Concrete Industry Management students at Alcatraz

This summer, the Concrete Industry Management program of the College of Engineering at California State University, Chico partnered with Golden Gate National Recreation Area to create the first CSU, Chico CIM Summer Field School on Alcatraz Island. Five select students from the CIM program began work on the project June 7, living in restored officers’ barracks in the Marin Headlands. They worked full time as National Park volunteers on Alcatraz Island throughout the 10-week internship, preserving and repairing deteriorated concrete structures, some of which date to the 1850s. As part of the program, Engrave- A-Crete Inc. was invited to offer its expertise on mechanical texturing of concrete (also known as engraving). Students used the Barracuda, one of the tools from Engrave-A-Crete’s KaleidoCrete system, to prepare a surface for patching. Then the Barracuda was used to alter the newly patched surface to match the texture of the historic concrete in the former prison. This opportunity has been funded by a cultural resources stewardship grant through the GGNRA and generous contributions by CIM patron supporters, including BASF Construction as a major sponsor. ? www.concretedegree.com

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