Source: David Fritchen, 785-532-5964, dfritch@k-state.edu
News release prepared by: Megan Molitor, 785-532-3452, molitor@k-state.edu

Monday, June 27, 2011

CEMENTING A FUTURE: STUDENTS EARN CERTIFICATION FROM THE AMERICAN CONCRETE INSTITUTE

MANHATTAN -- Three Kansas State University construction science and management students worked to construct their futures by receiving their Tilt-Up Concrete Technician Certification.

Derek Timler, Leawood, Klayton Wilk, Topeka, and Matthew Plummer, Westmoreland, all seniors in construction science and management at K-State, took the examination during finals week in May. They recently received notice that they had earned their certification, administered through the American Concrete Institute.

The students earned the certification by demonstrating an understanding of overall on-site administrative and technical management for producing tilt-up projects and by passing the concrete institute's written examination, according to David Fritchen, professor and head of K-State's department of architectural engineering and construction science.

Fritchen said the course, which is taught by Kimberly Kramer, associate professor of architecture engineering and construction science, offers the exam for certification as an option to students who wish to pay a fee to become certified. For those who choose to do so, it may give them a leg up in their future careers.

"It's a way to bring further recognition for professional construction careers in the companies they will eventually work for," Fritchen said.

K-State has helped to triple the number of technicians in Kansas throughout the last several years, Fritchen said, as well as helped to certify the first two female tilt-up concrete technicians in the nation.

Tilt-up construction is a construction technique that uses concrete panels that are tilted from horizontal to vertical position using a crane.

Fritchen said the Tilt-Up Technician Certification program requires knowledge in many areas of tilt-up construction, including: plan reading, scheduling, site preparation and foundations, slabs on grade, layout, erection, forming, concrete properties and placement.

"Construction companies that do this type of construction are required to have a certified technician on the job," Fritchen said. "These students will already have a leg up."

The three students used guides and manuals from the Tilt-Up Concrete and the American Concrete Institute as their primary technical resources for the certification program.