Two Groups Aim to Promote Awareness of Infrastructure

The Reston, Va.-based American Society of Civil Engineers and the Falls Church, Va.-based International Association of Emergency Managers have signed a memorandum of cooperation to promote awareness of the state of our nation’s critical infrastructure and encourage the involvement of the engineering community in supporting emergency managers.

“It is imperative to design, develop and construct critical infrastructure that is resilient from all hazards and achieving that goal will be an integral part of this partnership,” said ASCE President David Mongan.

In cooperation with IAEM, ASCE aims to enhance disaster management efforts at the local, state, federal and international levels, as well as to ensure the continued participation of all agencies and departments involved in emergency management. In addition, both organizations recognize the need for additional funding and increased emphasis on coordination of all aspects of emergency management worldwide.

“Our similar goals make this partnership a natural fit in our efforts to continually improve public safety,” said IAEM Executive Director Elizabeth Armstrong.

Publications Updated On Post-Tensioning

The Phoenix-based Post-Tensioning Institute has announced the availability of two updated publications for companies involved in post-tensioning construction.

They comprise the 2nd Edition of Specification for Seven-Wire Prestressing Steel Strand for Barrier Cable Applications and the 5th Edition of Recommendations for Stay Cable Design, Testing and Installation.

This 2nd Edition guide on specification offers detailed recommendations for the installation and tensioning of seven-wire prestressing steel strand for barrier cable systems. While systems using other types of steel strands are not covered in the specification, information is provided for strands with varied coatings and anchorage systems.

Primarily developed for parking structure applications, the guide can be applied to other applications using similar techniques. The document is formatted like a reference specification and is therefore intended for use as either a reference or incorporation in building project specifications where barrier cable systems are employed.

Licensed design professionals can cite the PTI guide specification together with any supplementary requirements for the project, making adjustments to conform to building codes and other project needs when necessary.

Several additions have been made to the 5th edition publication on stay-cable design, a guide in the construction of cable stay bridges.

Modifications include fatigue testing provisions, which now contain misalignment at the anchorage within the basic testing, and design provisions, where bending is now an explicit part of stay design. Along with new capacity reduction factors, provisions and recommendations that address high seismic demand situations, minimum design requirements for stay anchor pipes, and the limited conditions of extradosed bridges have also been added.

Content has been reorganized to reflect modern practices, including updates on material supply requirements, wind provisions, cable vibrations and loss conditions, and cable installation and maintenance. Following the load and resistance factor design format of the previous edition, the publication is designed for use with the AASHTO LRFD Bridge Design Code.

Both publication updates can be ordered online at www.post-tensioning.org. The 2nd Edition Specification is available for $21.50 or $15.50 for PTI members, and the 5th Edition Recommendations for $65 or $45.50 for PTI members.