The vision for Spencer Dock Bridge in Dublin, Ireland, was to create a fluid, free-formed shape that satisfied the constraints of providing a navigational channel beneath the eastern end of the deck while accommodating the light rail track form within the depth of the structure. The geometry of the bridge deck soffit and parapets is such that the shape could only be achieved by casting concrete on expanded polystyrene (EPS) formwork. A discussion of the concrete finish for the bridge deck, in terms of the concrete profile, uniformity, and consistency of surface appearance, is provided. The concrete mixture comprised 70% slag cement replacement.

As part of a design-build studio, graduate students in Georgia Tech’s School of Architecture collaborated in designing a public performance space in Atlanta, GA. The performance space was designed to comprise curved concrete elements that will serve as seating surfaces and support columns for a canopy. The team used three-dimensional parametric modeling to produce working, construction, and shop drawings. To produce the formwork for the seating and column elements, expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam was chosen due to its ease of manipulation and recyclability. EPS inserts will act as the interior surface of the formwork, against which the reinforced concrete will be cast.

The Regalia Sunny Isles Beach Condominium in South Florida is going up at a rapid pace because Doka’s Super Climber self-climbing form system allows crews to cycle vertical and horizontal formwork. Inside and outside forms can be hung from the system’s gantry, which allows the contractor to roll forms away from or toward the formed walls while erecting and stripping. All operations can be carried out safely and quickly on the formwork’s large, fully enclosed workspace, because the climbing formwork system is anchored to the concrete at all times.

The 58-story IB Tower in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, posed a number of challenges for DAEWOO Engineering and Construction Co. Ltd, but none more so than the structural concrete elements that will produce the distinctive look of the completed tower. In addition to the central elevator and stair core, the building design includes six mega columns connected by sloping post-tensioned columns in a zigzag pattern. The specification for the finish of the sloping columns required that they be formed without ties. EFCO Formwork design engineers conceived a solution to construct the sloping columns without the need for form ties or substantial amounts of shoring and reshoring.

Before the ACI Spring 2013 Convention in Minneapolis,MN, the ACI Technical Activities Committee selected 42 Chairs for the ACI technical committees.

The following ACI members have ended terms on Standing Board Committees as of the ACI Spring 2013 Convention.

The Decorative Concrete Council, a specialty council of the American Society of Concrete Contractors, announced the winners of its fifth annual Decorative Concrete Awards competition.

It is our pleasure to congratulate individuals in 2013 who will have supported ACI for 25 and 45 years.

Q. I need to select a form release agent for a new project requiring an architectural finish. Can you provide information on different types of form release agents and recommendations for using them? Does ACI have a publication on form release agents I could use as a reference?