PCI provides one-hour programs in a variety of topics. These programs are easily tailored to conference room or
classroom lunch programs for architects and engineers.
Request a Program
The following programs are prepared and ready for presentation. Please allow a minimum of 2-3 weeks from the date of
your submission to the date of your requested presentation.
In a world where the construction landscape is constantly shifting, staying ahead of the game
is essential for owners, developers, designers, and contractors. Embrace the future of
construction with our captivating course, as we delve into the fascinating world of precast
concrete systems. Structures aren't just about meeting codes and requirements; they're about
revolutionizing the way we build. Explore modern prefabricated techniques while
simultaneously reducing costs and enhancing sustainability and resiliency.
Learning Objectives:
- Overview of Precast Concrete Systems: Gain an understanding of
architectural and structural precast concrete systems, connections, and
constructability.
- Precast Concrete Advantages: Explore the benefits of precast concrete
to gain understanding of its role in reducing costs, design flexibility, energy
efficiency, and building performance.
- Aesthetic Versatility: Learn how precast concrete products can deliver
a multitude of textures and finishes.
- Resiliency Concepts: Understand the concept of resiliency and how
precast concrete systems provide robust multi-hazard protection.
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
The aesthetics of a structure are very important, as it is what most people identify with.
High performance materials should provide aesthetic versatility in order to efficiently meet
a structure’s architectural requirements. Precast concrete provides incredible aesthetic
versatility from providing multiple colors and textures, to developing shapes, forms and
very ornate details. Precast can also simulate or be veneered with natural materials
providing all of their beauty, but with the added speed, durability, many other benefits of
precast. This presentation will provide an overview of the many finishes available with
precast concrete, along with methodologies for achieving them. We will also discuss
combining multiple finishes into single panels, veneers and embedded materials, selection of
mix designs, approaches to achieving colors, proper specification, and procedures to ensure
expectations are aligned.
Learning Objectives:
- Explain the finish options of precast concrete
- Describe methods to achieve color, form and texture
- Explain how clay products and natural stones can be veneered to precast concrete to
speed construction and reduce costs
- Discuss the latest innovations in aesthetics and finishes
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
A structure’s envelope has considerable impact on its overall performance, as highlighted by
recent code changes. The envelope not only serves as a barrier between the outside
environment and conditioned space, but also as a part of the aesthetic expression for the
structure. It must also serve as a protective shield against environmental forces.
High-performance building envelopes can help reduce the overall energy consumption of a
structure throughout the structure’s life, and maintain and protect its interior environment
and occupants.
This presentation addresses what high performance building envelopes are, as well as key
elements to their performance. It will discuss how to use precast concrete wall systems to
meet the latest code requirements such as continuous insulation and air barriers, and
include topics such as moisture management, thermal mass effect and how to calculate
effective R-values, integration with other building systems, and more. This session will
also touch on the idea of resilience. A structure must be able to resist environmental
forces, such as high winds and earthquakes in order to protect life and fulfill its intended
purpose. Case studies are used to highlight information presented.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the three basic types of precast concrete envelope systems
- Describe new envelope code requirements
- Explain thermal mass and how to use it to create more energy efficient buildings
- Discuss moisture management methodologies
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
Schools are much more than just buildings; they are interactive learning environments,
gathering places, and safe havens for the community. Construction of schools can be impacted
by a myriad of factors, including the evolving construction industry, recent code changes,
increasing sustainability requirements, and a challenging economy. These factors are all
increasing the demand for safe, healthy, high-performance educational facilities. In this
presentation, attendees will learn how to design and build high-performance, sustainable,
and resilient schools, with reduced life-cycle costs utilizing precast, prestressed concrete
architectural and structural building solutions. A variety of case studies will be presented
to highlight precast concrete’s high-performance attributes, including optimization of
versatile, efficient, and resilient building applications.
Learning Objectives:
- Redefining Educational Spaces: Explore innovative approaches to school
design that prioritize high performance and resilience, leveraging the incredible
potential of precast concrete.
- Life Safety and Beyond: Discover how integrated architectural and
structural precast concrete solutions enhance crucial life safety aspects, including
fire resistance, storm resilience, superior acoustics, and indoor air quality.
- The Power of Prefabrication: Uncover the advantages of off-site
construction and prefabrication techniques, particularly when utilizing natural,
low-embodied energy materials. Learn how these methods accelerate construction to meet
tight deadlines, minimize site disruption, reduce waste, lower transportation demands,
and facilitate seamless trade coordination.
- Sustainable Excellence: Dive into sustainable design concepts that help
control costs, maintain quality, and align with sustainability goals. Gain insights into
how precast concrete contributes to sustainable design objectives while saving both time
and money.
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
Hollow-Core Floors and Walls
This course instructs participants about hollow-core products and how to design and build
utilizing hollow-core floors and walls. Participants also learn about the inherent fire
resistance of hollow-core, a major life-safety consideration. After this program,
participants will be able to: Identify the different precast, prestressed hollow-core
concrete systems Explain the benefits of using precast, prestressed hollow-core concrete
Discuss the benefits of using hollow-core concrete with owners and other designers.
Learning Objectives:
- Understand fabrication techniques, erection procedures and transportation considerations
for precast Hollowcore plank and wall panels.
- Understand design and detail for precast products including connections and economical
layout considerations.
- Understand High Performance Building principles using precast concrete systems
- Understand how to integrate the precast structural system with other building systems.
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
Parking structures have changed a lot over the past decade. Today’s parking structures have
to be built sustainably, reduce operational and maintenance costs, last longer, and have
more stringent aesthetic requirements. In many cases, they have to be high performance
structures exceeding standard expectations. This presentation will explain what a high
performance parking structure is, as well as how to design and build them utilizing high
performance precast concrete. The latest innovations and design methodologies, including
connections, proper detailing and maintenance will be discussed. Aesthetic options and
versatility will also be presented.
Learning Objectives:
- Describe the primary attributes of a high performance parking structure
- Discuss the latest innovations in parking structure design
- Explain the differences in various structural systems for parking structures
- Describe proper maintenance procedures for parking structure
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
The concept of 'high-performance' encompasses sustainability, and goes beyond a single
criteria approach by requiring optimization of all relevant attributes for a project on a
life cycle basis.
This presentation will introduce how high performance is being applied to special purpose and
routine highway structures in the transportation industry. It will provide an overview of
how precast/prestressed concrete is being used to meet long lasting, low maintenance,
accelerated constructed and low cost requirements for bridges and pavements. The presenter
will briefly discuss where engineers can learn more about the basic concepts and detailed
methodologies related to design and preservation of these ever changing transportation
facilities. It will also introduce some of the newest innovative systems and designs being
used throughout the United States for simple and complex structures.
Learning Objectives:
- Define what high performance concrete transportation structures are
- Discuss the advantages and long-term benefits of high performance design as they relate
to concrete transportation structures.
- Describe how precast concrete contributes to design versatility, efficiency, and
long-term performance of transportation structures.
- Discuss some of the newest technologies in the transportation industry
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
In this program, owners and designers will learn about the low initial cost, low maintenance
requirements, and long life expectancy of prestressed concrete bridges. Precast bridges have
also proven to be high in long-term durability and fire resistance and have excellent riding
characteristics.
Learning Objectives:
- Appreciate the growth in the demand for prestressed concrete bridges
- Explain the advantages of using prestressed bridges
- Differentiate non-precast bridges from totally precast bridges
- Consider the low cost, low maintenance requirements, and long life expectancy of
prestressed concrete bridges when choosing design materials.
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
Population growth continues to explode creating an urgent need for multi-family housing that
offers strength, durability, and improved safety. Precast, prestressed concrete construction
for single, residential, and mixed-use structures is resilient, versatile and
cost-efficient. Participants will learn the basics of using precast, prestressed concrete
components in multi-family housing and the value of using precast, prestressed concrete
floor and wall systems.
Learning Objectives:
- Overview of Precast Techniques: Acquire an understanding of precast
concrete fabrication techniques, learn about erection procedures, and navigate the
complexities of transportation considerations.
- Economical Design: Discover the art of designing cost-effective layouts
with precast products, enabling you to optimize budgets while enhancing the quality of
your projects.
- Seamless MEP Integration: Learn the seamless integration of Mechanical,
Electrical, and Plumbing (MEP) systems into the precast structural system, leading to
highly efficient and functional multi-family spaces.
- Sustainability and Resilience: Delve into how precast concrete
contributes to sustainable and resilient building designs, ensuring long-term
performance that exceeds industry standards.
- Resource Treasure Chest: Access a wealth of design resources tailored
specifically for creating single and multi-family housing using precast products. Equip
yourself with the tools to bring your architectural visions to life efficiently and
effectively.
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
After this course, participants will be more familiar with how precast concrete systems allow
an industrial structure to meet the demands of heavy use and dynamic production advancement.
Additionally, the program explores the use of precast concrete components for specific
industrial, retail, and manufacturing applications that take advantage of precast concrete's
fire-resistance and long roof span capabilities. Participants also discover benefits to the
designer and owner in terms of increased durability, flexibility of design, high quality of
manufactured products, versatility, high-performance, durable materials and speed of
construction because precast components can be erected quickly once they arrive at the site.
Learning Objectives:
- Identify and discuss the different industrial applications for precast, prestressed
concrete systems
- Discuss High Performance attributes of Precast concrete systems in Industrial structures
- Explain the benefits of using precast, prestressed concrete in industrial building
design
- Make an informed material choice for your next industrial building design
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
Health awareness and athletic competition have become increasingly more important throughout
the past years. We see expansions of professional sports teams, new extreme sports being
introduced, old facilities being rebuilt, and a growing demand for new facilities. For
example, the athletic facility market is expected to grow by 15% or more over next couple of
years. Furthermore, these structures have increasing requirements to design and built for
high performance and provide flexibility, functionality, and durability. This presentation
will provide an overview of today's high performance athletic facility design using precast
concrete systems, as well as include recommendations to optimize designs. Topics discussed
will be highlighted with case studies.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the basics of athletic facility design
- Describe the key considerations of high performance design relative to athletic
facilities
- Describe the various elements used in precast concrete systems in athletic facilities
- Explain how to maximize the value of using precast concrete systems in athletic
facilities
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
Precast concrete has numerous qualities that can help buildings perform efficiently and offer occupants and communities healthy, flexible, and useful spaces that can be effectively utilized and adapted over many years. This presentation explores the holistic design and construction of durable, long-lasting structures that are sustainable, safe, and resilient. Case studies of projects that used precast concrete for durability, resilience, and sustainability examine high performance qualities and attributes to consider when specifying the material.
Precast manufacturers are incorporating diverse strategies to meet client sustainability goals. These initiatives will also be explored in the presentation.
Learning Objectives:
- Holistic Design: Define the concepts of resilience and sustainability with a focus on holistic building design, reduced energy use, and long-term, lifecycle performance.
- Structurally Sound, Low Maintenance Structures: Precast concrete design can withstand flooding and hurricane loads as well as other extreme events.
- Sustainable Manufacturing Practices: Transparent documentation and sustainability reporting through the use of environmental product declarations.
- Precast Protects People and Property: Discuss how material choices impact the safety and well-being of occupants, including indoor environmental comfort.
- Built to Stand the Test of Time: Explore case studies that effectively utilized precast concrete to achieve their sustainability goals.
Length: 1.5 Hour
AIA 1.5 HSW/LU
1.5 PDH
After this program, participants will be more familiar with what a total precast concrete
structure is, how a total precast structure can benefit a project, and what components are
used to construct a total precast structure. Participants will also learn how to manage a
successful project.
Learning Objectives:
- Make a distinct connection between precast products and their specific
applications/benefits
- Use total precast concrete structural systems in various applications
- Identify various manufacturing processes involving precast concrete
- See the value that a precast concrete manufacturer contributes to the project
Length: 1 Hour
AIA 1.0 HSW/LU
1.0 PDH
0.1 CEU
Attendees will observe firsthand how designs and engineering details are executed in the
precast manufacturing process. They will also observe the entire precast and prestressed
manufacturing process from engineering and connections, forms set-up, casting and finishing.
Attendees will gain a better understanding of precast and prestressed capabilities and
related quality issues. Attendees will learn how precast fits within the entire building
system and how to specify precast concrete accurately and safely.
Learning Objectives:
- Discuss the wellness/welfare aspects of precast concrete as a building material
- Explain how the precast concrete production process applies sustainability concepts
- Discuss the quality control procedures endemic to the precast concrete production
process
- Implement sustainable precast design and manufacturing concepts to their own production
processes
Credit: 1.00, 2.00, 3.00, or 4.00