?ESCSI Weekly 16

A recent report emphasizes the contribution of ESCS to the sustainability and resilience of MSE walls. Conclusions warrant changes in conventional specifications for corrosion regarding substituting normal-weight backfills with expanded shale, clay, and slate lightweight aggregates: "Results indicate the appropriateness of ESCS for addressing corrosion in MSE backfills. Further, outcomes provide guidelines to categorically predict the corrosivity of steel reinforcement when ESCS is employed as fill within MSE systems. These guidelines can help optimize the design and reduce the need to maintain and rehabilitate bridges, abutments, and approach and departure slabs on roadways to keep transportation systems safe and cost-efficient for sustainable infrastructure." The full report is available here: <https://transweb.sjsu.edu/research/2225-Service-Life-Bridges-Sustainable-Resilient-Abutment-Systems>. By Fariborz M. T. , Ken Fishman , and Farmehr M.Dehkordi , funded by #CSUTC and Fresno State Transportation Institute , published by Mineta Transportation Institute . #ESCS #electrochemistry #corrosion #MSE #backfill #bridges #steel #abutment #transportation #pH #sulfate #chloride #resistivity

Archived records of the FHWA Webinar on "FHWA's Lightweight Concrete Bridge Design Primer – ABC Applications" are available here <https://abc-utc.fiu.edu/mc-events/fhwas-lightweight-concrete-bridge-design-primer-abc-applications/?mc_id=857>. Check back soon for updates on the Q&A Session! Reid Castrodale, PhD, PE, FPCI , Castrodale Engineering Consultants, PC

Following successful presentations and exhibitions in the past Geo-Congress events, ESCSI is planning to participate in the Geo-Congress 2024 <https://www.geocongress.org/>, Vancouver, British Columbia, February 25-28, 2024, Bridging Government, Industry, and Academia for Resilient Mega-Communities. #geocongress2024 Geo-Institute of ASCE

A recent article promoted by MIT CSHub in The Hill emphasized the lifecycle approach to assess emissions of building materials <https://www.dhirubhai.net/posts/mit-concrete-sustainability-hub_epa-must-prioritize-life-cycle-emissions-activity-7084178734257209344-r_tj?utm_source=share&utm_medium=member_desktop>. This is a must-read article to understand the value of the lifecycle approach to achieving climate goals. Check selected scenarios in the ESCS PCR by UL linked here <https://lnkd.in/eSVpQ_Ch> to learn about the benefits of expanded shale, clay, and slate throughout the service life of infrastructure. #infrastructure #sustainability #resilience #climatechange #ESCS Expanded Shale, Clay, and Slate Institute, UL Solutions, Credit for Randolph Kirchain and Hessam AzariJafari, MIT CSHub, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, The Hill

The Summer 2023 issue of Aspire Magazine is now available at <https://www.aspiremagazinebyengineers.com/summer-2023>. Don't miss the article "Lightweight Concrete: Improving Concrete Member Eddiciency, Performance, and Durability" by Reggie Holt , Federal Highway Administration , and Reid Castrodale, PhD, PE, FPCI , Castrodale Engineering, pages 59-60.