PCI is committed to developing unique content that cultivates productive relationships between the precast concrete industry and the academic community. Take advantage of PCI curriculum grants, research funding, lectures, tours, competitions, educational materials, and more!

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 covered 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.

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

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. 

Precast, Prestressed Concrete Building Design Gallery | Fall 2022 

This Studio, led by Professor Sergio Breña, focuses on Precast, Prestressed Concrete Building Design and encompasses Plant Tours, Site Visits, Student Projects, Competitions, and More! The Student Gallery showcases what the students learned and achieved during the course.  

UMass Student Visit to Unistress Gallery
UMass Class Visit to Parking Garage Gallery
UMass Big Beam Team Presentations Gallery
UMASS Big Beam Design 

Studio Partners

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

Precast, Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design Gallery | Fall 2023

This Studio, led by Professor Sergio Breña, focused on Precast, Prestressed Concrete Bridge Design and encompassed Plant Tours, Site Visits, Student Projects, Competitions, and More! The Student Gallery showcases what the students learned and achieved during the course. 

UMass Accelerated Bridge Construction Lecture

UMass Site Visit to Replacement of Bridge No. 04156

Studio Partners

Additional Resources