FAIRFAX, Va., Aug. 4, 1998 - Promoting the benefits of silica-fume concrete and increasing its usage in the United States for infrastructure building and repair are the goals of the new non-profit Silica Fume Association (SFA). Based in Fairfax, Va., SFA will educate engineers, specifiers, contractors and others in the construction industry about silica fume's benefits. These include increased durability, extended concrete life, reduced chloride permeability and increased strength for high-rise applications. Applications that can benefit from silica-fume concrete include bridges, marine applications and parking garages. The environment also benefits since less silica fume is being placed into the solid waste stream. "Silica fume has a very successful 20-year track record in the United States, but we feel that there still are many people who are not aware of the exceptional benefits that this admixture contributes to concrete or who are not yet experienced in using it," said Dr. Terence C. Holland, executive director of SFA. "We plan to address both of these areas through the association's activities." These activities include producing and distributing educational material and scientific, technical and statistical information about silica fume through traditional means as well as the organization's future Web site (www.silicafume.org). SFA also will conduct and support research and scientific inquiry into the use of silica fume as well as advocate activities that encourage the use of silica fume to decrease the solid waste stream. As executive director, Holland will oversee the organization's day-to-day technical activities and all promotional activities. He brings nearly 30 years of construction industry experience to the position, including serving as director of engineering for Master Builders, a consultant for concrete construction materials and practices and editorial director for Aberdeen's The Concrete Producer magazine. An active member of the American Concrete Institute, Holland is the past chairman of ACI Committee 234, Silica Fume in Concrete. He currently is chairman of the institute's Technical Activities Committee and is a member of the ACI Board of Direction. He also is a member of the American Society for Testing and Materials, the American Society of Civil Engineers and the Society of American Military Engineers. Mark B. Benedict, SFA's president, is responsible for the non-profit's administrative and legal activities. He also is president and founder of the Genesis Consulting Group, a government and international trade consulting firm. Tony Kojundic, business manager for Elkem Materials, and Jim Wolsiefer, director of business development and marketing for Norchem Concrete Products, serve as founding directors on the organization's initial two-member board. For more information about the Silica Fume Association, call 703-934-2937.
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