Author Archives: Irish Concrete Society

The House that Precast Built: Precast Concrete Solutions for Faster Residential Construction

Venue: Online

The concrete industry embraces innovation and modern methods of  construction (MMC) by offering concrete solutions which can be used to reduce construction time as well as offering cost savings.

Consideration of MMC options for structural concrete at an early design stage is critical in optimising the speed of construction, structural performance and delivery of the most economical package for each project. Precast concrete plays an increasingly prominent role through providing accelerated construction timelines, improved quality, reduced waste, cost efficiency and diverse applications.

In this joint seminar with Engineers Ireland, our panel of experienced industry professionals will provide practical  information and guidance on the design, manufacture and construction processes in delivering structural precast concrete solutions that accelerate residential construction timelines.

This seminar will be of particular interest to Design and Consulting Engineers,  Main Contractor Engineers and Precast Producers involved in the design,  specification  and supervision of residential construction. Site Engineers, Sub- Contractors and Ready-mixed Concrete Producers will also benefit from attending.

Fees: 

  • ICS / EI Members: €175 pp
  • Non-member: €275 pp
  • €50 Early Bird Discount Applies

Programme: 

10:00 Welcome | Irish Concrete Society
10:05 Permanent Works Design | Colm Quirke, DBFL
10:45 Specialist Precast Design | Aidan O’Connell & Alan Boyle, Punch Consulting Engineers
11:15 Break
11:30 Production | George Beggan, Flood Precast
12.00 On-site Design Co-ordination and Construction | Jemma Houston & Greg Cunha, John Sisk & Son
12:30 Questions and Answers
12:50 Ends

Cold Weather Concreting

Date: 27th November 2024 | Venue: Online

The negative effects of placing concrete in colder weather are well established. Concrete can be damaged to such an extent that it is unfit for use, has lower strength development or reduced durability. Therefore, it is important that precautions are taken to ensure that the performance of the concrete is not unduly affected.

In this seminar, our highly experienced industry professionals will discuss the practical aspects of successfully placing concrete during cold weather. We will also look at the damage caused by freezing temperatures to fresh concrete.

This seminar will be of interest to all those involved in the planning and supervision of concrete construction. Main Contractors, Specialist Sub-Contractors, Site Supervisory Personnel, Local Authority Engineers, Consulting Engineers and Ready-mixed Concrete Producers will all benefit from attending.

Programme: 

10:00 Welcome
10:05 Introduction and General Overview | Alan Boyle, Punch Consulting Engineers
10:35 Design Options for Cold Weather Concreting | Colin Heffernan, Roadstone
11:05 Site Practice: Planning, Placing and Curing | Raymond Fee, John Sisk & Son
11:45 Break
12.55 Sampling and Testing |Neil Cooke, Mattest
12:15 Health and Safety Considerations in Cold Weather | Shane McDonnell, PJ Hegarty & Sons
12:45 Questions and Answers
13:00 Ends

Fees: 

  • ICS / Concrete Society (NI) Members: €95 pp
  • Non-member Normal: €145 pp

Pushing Boundaries: Efficient Design and Construction to Reduce Carbon in Concrete

Venue: Online

Reducing carbon in concrete requires not only changes in the material’s manufacture but also smart, well-coordinated and efficient design and construction decisions. With no single strategy available to achieve this, innovative approaches are needed in the way in which projects are designed and built.

This joint seminar with Engineers Ireland will provide practical information and guidance on optimising design and construction decisions to aid in reducing carbon associated with the use of concrete. Our industry professional and expert speakers will cover important details from helping clients understand and minimise impacts to smarter design and construction processes which can lead to reduced embodied carbon emissions. A case study on efficiencies achieved in the steel industry will also be presented.

This seminar will be of particular interest to Design and Consulting Engineers, and Main Contractor Engineers involved in the design, specification and supervision of construction. Site Engineers, Sub- Contractors, Ready-mixed and Precast Concrete Producers will also benefit from attending.

Fees: 

  • ICS / EI Members Early Bird: €95 pp
  • Non-member Early Bird: €195 pp
  • ICS / EI Members Normal: €145 pp
  • Non-member Normal: €245 pp

Programme: 

10:00 Welcome | Irish Concrete Society
10:05 Client Choices | Adela Tablas, Arup
10:35 Smarter Processes | TBC
11:15 Break
11:30 What Can You Do Better in Design? | Paul Astle, Ramboll
12.10 Leaner Construction | Keith O’Flynn & Joe Gartlan, John Sisk & Son
12:40 Efficiencies Case Study from the Steel Industry | Tony Woods,
Midland Steel
13:10 Questions and Answers
13:30 Ends

Entry to our 42nd Annual Awards is now open

Established in 1977, our prestigious Annual Awards are a celebration of excellence in design and construction in concrete.
Adjudicated by independent and distinguished juries of construction industry professionals, our Awards acknowledge construction achievements in which concrete, in any form, contributes significantly to the built environment.

The winning projects will be announced at our Annual Awards and Dinner Evening taking place on Saturday 29th March 2025 in the Clayton Hotel, Burlington Road

Read More

Fundamentals of Concrete Technology

Starting 3rd September 2024

Covering essential information, this three half-day hybrid course suitable for all those involved in the production, design, and supervision of concrete will cover essential information to enable better understanding and knowledge of  the most used construction material in the world.

Laboratory Session: 3rd September 2024, 10am to 6pm*, UCD Lab

*90 min group sessions with staggered starts and finishes

Lecture Session 1: 10th September 2024, 10am to 1pm, Online

  1. Concrete Constituents
  2. Concrete Mix Design
  3. Specifying, Ordering, Delivery and Acceptance
  4. Fresh Concrete Properties

Lecture Session 2: 18th September 2024, 10am to 1pm, Online

  1. Formwork, Pre-pour Checks, and Placing
  2. Compaction and Finishing
  3. Curing and Strength Gain
  4. Concrete Defects
  5. Testing Hardened Concrete

Email: events@concrete.ie to book