< PreviousPhoto by Luna Lu The truth, as trends to be the case, is not quite as blunt. While concrete may have been used extensively to build the incredible structures of Ancient Rome over 2,000 years ago, the material produced today is the work of much innovation and science. In fact, its evolution has come a long way since then. From bendable and self-healing concrete to breathable and recycled concrete, there is huge variety in the sector. One of the more interesting varieties is the self-cleaning kind. This photocatalytic concrete is developed by using a mixture containing titanium dioxide (TiO2) and, incredibly, breaks down harmful pollutants air. However, the leading drive in the concrete industry is its decarbonization. Carbon capture and Green Concrete are proving to be incredibly useful tools in the battle towards net-zero. According to the European Cement Research Academy, the goal is clear. “The global cement and concrete industry has embarked on a net-zero CO2 tran- sition which is the biggest transformation ever undertaken in this sector. It is beyond question that this transformation will require tremendous effort, but the cement and concrete producers are fully committed to making this enormous task a success and delivering net-zero CO2 cement and concrete by 2050. As this transformation towards net-zero CO2 is so enormous, it is clear that an ongoing exchange among all participants along the value chain is necessary. Different roadmaps have addressed policy tasks which comprise the need for a coherent framework of regulations and sup- portive actions. It will be this joint effort of the sector, policy makers and all stakeholders from the cement, concrete and construction industries, as well as the involvement of society, which will make the journey towards net-zero CO2 possible.” While this race to decarbonize concrete cannot be allowed to slow, other innovations are also taking place across the industry, each one bringing fascinating benefits to the way we live our lives. SMART products are now ubiquitous. With the perma-connected lives we now live, there is very little in our world that is not monitoring our behaviors and actions in some shape or form. Our houses can tweak air quality or temperature based on our physical movements and the lighting systems in our neighborhoods double up as CCTV. So, what next, and does concrete have a place in the SMART revolution? Well, thanks to an invention coming out of Pur- due University in West Lafayette, Indiana, the answer is a resounding yes. Incredibly, due to the latest advancements hitting the industry, the ground we walk and drive on now has the ability to talk. Incredibly, due to the latest advancements hitting the industry, the ground we walk and drive on now has the ability to talk. | 70 MAY 2023This groundbreaking development is the result of many years work with scientists at Purdue University, headed up by head of Purdue’s Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Luna Lu. According to Lu, with around 20% of the US interstate high- way system being made of concrete, the need for a material that works positively for its environment is essential. “Traffic jams caused by infrastructure repairs have wasted 4 billion hours and 3 billion gallons of gas on a yearly basis. This is primarily due to insufficient knowledge and understanding of concrete’s strength levels. For instance, we don’t know when concrete will reach the right strength needed to accommo- date traffic loads just after construction. The concrete may go through premature failure, leading to frequent repairing.” Research from initial tests and pilot programs are hugely promising and show that the material works on multiple levels. “The invention, a sensor that allows concrete to 'talk,' decreases construction time and how often concrete pave- ment needs repairs while also improving the road’s sustain- ability and cutting its carbon footprint. Embedded directly into a concrete pour, the sensor sends engineers more pre- cise and consistent data about the concrete’s strength and need for repair than is possible with currently used tools and methods.” Encouragingly, more than half of U.S. states with concrete interstate pavement have signed up to participate in Federal Highway Association funded program. Currently, Indiana, Missouri, North Dakota, Kansas, California, Texas, Tennessee, Colorado, and Utah are taking part with a number of others set to join imminently. While the program is expected to yield further positive results, it is vital that this technology can be rolled out on a wide scale basis. With benefits emerging from both sustain- ability and technological standpoints, the technology could be a real game changer in the concrete world. Thankfully, Lu is also spearheading its wide scale production. “Wavelogix has developed a proprietary IoT sensing and data analytics platform for infrastructure testing and monitoring for the public infrastructure, vertical and other commercial con- struction and precast concrete markets. Our award-winning electrical impedance-based sensing technology provides real-time, in-place concrete strength without the need for any pre-established maturity-curve or index, enabling construc- tion engineers to make accurate data-driven decisions with respect to materials selection, construction schedules, bud- gets, and allocation of other critical resources. Ultimately, the data Wavelogix will collect from thousands of construction projects and structures across the country will enable it to not only assess the current condition of bridges, roadways and other structures but also predict their future stability.” With many interstates ready to adopt the innovative material and Wavelogix reading its products for the open market, it seems as though SMART concrete is very much ready to launch. Alongside the technological advances that the mix- ture has gone through over a few thousand years, SMART concrete may yet be the most important. To back up this huge claim, those at Purdue University are claiming that through the implementation of this technology, millions of dollars will be saved every year. With construction codes demanding a higher cement content than necessary in order to meet strength thresholds, Lu believes that concrete mix “over design” amounts to over one billion tons of carbon annually. “The biggest problem with concrete mixes is that we use more cement to increase the concrete’s strength. That won’t help open the road to traffic any sooner. I feel a strong sense of responsibility to make an impact on our infrastructure through developing new types of technology. In the field of civil engineering, if we don’t make an impact on the world, there won’t be a world to worry about.” More info here. Photo by Purdue University -- Rebecca McElhoe | 71 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONWRITTEN BY MANUELA ARMINI T here is often a disconnect between the skills stu- dents learn in college and those they need as they enter the workforce. Architects, designers, and engineers are no exception. Who should prepare these students for the world of work? Is it the industry, or is it world of academia? While this debate is still ongoing, PCI Gulf South, which represents the precast concrete industry in the Gulf South region, has gone on a mission to actively partner with local universities in educating architecture, engineering, and construction management students on the applications and benefits of designing and building with precast, prestressed concrete. Johnny Mabry, Plant Manager for Jackson Precast explains the various finishes available for precast wall panels 72PCI Gulf South is a chapter of the Precast/Prestressed Con- crete Institute (PCI). While the national institute based in Chicago is responsible for developing and implementing spec- ifications and standards, the ten regional associations repre- sent and promote the precast, prestressed concrete industry in specific regions of the country. PCI Gulf South, led by its Executive Director Dan Eckenrode, connects all the precast producers, suppliers, and contractors in Alabama, Mississippi, and Louisiana. "My job is to represent the precast producers in the Gulf states. I work to spread the knowledge of what they manufacture and the benefits of using durable, sustainable precast building materials. I’m the connection between lots of moving parts and I work every day to grow a network that serves the producers today and will continue to serve them well into the future.” says Eckenrode. After graduating from college in 1987, he began working in the construction industry. 73"I immediately went to work for a construction company on the ground level. I literally was the guy out pouring concrete, setting reinforcement, setting forms in the field. I've always been very good with my hands, and my dad was in construction, so it just kind of came naturally." After working for several engineering firms and different types of contractors, he eventually settled into a position in operations with a precast company. "I had involvement in every aspect of operations except engineering. I did the estimating, I did the sales, I did the operations. I also did project management and many times all at the same time. I had my hands on the whole bit," remembers Eckenrode. In 2017, after working in the precast field for 13 years, he transi- tioned to his current role at PCI Gulf South. From the day-to-day running of the association to working with associate members and producers, Eckenrode adopts a hands-on approach with PCI Gulf South. Part of the association’s job is liaising with the different state DOTs (Departments of Transportation), the American Institute of Architects, and the American Society of Civil Engineers. PCI Gulf South meets with each DOT in the region twice a year and regularly organizes design seminars to update DOT engineers on the latest industry developments. Facilitating relationships between the Gulf states precast producers and the DOT’s was such an important goal that the association formed a dedicated transportation committee solely for the purpose of communication and streamlining interaction. Another essential component of the association's work revolves around providing educational activities for industry profession- als and students. PCI Gulf South engages with professionals through lunch and learns, producers' meetings, seminars, and networking events. In 2020, due to the COVID pandemic, PCI Gulf South, in conjunction with other regions launched a series of online webinars to keep all the industry players in the region connected. Going online presented an opportunity for local professionals to liaise with members of the precast industry nationwide. These monthly webinars became so successful that the association continues to host them on a regular basis to this day. Besides being great opportunities for professional development and networking, many of the activities organized by PCI Gulf South provide professionals within the industry with CEUs (continuous educational units). At the same time, PCI Gulf South aims to involve compa- nies in educational activities for architecture, engineering, and construction management students. "Ultimately, the students are going to become future employees of these companies. My viewpoint is, if I was a designer, I'd want to share my input in what knowledge the students are receiv- ing at the collegiate level, so that when they graduate and come to work, they already have a solid understanding of how precast functions." says Eckenrode. This forward-think- ing attitude stems from when Eckenrode himself worked as a producer and came to realize that engineers, designers, architects, and other professionals in the construction industry had little or no knowledge of precast concrete. "They had never even touched precast concrete," he says, "so when I accepted this position with PCI Gulf South, I asked my producers to think about this for a second. Is it reason- able to think that you are going to convince a designer that's been designing a certain way for years that now they need to change directions and begin designing with precast? Probably not. That would be a tough sell." With this in mind, PCI Gulf South turned its focus to university and college students and began educating them on precast concrete to prepare them before they enter the workforce. 74insights working together on a project," says Eckenrode, "As part of the studio program, the students work through a proj- ect and present a final review of a design which outlines how they're going to build it. That, to me, is the ultimate in educa- tion because through this process, the students experience what their future role will be when they enter the workforce.” To date, the PCI Gulf South region has been awarded four stu- dio programs which include Tulane and McNeese University in Louisiana, the University of Alabama, and Mississippi State University. As some of the programs wrap up, Eckenrode is already working with Auburn University and other institutions to get new collaborations going. In addition to the studio program, PCI Gulf South brings industry into the classroom in many other ways, educating students and professors alike on precast concrete's different applications and benefits. “Professors in the Gulf states have been wonderful. They recognize the importance and value of our collaboration and have welcomed the efforts of the precast industry with open arms.” One of the latest initiatives promoted by PCI Gulf South to bridge the gap between universities and the industry is the Mini-Beam Prestressed competition. Last year, while visiting the ASCE competition in his region, Eckenrode noticed that students were involved in all sorts of design and architecture competitions, but no competition existed for prestressed concrete. With the help of engineers and other industry pro- fessionals, Eckenrode came up with the idea of a Mini-Beam Prestressed competition and put together the rules, the judges, and the funds to run it. The proposal was then sub- mitted to the committee of the University of South Alabama, which welcomed the idea. The first competition of this kind will take place later this spring and has already garnered the attention of ten teams who will compete to win a prize for the best designed precast, prestressed mini beam. Ultimately, Eckenrode sees himself as a combination mar- keter and educator. His vision for PCI Gulf South is to keep planting seeds to improve communication and knowledge among all the players in the precast concrete industry. With a rich history and years of experience, it looks as though he, and PCI Gulf South, are on the right track. This is, of course, a long-term project which will ultimately pay off over a number of years, maybe even decades, but Eckenrode is systematically bringing precast education to all the major universities in the Gulf South region. "If there's any failing that my industry has had over the years, it's that we have not planted the seed at a young enough age. So, I want to concentrate on engaging with professors and students." This mission is supported by the PCI Foundation, which funds four-year studio programs in universities around the country. Once a university has been awarded a studio program, PCI Gulf South and the PCI Foundation bring in industry profes- sionals who lecture the students and guide them through all facets of precast. "At Mississippi State, we've developed a pretty healthy program that includes a combination of archi- tecture students and construction management students. I love that dynamic because an architect thinks a certain way, an engineer thinks a certain way, and a construction man- ager thinks a certain way. We need to have all three valuable “Through this process, the students experience what their future role will be when they enter the workforce.” Matt DeVoss, Partner and President of Jackson Precast speaks to students of Mississippi State studio program | 75 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONmodest one. The goal at the time was to grow his company by purchasing four or five extra trucks.Eighty-two years later, the company has surpassed even the most hopeful goals for Ferguson, and the company stands as a testament to the success that can be achieved through honest, hard work. JJ Ferguson, the company that bears his name, has become Mississippi's, Alabama’s, and Arkansas' leading supplier and transporter of prestressed concrete beams for bridges.With its head office on Highway 82 in Greenwood, Mississippi, JJ Ferguson is now led by Shannon Steen and employs an incredible 110 workers. WRITTEN BY MANUELA ARMINI J esse James Ferguson was only 16 when he started his sand and gravel business in 1941.His only assets were a few dollars borrowed from friends, a shovel, and a Ford truck that he had converted into a dump truck.At that time, his biggest dream was, by modern standards, a | 76 MAY 2023It goes without saying that eighty-two years is a lifetime.Such a length of time in the business world, even more so. With such a rich and deep history, business scope and leadership changes are almost inevitable.Nevertheless, JJ Ferguson still maintains the same dedication and family atmosphere Ferguson instilled way back at its inception in 1941.The company's evolution from a sand and gravel business into a prestressed beams manufacturer was gradual and steady.At one time, JJ Fergu- son was also an asphalt operating contractor.Since becoming involved in the precast business, the company has continued its long legacy of actively contributing to delivery of the highest standards. Striving and advocating for the highest industry standards is one of the key values the company holds. This is evidenced by the fact that JJ Ferguson is a producer member of PCI Gulf South, where Steen sits on the Board of Directors. Being involved in the industry for such a long time, it goes without saying that a company will experience periods of transition. In 2005, after 64 years of hard work, Ferguson passed away.By growing his company, Ferguson had built more than a successful business.He had indeed built a fam- ily of loyal and affectionate friends.Two of these friends and long-time employees, Rocky and Shannon Steen, purchased the company and brought it into a new generation, all the while continuing the incredible work and high standards the company had become known for. Steen remembers when she started working with the com- pany."I came to work here in 1996 in the job cost office, and I met my husband here, Rocky Steen.He was the office man- ager at the time, but over the years, he worked up to being Vice President." After welcoming their children and with her husband in a demanding position,Steen decided to dedicate more time to her family and left her job in the finance depart- ment.Oncethey took over JJ Ferguson in 2005, Rocky Steen became President of the company.His business acumen, ability to delegate, and thoughtful leadership represented a powerful drive for JJ Ferguson over the coming years.As part of his strategic plan to focus more on prestressed concrete beams, Rocky Steen decided to sell the asphalt operations part of the business and downsize. | 77 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONAs Steen explains, this strategic decision hasn’t had an impact on the attention to detail that runs through the company. "At one time when Mr. Jesse got the company started, he had probably over 600 employees, 400 trucks, different asphalt plants, ready mix plants, gravel plants located across Missis- sippi," she says."We currently have about 110 employees.We have the sand and gravel division, which of course, is road building.We have transporters that haul dirt and gravel, and they transport our bridge beams that are made in our prestress yard. We have a ready-mix concrete plant. Its main purpose is supplying our prestress/precast yard with concrete, but it also facilitates outside concrete sales. Then, of course, we have our prestress yard, which is a supplier of the bridge components." Unfortunately, in early 2017, Steen's husband, Rocky, passed away.His passing was a huge loss, not only to his family but also for his colleagues and friends at JJ Ferguson.For a few years, the company was led by former Vice President of inter- nal operations, Christy Powell.However, it wasn't long until Steen decided to get back in business."About three years after Rocky died and some serious thought and a whole lot of praying, I decided that I would step into his role as owner and President of JJ Ferguson," she says.Thanks to the support of her team, Steen's transition into her new role was smooth.A strong and intelligent woman, she knew from the beginning she had to find her own way to manage the business."Build- ing roads and bridge beams and hauling dirt and gravel are not every woman's dream job, but for the sake of my three kids, I thought it was the right thing to do." As Steen points out, her strength is in the holistic development and care that she puts into the working relationships throughout the busi- ness."I'll be the first to say that I'm not here because of my vast knowledge of road work.I can't tell most of these men how to do their job, and they know that, and I'm fine with that." Unsurprisingly, her honest and open approach to leadership has been very effective so far.JJ Ferguson is as strong as ever and has become a reference name for prestressed beams for bridges across Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama. “JJ Ferguson is as strong as ever and has become a reference name for prestressed beams for bridges across Mississippi, Arkansas, and Alabama.” | 78 MAY 2023Over the past 82 years, the company has carried out profit- able and notable projects in the road sector as well as in the prestressed beamsfield.In fact, the team at JJ Ferguson is currently working on a $7 million job in Washington County. The Mississippi River Bridge in Lake Village, Arkansas, was constructed by using products made by Ferguson. Some years ago, we completed a $20 million project inJack- son.JJ Ferguson has also supplied concrete beams to build the I-69 section between Tennessee and Mississippi and performed roadway work for the widening of Highway 82 across thestate. As a member of PCI Gulf South, JJ Ferguson is also involved in educational activities aimed at engineering, design, and architecturestudents.One example of its dedication to supporting future generations of precast experts is the plant tour organized in 2019 for a group of design students from the University ofMississippi. This dedication to education and professional growth doesn’t stop with a commitment to the local community. The company also benefits from a close-knit staff. With several father and son teams, cousins and even two married couples, community is at the heart of everything JJ Ferguson does. Steen has, as you would expect, already involved her three children in the family business also."I have two boys, one that is 19 and the other almost 21 and a daughter that's 22.So, my boys have worked here over the last two summers, starting from the bottom of the ladder. The first summer, both boys worked on the line in the prestress yard... the real hard work. The next summer, Eli (19) worked on a road crew, while Tristan was learning to run the concrete plant. Sara Beth will occasionally help us out in the office too." While she is working hard to keep the company thriving, Steen also thinks about the future, and at the right time,she wouldn't mind handing the reins over to her children."I'm certainly hoping that they step up, and I can hand over the keys and sit back and watch them grow the company," she concludes. Steen's bravery and commitment to stepping up for her chil- dren and employees has not gone unnoticed.The company has experienced turbulence and challenges along the way and is in a very healthy position due to strong leadership and a commitment to hard work. By the same token, the team at JJ Ferguson is equally committed to supporting her and contributing to the company's ongoing success. As the saying goes, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. With that in mind, there is little doubt that the Steen family will proudly continue JJ Ferguson's 82-year-oldlegacy for a long time to come. | 79 APEIRON CONSTRUCTIONNext >