Florida's Miami-Dade and Broward counties have some of the world's toughest building codes in regard to the threat from hurricanes, as rules were stiffened after Hurricane Andrew, according to Peter Dyga, president of the Associated Builders and Contractors Florida East Coast Chapter. Hurricane Ian and its potential $70 billion in property damage puts those codes back in the spotlight, and while it's too soon to ascertain the success of the updated codes, other states may follow Florida's lead if the damage is limited.

This Oct. 4 webinar, presented by ACI Past President Randall Poston, will focus on the evaluation and repair of two high-profile concrete buildings using ACI 562 - the Courthouse Square mid-rise building complex in Salem, Oregon, and the Austonian high-rise residential tower in Austin, Texas.

From sessions and committee meetings to networking events and exhibits, there are many exciting events in which to participate at the ACI Concrete Convention. Don't miss the International Lunch, the special Architects' Day sessions, and more.

RJC Engineers designed a centrally positioned reinforced concrete coupled core system with flange walls for a pair of 62-story towers in Ontario that twists on each floor. It took extensive preparation to have concrete pumped to each floor, said project engineer Daniel Snodgrass.

UK-based Breedon Group is working with Australian firm First Graphene, Morgan Sindall Construction & Infrastructure and the University of Manchester to develop a lower-carbon, graphene-enhanced cement using First Graphene's PureGRAPH grinding aid. Funded in part by a research grant from the UK government, First Graphene said the study would involve one of the largest tests of its type to date.

US and Polish researchers studied the potential for alternative geological origin rock dust as a partial replacement of fine aggregate and/or cement in portland cement concrete pavements, seeking to quantitatively assess the potential life-cycle economic and environmental effects. Researchers concluded the use of rock dust to replace 20% fine aggregate and 10% cement led to a 6.5% reduction in cost, a 10% reduction in CO2 emissions and 11% decrease in energy consumption.

Rondo Energy, a developer of Heat Battery technology that delivers zero-carbon heat at lower cost than fossil fuels, will be able toe expand its reach with financial backing from Siam Cement. In turn, Rondo's technology can help Siam reach its decarbonization goals while lowering operating costs, said Rondo Energy CEO John O'Donnell.

Russia's Ministry of Industry and Trade said building materials are in high supply, but the agency expects shortages to start in 2024. White cement has been adequately secured through new import sources, according to the ministry, and the government said it plans to develop domestic production capacities of nonmetallic materials.

The Cement Association of Canada is planning to release a road map to net-zero this fall that lays out an action plan for the cement and concrete industry to reach net-zero concrete by 2050 and certain milestones along the way. "The roadmap will really be focused on how the industry, both the concrete and cement side of the industry, can work collaboratively with government and all of the policy and other levers that is has, to help overcome challenges and barriers to net-zero," said Cement Association of Canada President and CEO Adam Auer.