WASHINGTON, D.C.  – The International Code Council and Austin, Texas-based Fiatech have completed the Proof-of-Concept (POC) phase of the AutoCodes Project initiative. The AutoCodes Project seeks to employ automated code checking technology and Building Information Models (BIM) to help speed up and improve consistency in the building code and approval process. BIMs are complex databases containing detailed design and construction information that can be rendered visually in three dimensions, and checked very quickly using logical, machine language (software) rules that emulate building codes.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Constrained public budgets and a growing recognition at the local level of the importance of infrastructure – combined with lack of action at the federal level – are causing states, regions and cities across the U.S. to seek innovative infrastructure approaches and solutions. Local governments are utilizing a range of strategies, including ballot measures taken directly to the public, increased utilization of technology and pricing, and public-private partnerships, according to Infrastructure 2012: Spotlight on Leadership, released today by the Urban Land Institute (ULI) and Ernst & Young LLP.

WHITTIER, Calif. – ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) Environmental Programs is announcing the launch of a new program, the Environmental Product Declaration (EPD) Program.

MADRID – This new structure type, Holedeck, allows for a cheaper and more sustainable way to build. It saves about 40cm in height every floor and as a result it also makes savings on the quantities needed for facades and partition walls. It is especially suitable for sustainable facilities such as solar energy.

PLEASANTON, Calif. – Simpson Strong-Tie is proud to announce its sponsorship of the International Code Council Foundation’s (ICCF) 2012 Building Safety Month. Simpson Strong-Tie is supporting Building Safety Month as a gold-level sponsor and is encouraging the industry to join the “I Support” campaign.

FARMINGTON HILLS, Mich. – The American Shotcrete Association (ASA) is proud to announce the recipients of the 7th Annual Outstanding Shotcrete Project Awards. This announcement coincides with the release of the annual awards issue of Shotcrete Magazine.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Development and construction of commercial real estate – office, industrial and retail buildings – rebounded in 2011, the first year to post gains since the recession began in 2007, according to a report, How Office, Industrial and Retail Development and Construction Contributed to the U.S. Economy in 2011, released today by the NAIOP Research Foundation.

ATLANTA, Ga. – Micron Optics, Inc., the leading provider of innovative equipment for fiber optic sensing, today announces results of a state of the art Micron Optics structural monitoring system for post-tensioned tendons in a concrete containment structure on an operational nuclear power plant. This pilot program was integrated at the Robert E. Ginna Nuclear Power Plant in New York through collaboration between the US Department of Energy (DOE), Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI), Lucius Pitkin, Inc., and (Constellation Energy Nuclear Group) CENG.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Safe communities don’t happen by chance. Safe communities are the result of dedicated professionals who use codes and standards, science, and years of experience and learning to ensure public safety in the buildings where people live, work, learn and play. If you know an exemplary individual or group whose contributions to building safety, code enforcement, public service, community service or fire prevention are commendable, nominate them for an International Code Council award.

CYPRESS, Calif. – Putting an end to a decade-old patent litigation brought by Ultimax, Hassan Kunbargi, Heartland Cement Sales Company and the K.A. Group against CTS Cement Manufacturing Corporation (“CTS”), manufacturers of Rapid Set Cement, its Chairman Edward K. Rice, and a number of CTS customers, the Honorable Andrew J. Guilford of the U.S. District Court for the Central District of California ruled that Rice and CTS have a shop right in the patent they allegedly infringed.

TACOMA, Wash. – APA Designers Circle, a new educational resource for architects, engineers, builders andbuilding code officials, is now available at www.apawood.org/DesignersCircle. The free, subscription-based program is a one-stop online resource center offering timely technical information and recommendations for wood-frame design and construction systems, along with news, industry events and links to a range of product and design recommendations.

ARLINGTON, Mass. – Infrasense Inc., a leading provider of subsurface detection and non-destructive test services in the evaluation of civil engineering infrastructure, is pleased to announce its 25th anniversary! Since opening its doors in 1987, Infrasense has specialized in applying Ground-Penetrating Radar (GPR), Infrared Thermography (IR), and Ultrasonic techniques, for assessing condition and characterizing the as-built environment of different infrastructure facilities. Infrasense designs, develops, and implements nondestructive evaluation and subsurface measurement programs specifically tailored for the needs of its clientele.

BOSTON – The Boston Harbor Islands Pavilion and Levitt Pavilion SteelStacks projects by Simpson Gumpertz & Heger Inc. (SGH), a national engineering firm that designs, investigates, and rehabilitates structures and building enclosures, captures Silver Awards from the American Council of Engineering Companies of Massachusetts’ (ACEC/MA) Engineering Excellence Awards.

TULSA, Okla. – From the outside, the five-story multi-use building sitting at the University of California – San Diego looked like many others. This structure, however, is unique. On Tuesday, April 17 an earthquake shake test was performed in order to help researchers understand the impact of a seismic event and subsequent fire on the non-structural components and systems (NCS) inside. Researchers and product manufacturers from a variety of institutions and industries have worked together for the past six years on this landmark research project.

SCHAUMBURG, Il. – The Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI) has announced the winners of the 2012 CRSI Design Awards program. For almost 40 years the CRSI Design Awards program has honored excellence in reinforced concrete structures and acknowledged their designers. The CRSI Design Awards program is open to architects, engineers, contractors and fabricators – the entrants may be individuals or teams. Eligible structures must be located in the United States, Canada or Mexico.

New York, N.Y. – Multi-disciplinary engineering firm Buro Happold announced that it is providing structural engineering services for the Beach and Howe mixed-use tower in Vancouver; Buro Happold is design engineer, working in collaboration with local engineer of record, Glotman Simpson. The structure meets the challenge of stabilizing a tall building whose mass is at its top – and making it safe in a high seismic zone. The 49-story building, designed by BIG-Bjarke Ingels Group, combines 653,890-sq.-ft. of residential, retail, and commercial space in an urban complex at the entrance to the Granville Street Bridge.

Revisions to the 2012 I-Codes are prompting numerous ICC Evaluation Service (ICC-ES) report holders to update their ICC-ES evaluation reports and listings. Not only will this allow the manufacturers to hold evaluation reports and PMG listings that are compliant to the most recent codes, but it will also provide code officials, designers, architects, engineers and others in the building industry with products they feel confident in approving or specifying.

DUBAI, UAE – With the newly developed "Life Cycle Analyzer" BASF helps to improve concrete characteristics. The special software offers solutions in major concrete improvement areas like process efficiency, energy reduction, material optimization, and enhanced quality specifications for manufacturers and users of concrete.

RESTON, Va. – With storm season upon most of the country, homes and other buildings made of genuine clay brick have shown superior performance in extreme weather conditions – reducing property damage and increasing survival odds during recent disasters. Studies show that brick outperforms competitive exteriors in wind resistance, moisture resistance, seismic strength, its resistance to wind-blown debris and has a minimum one-hour fire rating by itself – unlike its competitors that need to incorporate fire-resistant materials in their wall systems.

CHARLOTTE, N.C. – Hanson Brick, one of North America’s largest brick manufacturers, in partnership with Applosophy, a mobile application development company, announced today the launch of the My Hanson Brick mobile application for the iPad. My Hanson Brick is available for download via the Apple Store and is designed to help builders, distributors, architects and homeowners with their brick cladding needs. Users will be able to view the Hanson Brick catalog, find homes, offices, and other buildings using specific Hanson Brick products, view their selections and map directions directly on their iPad to visit the sites and see a particular brick style on a project. An iPhone version of the app is expected by late May.