ACI Foundation

Looking for a way to honor the memory of someone who had made a significant impact in your life? A tribute donation to the ACI Foundation provides the opportunity to honor their memory in a meaningful way. By donating to the ACI Foundation you can preserve their legacy while also making a positive impact in the concrete industry.

The ACI Foundation programs focus on building the future of the concrete industry. A tribute donation to the ACI Foundation lays the groundwork for a bright future while honoring the past.

https://www.acifoundation.org/giving.aspx

The ACI Foundation has extended the deadline for personal award nominations.

Do you know anyone that has made outstanding contributions to the concrete industry? Have them be recognized for their contributions with an ACI Foundation personal award.

There are currently three awards open for nominations

NOMINATE TODAY: https://www.acifoundation.org/home/personalawards.aspx

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now OPEN! The ACI Foundation currently offers 48 fellowships and scholarships for high potential students in concrete-related degree programs.

ACI Foundation fellowships are offered to both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a concrete-related degree or program at an accredited institution in the US, Canada and now Mexico. Students in specific countries are eligible for the ACI Foundation Middle East & North Africa Fellowship.

ACI Foundation scholarships are also offered to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a concrete-related degree or program. International students are eligible to apply for most scholarships.

Apply Now: https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

ACI Foundation 2024 Funded Research Project

Title: A Planning Study to Speed Up Broad Implementation of More Sustainable and Resilient Concrete Materials by the Pavement Sector

PI: Somayeh Nassiri, University of California - Davis
Co-PI: John Harvey, University of California - Davis
Endorsed by ACI Committee 240 – Pozzolans

This project will help break down institutional and governmental barriers to the development and implementation of natural pozzolanic resources which are abundant in North America. Naturally pozzolanic materials (both raw and calcined) will help reduce the carbon footprint of concrete by up to 50%. Furthermore, these same materials will increase the durability of concrete by 3x or more due to increased strength, decreased permeability, and mitigation of concrete maladies such as ASR and sulfate attack.

Through concerted efforts, the project envisions a significant acceleration in adopting natural pozzolans, promoting sustainability and resilience in the concrete pavement industry.

Learn more about this and all other ACI Foundation 2024-funded research projects: https://www.acifoundation.org/research/researchprojects.aspx

Monjee Almustafa of McMaster University was one of this year’s recipients of an ACI Foundation Fellowship. Congratulations to Monjee and all the 2024-2025 recipients!

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now open!!

Learn More and Apply: https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

The ACI Foundation is proud to sponsor this year’s ACI Professors’ Workshop, being held on July 15 (virtual portion) and July 23 & 24 at ACI Headquarters in Farmington Hills, MI.

The workshop features prominent, nationally known faculty and industry representatives who have developed concrete related presentations and resources to assist professors in preparing a new course or fine-tuning their concrete-related courses.

Happy 4th of July from all of us at the ACI Foundation.

In case you missed it, the March 2024 issue of Concrete International features an article where we sat down with several past ACI Foundation fellowship/scholarship awardees to hear about their journey from receiving their award, establishing themselves in their careers, and how they have impacted the concrete industry.

Hear stories from, Anahid Behrouzi, Tyler Ley, Kyle Dunning, Heather Todak, Kevin Mueller, Alvaro Ruiz Emparanza, Dana Tawil, and Robert Moser.

Read the full article here:https://www.acifoundation.org/Portals/12/xBlog/uploads/2024/3/1/CI4603Nehasil.pdf

ACI Executive Vice President Fred Grubbe takes over July's President's Memo to discuss the importance of innovation – "Innovation is crucial for success as it drives growth, increases profitability, and helps us stay relevant in a rapidly changing market. But getting it right is challenging... ACI and its members need to continue to innovate; “To have,” as Thomas Edison once noted, “great ideas, have a lot of them."" 🌟

➡️ Read the Full Memo Here: https://www.concrete.org/news/newsdetail.aspx?f=51742031

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are now OPEN! The ACI Foundation currently offers 48 fellowships and scholarships for high potential students in concrete-related degree programs.

ACI Foundation fellowships are offered to both undergraduate and graduate students pursuing a concrete-related degree or program at an accredited institution in the US, Canada and now Mexico. Students in specific countries are eligible for the ACI Foundation Middle East & North Africa Fellowship.

ACI Foundation scholarships are also offered to graduate and undergraduate students pursuing a concrete-related degree or program. International students are eligible to apply for most scholarships.

Apply Now: https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

In 2022, the ACI Foundation published its Guide for Innovators. This free downloadable document was created to inform ACI members and the industry about the ACI Foundation’s Concrete Innovation Council and what actions the Foundation might take when supporting a new technology or innovation.

The Guide for Innovators can benefit anyone seeking to offer a new technology/innovation to the industry, inventors who need help in determining what level their technology is and path to acceptance/use, and ACI or Industry Members who want to highlight a need or a solution to an existing need in the industry.

Download Today: https://www.acifoundation.org/technology.aspx

Mohammad Albash*ti of Clemson University was one of this year’s recipients of an ACI Foundation Fellowship. Congratulations to Mohammad and all the 2024-2025 recipients!

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are opening this Monday July 1, 2024.

https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

Fellowship/scholarship applications for the 2025-2026 academic year open on MONDAY!

The ACI Foundation currently offers 48 fellowships and scholarships for high potential students in concrete-related graduate and undergraduate degree programs.

Review available awards and application requirements: https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

ACI Foundation 2024 Funded Research Project

Title: Experimental Investigation of Use of UHPC to Simplify Structural Detailing of Precast Shear Walls in Seismic Regions
PI: Sriram Aaleti, University of Alabama
Co-PI: Michael E. Kreger, University of Alabama
Endorsed by ACI Committee 550 - Precast Concrete Structures (Joint ACI-ASCE)

This research addresses the implications of recent modifications in the ACI 318-19 Code on precast shear walls, with a specific focus on special structural walls located in seismic regions. These code changes necessitate increased dimensions and weight, and detailing requirements, impacting both shipping costs and the overall competitiveness of precast concrete. To address these challenges, the proposed investigation delves into the application of Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC), recognized for its superior mechanical properties compared to traditional concrete. The primary goal is to simplify seismic structural detailing in precast special walls using UHPC without impacting their lateral load performance. Supported by ACI Committee 550 and aligned with some of the ACI 239 – UHPC Committee efforts, this research holds the potential to guide updates to ACI Code 550.3 and 550.6 and potentially can contribute to modifications in the design provisions in ACI 318 and ACI 319. The overarching objective of this research is to unlock the full potential of UHPC in precast shear walls, presenting a cost-effective and competitive solution in seismic regions. The anticipated outcomes are positioned to enhance industry knowledge, potentially shaping revisions to ACI codes, and establishing UHPC as a credible alternative for seismic-resistant precast concrete construction.

Learn more about this and all other ACI Foundation 2024-funded research projects: https://www.acifoundation.org/research/researchprojects.aspx

Another great episode of ACI’s “Engineering Greatness” podcast. One of the topics discussed in the episode includes research on concrete materials, stressing the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration and innovation.

The episode features Linfei LI, Ph.D. P.I. , assistant research professor of the UMaine Advanced Structures & Composites Center at the University of Maine, co-hosts with Xijun Shi, PhD, PE, assistant professor in the Ingram School of Engineering at Texas State University.

Co-host Xijun Shi, PhD, PE, is also the PI on a research project funded by the ACI Foundation in 2022 titled, Multiscale Reinforcement of Hybrid Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete.

➡️Listen here: https://tinyurl.com/czrcy6fy

Have you checked out the ACI Foundation’s 2023 Annual Report? Each year the Annual Report features highlights and details of our industry impact for that year, as well as recognition to all our amazing donors who help in supporting the ACI Foundations mission and success.

View the 2023 Annual Report:https://www.acifoundation.org/Portals/12/xBlog/uploads/2024/5/21/ACIF-2023-Annual-Report_final.pdf

Camille Davis of University of Louisville was this year’s recipient of the Charles Pankow Foundation Student Fellowship. Congratulations to Camille and all the 2024-2025 recipients!

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year are opening next Monday July 1, 2024.

https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

Today, the ACI Foundation would like to recognize one of our 2023 Donors, Ohio Concrete.

Their support and generosity towards the ACI Foundation helps us fulfill our mission to make the world of concrete stronger, safer, and more innovative through strategic investments in concepts, research, and scholarships.

Thank you, Ohio Concrete!

https://www.acifoundation.org/home/donors.aspx

Looking for a non-monetary way to give back to the industry? Mentoring an ACI Foundation fellowship awardee is one of the ways to do so. By becoming a mentor, you can help increase these students’ awareness of the ACI Foundation and further engage them with ACI and the concrete industry.

With your help, they can build a network of support in their journey to becoming concrete professionals.

https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

Have questions about the upcoming application process for ACI Foundation fellowships/ scholarships? Last fall, the ACI Foundation and its scholarship council hosted a virtual information session on the ACI Foundation fellowship and scholarship application process.

Students met with ACI Foundation staff and scholarship council members for an open discussion on the process and had the opportunity to ask questions about the application.

Applications open on July 1, 2024

View Recorded Session: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4yPwIXPrGcc

The ACI Foundation is accepting nominations for the Arthur J. Boase Award.

The award is given in recognition of a person, persons, or an organization for outstanding research in the structural concrete field, or for outstanding contributions to the advancement of concrete technology through application of the results of structural concrete research.

Review qualifications and download the nomination form: https://www.acifoundation.org/research/crcawards.aspx

Austin Mizen of Bowling Green University was one this year’s recipient of the Baker Student Fellowship. Congratulations to Austin and all the 2024-2025 recipients!

Applications are currently closed and will open on July 1, 2024.

https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

ACI Foundation 2024 Funded Research Project

Title: Strength Reduction Factor for Plain Concrete
PI: Andrzej Nowak, Auburn University
Endorsed by ACI Committee 380 – Structural Plain Concrete; ACI Committee 332 – Residential Concrete Work; and ACI Committee 348 – Structural Reliability & Safety

The objectives of the project are to statistically evaluate parameters for plain concrete for various limit states including compression, tension, and shear, and to determine the associated strength reduction factors using a reliability-based calibration. The statistical parameters and reliability-based calibration for plain concrete can result in the development of higher-performance concrete and safer design of plain concrete components and structures, which will be beneficial to several ACI committees. Furthermore, those may affect the costs and improve the competitive position of concrete versus other materials.

Learn more about this and all other ACI Foundation 2024-funded research projects: https://www.acifoundation.org/research/researchprojects.aspx

Today, the ACI Foundation would like to recognize one of our 2023 Donors, Frank W. Neal & Associates, Inc.

Their support and generosity towards the ACI Foundation helps us fulfill our mission to make the world of concrete stronger, safer, and more innovative through strategic investments in concepts, research, and scholarships.

Thank you, FWN&A!

https://www.acifoundation.org/home/donors.aspx

The ACI Foundation currently offers 48 fellowships and scholarships for high potential students in concrete-related graduate and undergraduate degree programs.

Applications for the 2025-2026 academic year open on July 1, 2024!

Mark your calendar and start reviewing the application requirements: https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

The ACI Foundation is accepting nominations for the Robert E. Philleo Award.

The award is given in recognition of a person, persons, or an organization for outstanding research in the concrete materials field, or for outstanding contributions to the advancement of concrete technology through application of the results of concrete materials research.

Review qualifications and download the nomination form: https://www.acifoundation.org/home/personalawards.aspx

Matthew Pasemann of Texas State University was this year’s recipient of the AOE Fellowship. Congratulations to Matthew and all the 2024-2025 recipients!

Applications are currently closed and will open on July 1, 2024.

https://www.acifoundation.org/scholarships.aspx

ACI Foundation 2024 Funded Research Project

Three- Versus Four-Point Bending Test for The Identification of UHPFRC/FRC Tensile Constitutive Behavior

PI: Francesco Lo Monte, Politecnico di Milano
Co-PI: Barzin Mobasher, Arizona State University
Endorsed by ACI Committee 544 - Fiber Reinforced Concrete

This project aims at defining an experimentally-based procedure for the characterization of the stress-strain constitutive law in tension for FRC and UHPFRC, based on bending testing and analytical inverse analysis, with special attention to SLS strain range. This will be pursued via a combination of experimental testing, numerical analyses, and implementation of machine learning algorithms, devoted to a systematic comparison between 3- and 4-Point Bending Test (according to EN and ASTM standards). The clear definition of a robust method for assessing the stress-strain law in tension starting from the actual standardized bending tests is expected to further push forward the use of FRC and UHPFRC, with the final goal of including the developed method within the design guidelines of TC 544 and TC 239.

Learn more about this and all other ACI Foundation 2024-funded research projects: https://www.acifoundation.org/research/researchprojects.aspx

The June issue of ACI’s Concrete International Magazine highlights ACI Foundation donor, Michelle Wilson, Senior Director of Concrete Technology and Industry Outreach for the Portland Cement Association (PCA).

“It’s important to give back. When I donate to the ACI Foundation, the money is going to the students and industry research. I believe in that. It’s also important to honor the legacy of those who came before me. The Michael Thomas Concrete Durability Award was important for me to champion.”

Read the Full Highlight:https://www.acifoundation.org/Portals/12/xBlog/uploads/2024/6/4/CI4606BuildingtheFuture.pdf

If you attended the ACI Foundation 2024 Technology Forum or are looking for brief highlights, 17 approved presentations from the event are available for download at www.acifoundation.org/forums

We are looking forward to seeing everyone in Denver, CO on August 12 – 14, 2025