Source: Brian A. Coon, 785-532-1573, bcoon@k-state.edu
Note to editors: Sarah Grotheer is a graduate of Pittsburg High School.
News release prepared by: Mary Rankin, 785-532-6715, mrankin@k-state.edu
Thursday, Dec. 6, 2007
K-STATE CIVIL ENGINEERING STUDENTS CERTIFIED AS CONCRETE INSPECTORS
MANHATTAN -- Four Kansas State University civil engineering students have passed the American Concrete Institute's Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade 1 program.
Joey Holste, senior, Ludell; and graduate students Sarah Grotheer, Manhattan; Jake Perkins, Westmoreland; and Patrick Sheedy, Yates Center, are now certified to perform testing on concrete in order to assure a quality product.
Sponsored by the University Transportation Center at K-State, the students first took a written exam, which they must score at least 70 percent correct. They were next required to perform actual physical tests on concrete samples and, in order to pass, could make no mistakes in the procedures. This portion of the certification included preparing samples for strength testing, determining air content and assessing fluidity of the concrete.
"Our entire infrastructure -- bridges, roads, foundations -- is built on concrete. It's critical that taxpayers receive the concrete they are paying for," said Brian A. Coon, director of the University Transportation Center. "We plan to offer the certification program to all of our civil engineering students, giving them practical, real-world skills to take to their employers."
Coon, a licensed civil and mechanical engineer, is also a certified American Concrete Institute instructor.
The University Transportation Center coordinates interdisciplinary transportation research, training and outreach efforts at K-State. More information on the center, a part of the department of civil engineering in the K-State College of Engineering, is available at http://transport.ksu.edu