At a recent ASCE chapter meeting, the Director of Engineering of the Gulfport Port Authority gave a presentation on various projects related to the Port. I mention this because PCI recently formed a Ports and Marine Committee to support the growing interaction with ports and other facilities in the marine environment. Anyone living along the coast understands how destructive (and beautiful) a water environment can be, and the amount of infrastructure it takes to build in this environment.
One aspect that surprised me the most about the presentation was the amount of work the port gives to the local community (design consultants, construction, and employment) and the state where it resides. For example, $ 114.8 million in state and local taxes are paid annually, and over the last three projects, $ 91 million has been paid to local engineering, geotechnical, and consultant firms. This doesn’t even account for employment and infrastructure development that is needed for local commerce. This figure provides a small insight into the impact a major storm like Katrina can have on the ports along the Gulf Coast. We must ensure that design and construction meet these growing challenges as the newly formed Ports and Marine Committee embarks in this new territory.
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General Technologies, Inc.
General Technologies Inc. is an industry-leading manufacturer of components and equipment used in precast concrete and post-tensioning operations. With a focus on innovation and quality, GTI continues to accelerate the industry to new levels of performance, efficiency and safety through rigorous R&D and advances in automation. With over 500,000 sq. ft. of state-of-the-art production and distribution space, GTI delivers prestressing systems, post-tensioning jacks, reusable strand chucks, and composite chairs for precast applications. They customize solutions to fit the unique demands of any type of post-tensioned concrete project.
Precast Content We Think You Might Like!
Free Webinar: Precast Concrete and Sustainable Building Performance
Precast and prestressed concrete systems offer architects a proven path to sustainable building performance by delivering climate-ready resilience, long-life performance, and lifecycle efficiency. This presentation examines precast concrete through a first-principles, performance-based lens; connecting its inherent material and system attributes to contemporary sustainability and resilience goals.
PCIGS Project Profile: Cameron Parish School District Warehouses
Exactly one mile from the coast, where Hurricane Delta made landfall, are the Cameron Parish School District warehouses. Precast concrete walls and standing-seam metal roofs characterize both pre-engineered metal buildings. The new buildings stand in place of the earlier warehouse that Hurricane Rita destroyed.
PCGS Blog: Precast Concrete Architectural Diversity in the Gulf South
The architecture of the Gulf South is a dynamic fusion of styles with a long, rich history of various influences and environmental considerations. Because of the region's architectural diversity, robust and adaptable building materials are required to keep the buildings standing for decades. The perfect answer for meeting these various architectural needs is precast concrete, which allows architects and builders to alter designs to suit the unique structural, aesthetic, and sustainability requirements of the Gulf South.
Boost Your Expertise Over Lunch with PCI!
Take a break, grab your lunch, and power up your knowledge! PCI’s Learn at Lunch sessions offer architects and engineers a convenient, one-hour deep dive into key topics like precast concrete hollow-core floors and walls, architectural precast, parking structures, GFRC, high-performance precast, and more. Perfectly designed for a conference room or classroom setting, these sessions make it easy to stay current, sharpen your skills, and discover innovative solutions—all without missing a beat in your busy day.
2026 PCI Convention
The Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute held its annual Convention February 2nd through the 6th in Kansas City, MO. As is customary, PCI holds its committee sessions at the start of the event and eventually phases into the Precast Show and other events.
One memorable event was Project Precast. This year, 8 teams went head-to-head vying for the overall winner in the design and construction of a parking structure. Congratulations to team Metromont, who placed first as the overall winner. I would also like to congratulate Imran Jebarah from Auburn University (construction management program) on being a part of the winning team. Auburn had another student, Carolina Triboni, who was a part of Team FDG. It is nice to see the Gulf Coast region being so well represented!
Another highlight of the convention was the awarding of the Medal of Honor to Rita Saradarian. Rita, a past Executive Director for PCI Northeast, was very instrumental within the transportation community. Rita spearheaded the development of the NEXT Beam! Congratulations!
And if you ever get to Kansas City, be sure to also check out the WW I museum. It’s about a two-hour tour, but it's worth every minute. Next year, the Precast Show and Convention will be in Salt Lake, UT. See you there!
ASCE Alabama Winter Meeting
The Alabama Section of ASCE held its Winter Meeting in Mobile, AL, on February 26th at the National Maritime Museum of the Gulf. The majority of the agenda topics focused on issues within Mobile and the surrounding counties.
The meeting started with an address from the city of Mobile Mayor Cheriogotis on the construction developments within the city of Mobile. Mayor Cheriogotis was followed by Lee Kawson and David Rogers with the Baldwin Alliance and Mobile Chamber of Commerce, reporting on the upcoming economic development within the surrounding counties.
A particular highlight of the meeting was the presentation by Mobile Port Authority Engineer Marcus Coleman, who covered the port's ongoing and upcoming projects, including the container storage facility in Montgomery. As an event that is always well attended, it was great to talk to some new and old acquaintances at the meeting.
PCI will start accepting submissions for the 2027 PCI Design Awards on March 31, 2026! The PCI Design Awards program recognizes design excellence and construction quality using precast concrete. Don't miss this opportunity to share your outstanding precast concrete projects.
CFA Quality Control School - Online
April 13-16, 2026
PCI’s Student Education Committee is inviting entries from students and faculty advisors to participate in PCI’s Spring 2026 Design Precast Competition. Students will be challenged to explore innovative uses of architectural precast enclosure systems in structural, sustainable, and artistic ways.
2027 PCI Deisgn Award Submission Site Opens March 31, 2026
The Certified Field Auditor (CFA) program is a practical presentation of industry standards, issues, and expectations that certifies individuals to audit erection crews. It provides a unique opportunity to interface with peers to discuss common issues and share solutions and successes.
PCI Design Precast Architectural Competition Applications Due by May 8, 2026
ASPIRE - Winter 2026
Discover the latest issue of ASPIRE and explore how precast is being used across the country for bridge projects of all sizes. Read through studies highlighting concrete bridge technology and get insights from professors and engineers alike on the future of precast in bridge design.
Highlights from the Winter 2026 issue includes:
ASPIRE Begins Its 20th Year
U.S. Route 181 Harbor Bridge: Creating a New Coastal Icon for South Texas
Editorial: AI Bridge Design and Construction?
A Professor's Perspective - Teaching Students to Read and Interpret Construction Specifications and Drawings
PCI Journal - January/February 2026, Connections
Discover the latest issue of the PCI Journal and explore cutting-edge research shaping the future of precast concrete.
Dive into peer-reviewed studies examining performance, strength, and design from seismic resilience and innovative precast systems. Gain insights from leading engineers and researchers as they advance the way precast structures are designed and built.
Highlights from the January/February 2026 issue includes:
Shear strength of cast-in connectors in ultra-thin, ultra-high-performance-concrete panels
Framework for analyzing the flexural resistance function of a precast concrete insulated wall panel
Simplified load-deflection behavior of cracked prestressed concrete beams
PCI Gulf South Events
2026 Productivity Tour
May 5-7, 2026
Norfolk, VA
PCI Gulf South Spring Meeting
April 16-18, 2026
Lake Charles, LA