Highlights of the ACI Fall 2011 Convention in Cincinnati

ACI has helped lead the concrete industry in a sustainable direction through the formation of ACI Committee 130, Sustainability of Concrete, and cosponsoring the Concrete Sustainability Forum. The latest forum, Concrete Sustainability Forum IV, was held at the ACI Fall 2011 Convention in Cincinnati, OH. Presented topics included ISO TC 71/SC 8 Standard Development, ISO TC 59/SC 17 Standard Development, ACI Committee 130 Work, Incorporating LCA into Codes and Standards, ISI Rating Tools, Low-Carbon Concrete, Sustainable Building, and Essence of Sustainability—Lessons from the Japan Disaster.

Colored glass bottles are normally considered waste material, but glass powder (GP) produced by grinding the bottles is a pozzolanic material. Field trials summarized in this article confirm that concrete mixtures produced with GP as 10 to 30% replacement of portland cement have good mechanical properties and durability. Tests were carried out on concrete slabs located inside buildings and on slabs outside (sidewalks) subjected to an aggressive environment and cycles of freezing and thawing. Slabs, walls, and sidewalks containing GP were instrumented to monitor strain and temperature of the concrete over time.