On April 22nd & 23rd, more than 200 concrete professionals gathered together in Davis, California for two days of presentations, panels, and boots-in-the-concrete demonstrations at the Second Annual California Concrete Pavement Conference (CCPC), hosted by the Southwest Concrete Pavement Association (SWCPA). The conference took place at the UC Davis Activities & Recreation Center Ballroom on Wednesday, April 22nd, then the UC Pavement Research Center held an Open House on Thursday, April 23rd at their facilities on the western edge of the UCD campus.
John Harvey, Ph.D., P.E., Professor of Civil and Environmental Engineering at U.C. Davis, kicked off the conference with an update on the work going on at the U.C. Pavement Research Center.
The wide spectrum of every discipline involved in the Concrete Pavement Industry was well-represented at the conference – Agencies, Contractors, Engineering Firms, Equipment Manufacturers, Cement Companies, Testing Companies, and a host of innovative new product firms. The day was filled with stimulating presentations, engaged dialogue between the presenters and the audience, and a great deal of new, innovative products and services offered by the exhibitors at the conference.
Tigi Thomas, Caltrans Deputy Division Chief and State Pavement Engineer, talked about the current state of the Caltrans Pavement Program.
Brandon Hays, Director of Construction for the Contra Costa Transportation Authority, illuminated the County’s mission and vision as it relates to “Using Rehabilitation Projects to Deliver the Greatest Pavement Network Value.”
Eric Ferrebee, Senior Director, Technical Services, at the American Concrete Pavement Association, picked up on the topic and colorfully illustrated A Little History on the Evolution of Paving, how planners have an unrealistic perspective on the lifespan of pavements, and how that really needs to change.
Panels featuring industry subject matter experts then covered advances in new concrete mixes with four presentations focused on “New Concrete Mixes Deliver CO2
Reduction, Faster Openings, Greater Strength & More.” A second set of panel presentations and discussions in the afternoon keyed in on “Quality Control Beyond the Mix – Ensuring Top Quality throughout All of the Steps in Paving Operations.”
Tom Van Dam, Principal, Wiss, Janey, Elstner Associates, highlighted advances in blended cements, then moderated the morning panel, “In The Mix: Developing Success with the New Generation of Concrete Mix Designs,” which also featured Jon Dearing, VP, Strategy & Public Affairs, National Cement; Alana Guzzetta, National Research Lab Manager, Vulcan Materials; and Matt Fonte, Principal, Fonte & Co.
Dr. Peter Taylor of the CP Tech Center brings up a point with the panel.
Jon Dearing, Vice President, National Cement, brought the manufacturer’s perspective to the conference and spoke on the industry’s expanding efforts on working to become carbon neutral.
Alana Guzzetta, National Research Lab Manager for Vulcan Materials Company, fields a question from the audience during the morning panel discussion.
Matt Fonte, Principal, Fonte & Co., brought his unique, pragmatic perspective, honed by 22 years of working in the heavy civil industry, to deliver his presentation on new mix designs, and in the afternoon panel, quality control out on the job site.
Joe Harline from Caltrans METS tosses a question to the panel.
Clay Slocum, Director of Engineering at the California Nevada Cement Association, took the stage to spotlight potential new concrete pavement work coming up in the State, thanks to research in the State Highway Operation and Protection Program (SHOPP), contact with engineering firms, and monitoring California Transportation Commission funding approvals.
Somayeh Nassiri, Ph.D., Associate Professor at the University of California Pavement Research Center, lets the audience know what’s on tap the next day at the UCPRC Open House.
Charles Stuart, SWCPA Executive Director, next illuminated the great educational resources at everyone’s reach to help advance in the industry. He highlighted the workshops, courses, and training that are available and easily accessible through SWCPA, the CP Tech Center, GOMACO University, the new ACI Certification Center in Sacramento, and Caltrans.
Stuart then announced the Greg Bartholomew Memorial Scholarship, which honors an exceptional concrete paving professional, a friend and mentor to many of the attendees at the conference who talked about his guidance and influence, and a respected member of the SWCPA Board of Directors. Greg advanced his father’s legacy in the business and inspired countless young engineers through his mentorship, dedication, and craftsmanship.
SWCPA is working with Granite Construction and Teichert Construction to award $2,500 annually for the next two years to students pursuing careers in concrete paving. Eligible applicants include apprenticeship school or academy students focused on concrete paving, as well as college undergraduates studying civil engineering in California, Nevada, or Greg’s home state of Utah. Applicants are encouraged to share their career goals and any family connections to the concrete paving profession.
For more information, go to: Greg Bartholomew Memorial Scholarship
Jacquelyn Wong, Caltrans State Materials Engineer, moderated the afternoon panel, “Pavement Quality Control Beyond the Mix,” which featured Peter Taylor, Director, CP Tech Center; Pri DeSilva, President, Sequoia Consultants; Matt Fonte, Principal, Fonte & Co.; and Chandler Faeth, ABSL Construction.
Panelists Pri DeSilva, President & CEO of Sequoia Consultants, and Dr. Peter Taylor, Director of the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center, engage with the audience after everyone’s presentations.
Following the afternoon panel, Charles Stuart presented the SWCPA EPIC Awards. (See accompanying story.) After the awards were presented, everyone adjourned to “The Speakers Lounge” out in the UCD Activities & Recreation Center Courtyard for food, beverages, and spirited conversation, as evidenced by the following photos.
