February saw the Chapter back at Cattlemens' Deck Room in Dixon.  We did a great job of filling up the room, enjoying the food, networking with industry professional and students, and learning about the Lab-to-Slab-to-Practice initiative.

The evening's program explored a research project being conducted by the University of California Pavement Research Center, presented by Associate Professor Somayeh Nassiri.  The project uses social behavioral models to assist in the development a comprehensive risk managememt framework for accelerating the adoption of low-carbon concrete into standard practice.  One key challenge is that adoption is too slow to meet sustainability goals.  The program hopes to develop a path forward by proactively identifying and managing risks in a timely and effective manner, with the end goal being to reduce the typical adoption timeline from over 10 years to just 2-5 years.  Alternative SCMs under evalution in the study include:  biomass ash, biochar, natural pozzolans, construction and demolition waste, ground glass, rapid set cements, and steel slag.

Somayeh's presentation was well received by those in attendance, who had many follow-up questions for her.  We sincerely hope to have her back for updates as the effort progresses through the Caltrans bureaucracy as a pilot project!

A huge thank you to everyone who attended and helped make this event a success! If you missed it, stay tuned for more exciting Chapter events coming soon.