Learn @ Lunch Programs

The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute Northeast is a chapter of The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute (PCI).  We have created a comprehensive environment that brings together educational resources and learning opportunities from a variety of industry sources. Our extensive course offering includes opportunities to earn valuable AIA Learning Credits or Professional Development Hours more conveniently than ever before. There is no cost to host a presentation and lunch will be provided.

PCI Northeast producer members offer plant tours at their manufacturing facilities for design professionals and college students.
PCI Northeast also offers complimentary presentations for professional association meetings. Topics can be customized to the associations needs. Lengths can vary from 30 minutes to 4 Hours.

Request a Learn @ Lunch Presentation

Topics

Architectural Precast | Parking Structures | Precast Building Systems | Precast Bridges | Miscellaneous


Architectural Precast Topics


The Aesthetic Versatility of Architectural Precast Concrete

Level 2: Intermediate | Length: 1.0 Hour | Credits: AIA HSW 1.0 LU | PDH: 1.0

The aesthetics of a structure are very important, as it is what most people identify with. High performance materials should provide aesthetic versatility in order to efficiently meet a structure’s architectural requirements. Precast concrete provides incredible aesthetic versatility from providing multiple colors and textures, to developing shapes, forms and very ornate details. Precast can also simulate or be veneered with natural materials providing all of their beauty, but with the added speed, durability, many other benefits of precast.  This presentation will provide an overview of the many finishes available with precast concrete, along with methodologies for achieving them. We will also discuss combining multiple finishes into single panels, veneers and embedded materials, selection of mix designs, approaches to achieving colors, proper specification, and procedures to ensure expectations are aligned. Industry-wide Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) will be discussed for precast products.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe methods to achieve color, form and texture.
  • Explain how clay products and natural stones can be veneered to precast concrete to speed construction and reduce costs.
  • Understand fabrication techniques, erection procedures and transportation considerations.
  • Understand design & detail considerations including connections & panel layout.
  • Understand design economy considerations.


High Performance Precast Concrete Enclosure Systems

Level 2: Intermediate | Length: 1.0 Hour | Credits: AIA HSW 1.0 LU | PDH: 1.0

A structure’s envelope has considerable impact on its overall performance, as highlighted by recent code changes. The envelope not only serves as a barrier between the outside environment and conditioned space, but also as a part of the aesthetic expression for the structure. It must also serve as a protective shield against environmental forces. High-performance building envelopes can help reduce the overall energy consumption of a structure throughout the structure’s life, and maintain and protect its interior environment and occupants.

This presentation addresses what high performance building envelopes are, as well as key elements to their performance. It will discuss how to use precast concrete wall systems to meet the latest code requirements such as continuous insulation and air barriers, and include topics such as moisture management, thermal mass effect and how to calculate effective R-values, integration with other building systems, and more. This session will also touch on the idea of resilience. A structure must be able to resist environmental forces, such as high winds and earthquakes in order to protect life and fulfill its intended purpose. Case studies are used to highlight information presented.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the three basic types of precast concrete envelope systems
  • Explain thermal mass and how to use it to create more energy efficient buildings
  • Discuss moisture management methodologies
  • Understand insulated panel fabrication techniques, erection procedures and transportation considerations.
  • Understand R-values & insulation types as it related to building envelope performance.
  • Understand detail considerations including connections & panel layout for insulated panels.


Parking Structures Topics


Mixed-Use Applications for Precast Parking Structures

Level 2: Intermediate | Length: 1.0 Hour | Credits: AIA HSW 1.0 LU | PDH: 1.0

An overview of the most common systems of precast concrete products, cover basic design criteria and capabilities, and explore case studies showing how precast was used to solve diverse design and construction challenges for mixed use construction. The NEXT beam was developed for highway bridges but has steadily grown for applications in the building market.  Several case studies will be discussed on how the NEXT beam solved requirements for heavy loads such as green roofs, terraces and fire truck loading.

Learning Objectives:

  • Discuss parking structures sustainable integration with the built environment.
  • Understand common structural solutions using prestressed concrete products. 
  • Explain the attributes of precast beams that can handle heavy loads.
  •  Learn about precast specifications, design resources, & the plant certification program.
  • Explain precast applications using several cases studies for mixed-use. 


Designing High Performance Parking Structures

Level 2: Intermediate | Length: 1.0 Hour | Credits: AIA HSW 1.0 LU | PDH: 1.0

Parking structures have changed a lot over the past decade. Today’s parking structures have to be built sustainably, reduce operational and maintenance costs, last longer, and have more stringent aesthetic requirements. In many cases, they have to be high performance structures exceeding standard expectations. This presentation will explain what a high performance parking structure is, as well as how to design and build them utilizing high performance precast concrete. The latest innovations and design methodologies, including connections, proper detailing and maintenance will be discussed. Aesthetic options and versatility will also be presented.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe the primary attributes of a high performance parking structure
  • Discuss the latest innovations in parking structure design
  • Explain the differences in various structural systems for parking structures
  • Describe proper maintenance procedures for parking structure


Precast Building System Topics


Building High Performance Educational Facilities

Level 2: Intermediate | Length: 1.0 Hour | Credits: AIA HSW 1.0 LU | PDH: 1.0

Educational Facilities are a vital part of the fabric of our society that directly contribute to what our future will be. These are places where future generations learn more than just math and science, they learn about people, life, and develop key life skills. Today’s schools are more than just buildings, they are interactive learning environments. They are gathering places. They are safe havens for a community. This presentation will discuss recommendations on how to design and build high performance schools, which provide energy efficiency, safety and resiliency, as well as reduce life cycle costs. Aesthetics, acoustics, schedule, and fire protection will also be discussed. Case studies will be used to highlight topics discussed.

Learning Objectives:

  • Describe what high performance schools are, and the benefits they offer to students, teachers, and the community
  • Identify key considerations in high performance school design
  • Explain the basic approaches to high performance school design using precast concrete
  • Describe concepts on how to control cost and quality, reduce maintenance, and meet sustainable design goals


An Introduction to Precast Concrete Housing Systems

Level 2: Intermediate | Length: 1.0 Hour | Credits: AIA HSW 1.0 LU | PDH: 1.0

In this program, participants will learn the basics of using precast/prestressed concrete in multi-family housing. This course instructs participants about hollow-core products and how to design and build utilizing hollow-core floors and walls. Participants also learn about the inherent fire resistance of hollow-core, a major life-safety consideration. After this program, participants will be able to: Identify the different precast, prestressed hollow-core concrete systems Explain the benefits of using precast, prestressed hollow-core concrete Discuss the benefits of using hollow-core concrete with owners and other designers. discussed include: acoustic properties, fire safety, indoor environmental advantages of concrete, maintenance needs, speed of construction, and outdoor environmental properties (LEED).

Learning Objectives:

  • Utilize the precast concrete design for sustainable housing.
  • Identify structural concepts, including enclosure systems, used with precast concrete housing design.
  • Design efficiencies into precast concrete structures through the use standard design systems.
  • Identify the design resources available to aid in designing single and multi-family housing using precast products.
  • Understand fabrication techniques, erection procedures and transportation considerations for precast Hollowcore plank and wall panels.
  • Understand design and detail for precast products including connections and economical layout considerations..
  • Understand how to integrate the precast structural system with other building systems. 
  • Review Examples of Housing in Residential/Multi-Family, Hotels, Student Residence and More.


Precast Bridge Topics


Accelerated Bridge Construction using Precast Concrete

Level 2: Intermediate | Length: 1.0 Hour | Credits: PDH: 1.0

Description: The presentation will discuss precast resources that can used for accelerated bridge construction projects. The overview will assist designers in determining the appropriate solutions for precast substructures and superstructures in design and construction. Several case studies will showcase the versatility and aesthetic enhancements of precast used in ABC applications.
NEXT beam bridge applications will review of all three variations NEXT “F”, “D” and “E”. Several case studies will showcase the versatility of the beam for bridges and infrastructure applications.
The PCI Northeast Technical Committee developed guidelines for the Northeast Deck Bulb Tees to provide a fast construction option for bridges with spans from 80 to 140 feet.  The section resembles a standard NEBT girder except it has a wider thicker top flange that is the deck.  
Precast Full Depth Deck Panels will also be reviewed. Full Depth deck panels are usually specified for accelerated projects where construction schedules must be reduced for building the deck.

Learning Objectives:  
1. Learn about available design resources and how to use them for an ABC project
2. Define how to design an efficient prestressed bridge element.
3. Discuss different bridge elements and aesthetic enhancement when selecting components.
4. Understand precast substructure element size, finish, and how it effects production, shipping and handling.


Best Practices for Precast Concrete Bridge Construction

Level 2: Intermediate | Length: 1.5 Hour | Credits: PDH: 1.5

 This workshop will cover the Influence of Design Considerations on the Fabrication and Installation of Precast Concrete Bridge Elements and Systems.

Topics

  • Discussion of Precast Superstructures Products:

    Box Beams/Deck Beams, Bulb Tee Girders, NEXT Beams, Full and Partial Depth Deck Panels

  • Discussion of Design and Fabrication:
  • Straight Strand Design versus Draped Strand
  • Beam Reinforcement Details
  • Skewed Elements - Production and Design Issues
  • Storage, Shipping and Handling
  • Closure Joints for ABC projects
  • Precast Substructures
  • Camber and Profile Management
  • Tolerances
  • Resolution of Non-Conformances

Learning Objectives

  • Learn about available design resources and how to use them for a project.
  • Understand how to design an efficient prestressed bridge element.
  • Learn about different bridge elements and how to select the best member for the design.
  • Understand best practices in fabrication when designing a precast prestressed elements.
  • Review strategies for design and construction that will result in less issues and a more effective solution


Miscellaneous Topics


PCI is a Registered Provider!

We are proud to be registered to provide continuing education for architects and engineers to stay current and fulfill licensure requirements in all 50 states! PCI will also upload continuing education data for any licensed engineer in the state of Florida, by providing PCI with your FL PE number when signing any attendance sheet.

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PCI is a preferred provider of education for the International Code Council. Individual courses must be registered with ICC via PCI’s registration before offering ICC credit. Please contact education@pci.org for more specific instructions regarding the ICC Preferred Provider program.

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