The latest edition of the PCI Design Handbook has been published and is now available. The industry’s leading design guide for precast and prestressed concrete provides easy-to-follow design procedures; numerical examples; and both new and updated design aids using ACI 318-05, ASCE 7-05, IBC 2006, and other current industry standards. This indispensable, nearly 800-page publication provides the designer with comprehensive and efficient procedures for the safe design of both architectural and structural precast and prestressed concrete products. The design information and recommendations are based on the latest research as well as the consensus of practicing engineers. Every designer needs this indispensable publication at his or her fingertips for quick reference.

One of the benefits of working for an institution, like PCI, with excellent technical resources, is that I am able to share those resources with architects and engineers as they make choices about precast concrete.

I often talk to architecture firms, contractors and engineers about the tools available to them to aid in the design and construction of precast concrete buildings. As an institute, PCI has spent much time and effort creating quality publications that discuss the best-practices of our industry. To my mind, one set of publications published by the institute offers some of the best, most succinct information to be found anywhere about precast concrete -- The Designer's Notebook.

I recently had the opportunity to speak to seventh grade students at the Forest Park (IL) Middle School. Mr. Kevin Case, the Industrial Arts teacher there, gives his students a chance to hear about careers ranging from concrete to trees or music. What has struck me when I visit the school is that while the students are squirrelly (just like you'd expect 7th graders to be), they are also curious and fun to talk to. They listen, and ask questions . . . sometimes kind of macabre ideas about falling in a concrete mixer, but also questions about jobs and materials . . .  they were definitely listening.

The annual PCI Design Awards competition is under way for 2010 and now is the time to submit your project for consideration. For 48 years, the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute has recognized outstanding projects for excellence in design and construction quality using precast/prestressed concrete. These projects demonstrate how designers are continuing to utilize precast, prestressed concrete components to achieve more cost-effective, sustainable, aesthetically pleasing, and quickly constructed projects. The two principal award categories are Buildings and Transportation Structures. There are also three special award categories: Best Sustainable Design, Best All-Precast Structure, and the prestigious Harry H. Edwards Award for innovation.