Source: Kimberly Jones, kwildcat@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Rosie Hoefling, 785-532-6415, media@k-state.edu

Wednesday, April 14, 2010

K-STATE ARCHITECTURAL ENGINEERING STUDENT TAKES SECOND PLACE IN AN AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE INTERNATIONAL COMPETITION

MANHATTAN -- A Kansas State University architectural engineering student recently took second place in the American Concrete Institute's international pervious concrete competition.

Kimberly Jones, senior in architectural engineering, Arnold, Mo., received a plaque and a $300 award for her second-place finish in the competition. Jones was presented with the award at the recent American Concrete Institute's national convention in Chicago.

The competition consisted of two parts: creating a pervious concrete specimen and writing a sustainability report. Jones worked with a K-State team of civil engineers in further developing her specimen design that was permeable to water and stress resistant. She individually wrote the sustainability report outlining the benefits of using pervious concrete in everyday structures.

Jones said that pervious concrete is different from traditional concrete in that it contains few fine aggregates -- typically known as sand.

"The lack of fine aggregates creates voids in the concrete structure that can be penetrated by water," Jones said. "Due to its water-draining capabilities, pervious concrete is commonly used in low-traffic volume pavements, parking lots, sidewalks, etc., since water is unable to puddle on the surface."

Jones said that pervious concrete became an obsession with her when she first learned about the substance as a freshman. Since then, she has taken opportunities to research the different aspects of pervious concrete in other classes at K-State.

She hopes her success in the competition will help her gain funding and support to improve her mix design and report for next year's competition.

"Many people are unaware of pervious concrete, and the competition will help increase knowledge in education and the engineering field," Jones said. "Placing just proved what I have always believed: passion and hard work can lead to great things."