On April 22-23, Transportation Infrastructure Precast Innovation Center (TRANS-IPIC) brought together over 90 researchers, industry leaders, and students for the 2025 TRANS-IPIC UTC Workshop. The event, a collaboration with the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute of Illinois and Wisconsin (PCI-IW), aimed to bring together industry and research leaders and emphasize the importance of collaboration.
“We are looking at not only the current best practices, but also the future,” Professor Bassem Andrawes, TRANS-IPIC director and University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign structural engineering professor said.
Researchers from five universities – the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign, Purdue University, Louisiana State University, The University of Texas at San Antonio, and University at Buffalo – presented their innovative work on how machine learning can aid engineers in planning and strengthening their projects, how to strengthen 3D-printed concrete, prestressing techniques using shape memory alloys, and more.
Islam Radwan, a PhD candidate in civil engineering at the University of Texas at San Antonio, presented on research exploring the potential of organic microencapsulated phase change materials (PCMs) in precast concrete sidewalks to mitigate the Urban Heat Island effect. Samer Dessouky, PI of the project, said he valued the collaborative spirit of the event.
“I was particularly interested to explore several technologies that can easily be integrated into Precast,” he said. “This will open the road for more discovery with the guidance of experienced practitioners and professionals in the precast space.”
One of the highlights of the event was a tour of the Dukane Precast plant in Aurora, IL, allowing attendees to tour the facility’s advanced casting, quality control, and sustainable curing methods. A leader in combining ISO-certified quality management with state-of-the-art automation and lean manufacturing practices, the company focuses on sustainability, rapid project turnaround and custom engineering solutions. Adam Strickland, marketing manager for Dukane Precast, said the experience was a rewarding one.
“Watching industry peers engage with our team and ask thoughtful questions reaffirmed our commitment to transparency and collaboration in precast innovation,” he said.
Industry leaders also presented on innovative bridge projects going on in Florida and Illinois, making post-tensioning fibers more robust through epoxy and stainless steel, aesthetic finishes for concrete, advanced admixtures, and more.
Alvaro Aranguren, HDR senior bridge engineer, and Michael Lamont, HDR major bridges technical director, presented on their ongoing work constructing a bridge in downtown Miami. Featuring magnificent segmental arches, the bridge promises to use precast engineering techniques to create a signature structure of the city.
Aranguren said he valued the insight he gained from the event. “It gave us an insight on what the civil engineering academia research is currently working on,” he said.
Gary Courneya, plant operations manager for County Prestress and Precast, LLC., presented on a mile-long bridge his company constructed alongside Walsh Construction on Illinois Tollway I-294.
“I was impressed with the passion for our transportation industry by all attendees,” he said. “Through education, collaboration, and technological advancements, it is evident that the future of our transportation infrastructure is in great hands.”
TRANS-IPIC is a Tier 1 University Transportation Center (UTC) funded by the USDOT and is working to develop solutions for the transportation infrastructure challenges by innovating precast concrete related technologies that are durable, safe, and economic.