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Background

The project consists of the curriculum development and delivery of a 2-course sequence focusing on precast prestressed design of buildings and bridges. The first course in the sequence will cover basic precast prestressed concrete concepts as applied to a typical precast concrete building followed by a precast prestressed bridge design course. The PCI Foundation program includes the full development of the first course in the sequence and the adaptation of a bridge design course that has been taught at the University of Massachusetts Amherst (UMass) that will focus entirely on precast prestressed bridges. 

UMass Amherst is uniquely positioned as an excellent location for this PCI Foundation Studio due to its strong connections with precast concrete producers and professionals in the Northeast region. Through their active engagement in this PCI Foundation Studio, future engineers from UMass Amherst will become an integral part of the precast concrete industry.

Overview of UMass Studio Activities 2022-2023

The first course in the studio's sequence, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Building Design, was developed and first offered at UMass in the 2022 Fall semester. There was a total of 22 students enrolled in the class, with an even distribution of undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to the technical and fundamental knowledge imparted during the course, several opportunities and experiential activities were offered to students related to the precast/prestressed concrete industry. 

The second course in the studio's sequence, Precast/Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design, began at UMass in the 2023 Fall Semester. There is a total of 25 students enrolled in the class, with a near even distribution of undergraduate and graduate students. Students in the course will gain technical and fundamental knowledge of precast, prestressed concrete bridge design. During the course, the students will be visiting precast/prestressed concrete facilities, learning from experts in the industry, and visiting precast/prestressed concrete bridges in the area. 

Principal Investigator:
Sergio F. Breña
Professor and Associate Department Head Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
University of Massachusetts Amherst
233 Marston Hall
Amherst, MA 01003-5205
Phone (413) 545-0349;
e-mail: brena@umass.edu

Studio Partners

Additional Resources