Lunch & Learn

PACA is a registered provider of PDH/CES units for the engineering and architecture communities and conducts a variety of continuing education events and workshops. A current list of our courses and their descriptions is listed below. To request a presentation at your firm or to learn more, please contact PACA's Director, Specifications & Sustainability Susan Armstrong.

Type IL: - The “New” Cement on the Block – Portland Limestone Cement: (30 mins) (0.5 PDH/CES)
Type IL cement is a more sustainable, lower carbon cement that reduces CO2 emissions by up to 10% while still producing concrete performance equivalent to ordinary Type I Portland cement. To understand the push for PLC’s we must first understand carbon. There are two types of carbon that we must look at, embodied and operational carbon.  While there are many benefits of using a PLC, there are some challenges that should be recognized, both in production and finishing of concrete. 

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) Construction: (60 Minutes) (1 PDH/CES)
This program provides a general understanding of ICF construction and its benefits to contractors and owners. Concrete construction offers tremendous safety benefits over traditional frame construction. A recent cost study illustrates these benefits and offers a cost comparison to alternate building materials. 

Improving Sustainability in Construction with Concrete: Codes, Specifications and Requirements: (30 mins)(0.5 PDH/CES)
Prescriptive vs. performance-based design and how it relates to improving sustainability of structures. How design can help lower the carbon footprint of the building and help achieve net zero emissions by 2050. 

Expect Compressive Strength Test Results Less Than Specified Strength on Every Project: (30 Min) (0.5 PDH/CES)
On every project, experienced concrete industry professionals recognize that individual compressive strength test results can be lower than the specified strength, f′ c. While there are numerous reasons this might occur, one important reason is: the standards for acceptance criteria used in the United States are based on statistical concepts that permit a low-test result, and it is standard practice for concrete producers to design concrete mixtures based on a probability of about 10% that an individual strength test may be less than f′ c.

Designing for Durability: (60 Min) (1 PDH/CES) 
Concrete is a versatile construction material that can be used in a wide range of service and environmental conditions. Conditions that can impact service live of concrete structures should be identified during design and addressed in project specifications. To address durability of concrete, ACI 318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, has specific requirements for concrete for defined environmental exposure conditions. This presentation will cover why and how durability should be addressed and consideration of other durability considerations such as cracking, thermal gradients, abrasion, and alkali silica reactions. 

A Day in the Life of a Concrete Cylinder: (60 Min) (1 PDH/CES) 
The importance of testing concrete in the field is often underestimated and overlooked. The need for certified personnel both in the field and laboratory is imperative. There are many factors that may contribute to low cylinder strengths on a project, and many of those factors could be avoided. This presentation will look at the “cost” of low cylinder breaks and the necessary steps to insure proper testing and cylinder care in the field. 

What an Engineer Should Know About ASR and Other Aggregate Issues: (60 Minutes) (1 PDH/CES)
Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) is a potentially deleterious reaction that may occur in concrete. Three conditions must be present for ASR to form: the aggregate must contain reactive forms of silica, along with a sufficient amount of alkalis, and abundant moisture. Just because an aggregate contains ASR reactive phases, and most do, it does not mean that deleterious ASR gels will form in the concrete. Also discussed will be Alkali Carbonate Reactions and Pyrrhotite Reactions. The presentation will provide details of the history of Pennsylvania’s ASR specification development and revisions, beginning in the early 1990’s and until the present day. Results from the widespread testing of Pennsylvania’s aggregates with the currently approved test standards are presented along with issues of the repeatability of these test methods. Challenges with durability and constructability due to high levels of mitigation are discussed, along with an outline of plans to address the current limitations that have been encountered. 

Zero Defects Concrete: (60 minutes) (1 PDH/CES)
This presentation provides information on materials used in the production of concrete, including cementitious materials, aggregates, and various admixtures which aid in the placement and finishing of concrete. By its nature, concrete will crack. Weather, subgrade conditions, jointing and mix selection are all factors in producing quality concrete. This program will offer insights as to why concrete cracks and offers suggested best practices to eliminate or mitigate these cracks. Also discussed are selecting the proper mixes for the applications, weather considerations, proper jointing of concrete, curing and strength development, and common problems that occur in concrete.

Flowable Fill: The Controllable Backfill: (60 minutes) (1PDH/CES)
Participants will learn about flowable fill and its advantages over traditional granular backfill materials. This self-leveling, self-compacting product provides for a safer, more efficient job site. Flowable fill continues to grow in popularity among designers and contractors.

Tilt-Up Concrete Construction: (60 minutes) (1 PDH/CES)
Participants in this one (1)-hour program will receive a general overview of tilt-up construction. Additional topics to be covered include design tips, speed of construction, project scheduling, and exterior façade options. Several tilt-up projects will also be highlighted in this presentation.

Concrete Solutions for a Sustainable Future: (60 Minutes) (1 PDH/CES) (AIA Course CSSF)
The program will highlight the aspects of concrete that make it the choice for sustainable construction projects. Whether it is for conventional pavement, pervious concrete pavement, or buildings. Concrete’s durability, longevity and curb appeal make it the superior choice. 

Roller Compacted Concrete: Today and Tomorrow: (60 minutes) (1 PDH/CES) (AIA Course RCCCOMCON11)
Today RCC pavements are the choice when strength, durability and economy are needed. The high strength of RCC pavements eliminate many of the costly problems associated with asphalt paving. RCC resists rutting, deterioration from fuel spills, and will not soften under high temperatures. Participants will be provided with an overview of RCC pavements and the advantages associated with its construction.

The Concrete Advantage in Parking Lots: (60 minutes) (1 PDH/CES) (AIA Course CONCADVANT11)
Your parking lot may leave the first impression on your customers about your business. A concrete parking lot can make that first impression a lasting one. This seminar will provide participants with a better understanding of concrete parking areas and their design and construction. An introduction to a parking area design software package called the “concrete pavement analyst” is provided. This software is based on ACI 330 and is a welcome tool for the designer. 

Expect Concrete Compressive Strength Test Results Less than Specified: (60 Minutes) (1 PDH/CES) (Course AIA ConCyl24)
Professionals recognize that individual compressive strength test results can be lower than the specified strength, f′ c. While there are numerous reasons this might occur, one important reason is: the standards for acceptance criteria used in the United States are based on statistical concepts that permit a low-test result, and it's standard practice for concrete producers to design concrete mixtures based on a probability of about 10% that an individual strength test may be less than f′ c. This is done such that the owner benefits from an economical and sustainable concrete mixture that complies with the ACI 318-19 and represents limited risk to structural performance considering the use of safety and resistance factors in design.