Overview of SDC Planning Session & Session #24
SDC's Session #24 and Strategic Planning Session took place earlier this month in Palm Harbor, Florida.  More than 30 individuals participated in the Strategic Planning Meeting, and over 50 participated in Session #24, representing all facets of the concrete industry.  Highlights included:

Strategic Planning Session
The SDC Executive Committee took the opportunity to hold a Strategic Planning Session prior to Session #24.  The last Strategic Planning effort by SDC was in 2004.  SDC continues to emphasize the opportunities to broaden membership with the purpose of creating a more complete industry representation within the organization.  Plans to expand membership and participation are key elements for the implementation of an updated structure with committees on Technology Management (formerly Technology Mentoring Committee), membership, and communications.  The SDC Executive Committee will meet in December to plan for governance changes to formalize succession strategies and to begin the implementation of strategic plan actions that will guide SDC for the next 3-5 years.  

Actions at SDC Session #24
SDC was pleased to welcome Bob Risser of the Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) to the SDC executive committee.  Bob also agreed to champion SDC's efforts on Building Information Modeling (BIM), which SDC approved identifying as an "industry critical technology."  In addition, SDC Session #24 highlighted two excellent Technology Showcase presentations on Porcelain Enameled Reinforcing Steel and ELEMIX Concrete Additive - Innovative Solutions for Concrete.  These presentations can now be viewed by SDC members on the SDC Web site by visiting the SDC 24 archive page.

Update on Sustainability
In March 2007, SDC initiated its Sustainability Vision & Roadmap efforts.  Since then, their documented work has been presented to CAMRA (Concrete and Masonry Related Associations).  At its May 2008 meeting, CAMRA acknowledged SDC leadership in awakening a widened interest within the industry regarding sustainability.  Currently, SDC has plans to provide its Vision & Roadmap on its Web site, where it can be used as a reference to the concrete industry and for use in whole or part by other concrete organizations and workgroups as they see fit.  

Update on Building Information Modeling
SDC continues to move forward its efforts to inform and educate the concrete industry on the opportunities of Building Information Modeling (BIM).  Bob Risser has agreed to champion this effort for SDC, and the group is currently involved in developing a plan of action for the concrete industry to utilize in their BIM efforts.  Any SDC members interested in joining the task group on BIM should contact Doug Sordyl at douglas.sordyl@concrete.org or Bob Risser at brisser@crsi.org. 

Next Session #25 to Take Place Next Spring in Washington, DC
Mark your calendars!  The next SDC Session, #25, will take place May 21-22 in Washington, DC.  More information about SDC #25, including location and agenda, will be available soon.

ACI Fall Convention to Feature Sustainable Development Workshop
In conjunction with next week's ACI Fall 2008 Convention in St. Louis, Mo., the ACI Board Advisory Committee on Sustainable Development is sponsoring a sustainable development workshop on concrete, green building and ISO standards on Sat., Nov. 1 from 1 p.m. until 6 p.m.

This workshop will focus on environmental management for concrete and concrete structures, with specific focus on the new Standard under development by ISO/TC71/SC8.  Discussion topics will include an evaluation system on the materials flow of concrete, environmental design of concrete structures, green concrete technologies for life-cycle design of concrete structures, and more.  All registered ACI convention attendees are invited at attend at no cost.  To RSVP for the workshop, please contact Denesha Price at denesha.price@concrete.org.  More information about the ACI Fall 2008 Convention can be found by visiting www.ACIconvention.org. 

Update on Self-Consolidating Concrete Initiative 
SDC's report on Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) is still on track to be completed by the end of the year.  Currently, CTL Group (www.ctlgroup.com) is conducting full-scale tests with SCC, and final results and recommendations are expected to be disseminated through SDC and ACI for use in standards and codes.  Dr. Kamal Khayat presented an update which is available on the SDC Web site at http://www.concretesdc.org/Meetings/Past_Meeting&Sessions/focaltopics_archives_24thGS.htm.

SDC's Doug Sordyl to Receive USGBC Detroit Chapter Award 
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) Detroit Regional Chapter will honor Douglas J. Sordyl, PE, LEED AP, with its Chapter Leadership Award.  Sordyl is ACI’s Managing Director of the Strategic Development Council and Managing Director of Marketing, Sales, & Industry Relations.  He is being recognized for “experienced dedication and leadership” provided during his service as a member and Treasurer of the chapter’s Board of Directors.  The award will be presented at the Engineering Society of Detroit Affiliate Council Gold Award Banquet on February 25, 2009.

SDC Member Profile

Walter P Moore
Founded in 1931, Walter P Moore is headquartered in Houston, Texas, with more than 400 professionals in full-service offices working coast to coast and internationally.  The organization is a respected structural, structural diagnostics, civil, traffic and transportation engineering, and parking consulting firms in the U.S., specializing in various projects from convention centers and performance halls to airports and sports stadiums; from corporate campuses and entertainment centers to healthcare and education facilities; and urban roadway systems and other infrastructure.
A member of SDC, Walter P Moore has been a leader in infrastructure innovation, and considers itself at the top of the industry in BIM (Building Information Modeling) practices.
For more information on Walter P Moore, visit www.walterpmoore.com.