-based Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. to serve as the coordinator for the project.

Zarghamee will provide leadership to ensure proper coordination and information sharing between the project team members. He will also coordinate the technical progress and authoring of the standard among the project team members according to the scope of work and schedule. At the project's completion, the pre-standard will be promulgated through the official ASCE Codes and Standards process. The expected release date of the pre-standard is September 2010.

“ASCE has a longstanding and proven history in producing professional standards such as this, standards that advance the practice of civil engineering and allow us to better serve the public’s needs,” said Bill Marcuson.

Biodiesel Project Nearing Completion

Biodiesel fuel is reportedly the fastest growing alternative fuel in the world and will soon be produced at the site of a former naval shipyard in Seneca, Ill., near Joliet, with a $68 million project. The project started in May.

Houston based Nova Biosource Fuels Inc., an energy provider, will produce approximately 60-million gallons of renewable fuels a year. Nova is serving as its own contractor.

The largest market for biodiesel is vehicle fleets of federal, state and local government agencies, as well as fleets operating in urban or environmentally sensitive areas. The plant’s end-product is expected to come from locally generated, low-cost feedstocks, including rendered animal fats and oils and recycled vegetable and animal-based greases. Fuel production is anticipated to begin in early 2008.