The Indian Chapter of American Concrete Institute (ICACI) organised the much-awaited R N Raikar Memorial International Conference in Mumbai at Hotel Hyatt Regency on 20 and 21 December 2013, to celebrate the untiring efforts of R N Raikar. The conference was focused on the advances made in the science and technology of concrete.

RN Raikar had been a source of unending inspiration for the ICACI right from the very inception of the chapter in 1979, till his untimely demise on 8 March 2008. American Concrete Institute (ACI) in its centennial year, conferred on him the highest individual honour of being an Honorary member of the institute in recognition of his countless years of service to concrete, the Institute and to the India Chapter, as also for his unlimited enthusiasm to ensure quality concrete and his faithful labour in support of international co-operation.

The inaugural conference of the event felicitated Dr. Surendra Shah. Several fellow practitioners in concrete, his students as well as their students, paid tribute to Dr. Shah´s Himalayan contribution in concrete and related material science for the last five decades, by participating in the ´Dr. Suru Shah Symposium on Advances in Science and Technology of Concrete.´ Dr. Shah is a renowned professor-cum-researcher from Northwestern University, Chicago, who has spearheaded the growth of several international universities to encourage scientific innovation in concrete.

The conference was inaugurated by Dr. Anne Ellis, President and Dr. Ron Burg, Executive Vice- President, ACI. The programme was extremely well received and both the halls were literally remained jampacked with more than 700 participants, distinguished engineers/technocrats from the Indian subcontinent and abroad.

ICACI indeed, is well recognised as a source of the latest knowledge and insights by the engineering and consulting fraternity in the construction world.

It was attended by experts from over 40 participating countries: USA, Canada, Germany, UK, France, Italy, Belgium, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Netherlands, Denmark, Ireland, Turkey, Australia, Russia, Israel, Japan, China, Singapore, Korea, and Brazil.

The conference had presentations made by 63 renowned international experts in the field of concrete and construction technologies.

At the event, ACI also presented an award to L and T Metro Rail (Hyderabad) for demonstrating effectiveness and distinction in the field of infrastructure development towards improving this significant professional field and thereby, society as a whole. The award was presented to VB Gadgil, Managing Director of Hyderabad Metro Rail by Anne Ellis.

´Indeed, it is an honour to receive this great award and with this recognition, my responsibility towards society and infrastructure development has increased manifold. I appreciate the American Concrete Institute for their efforts in improving the design, construction, maintenance of concrete structures,´ said Gadgil on receiving the award.

American Concrete Institute

ACI was founded in 1904 as a nonprofit membership organisation dedicated to public service and representing user interest in the field of concrete. ACI gathers and distributes information on the improvement of design, construction and maintenance of concrete products and structures.

The work of ACI is conducted by individual ACI members and through volunteer committees composed of both members and non-members.

Committee activities include the development of building codes and specifications; analysis of research and development results; presentation of construction and repair techniques, and education.

India Chapter of ACI

The Indian chapter is its 35th year and has around 2,000 members spread all over India, who actively participate in the Chapter Programme.

The Indian chapter, the largest ACI chapter, has received the Excellent Chapter award consecutively for the last 15 years.

The chapter is committed to train and propagate good concrete-making practices through seminars, demonstrations, workshops and competitions for the construction industry.