Northwest Cement Council is Growing

Seattle, Washington, February 1, 2022:  The Northwest Cement Council (NCC) is pleased to announce the appointment of Antara Choudhary as a Market Development Manager.

“We are most fortunate to have Antara as a member of our growing organization,” said Diane Warner, Executive Director of the Council.

“Antara brings a wealth of experience and knowledge about cement and concrete, which will be of enormous value in helping us to expand our network and to build a greater appreciation of their importance in today’s economy.”

A graduate of Oregon State University, where she completed her Ph.D. in Civil and Construction Engineering, she also has studied at Stanford University, where she received her Master of Science degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering, and the Indian Institute of Technology in Delhi, where she received a Bachelor of Technology degree in Civil Engineering.

Her doctoral studies focused on Portland Cement (PLC) where she researched the impacts of heat hydration, drying, shrinkage, and flexural strength. She has also studied the influence of PLC on the transport and durability properties of concrete. After three years of rigorous testing, this research led to the approval of PLC by CalTrans.

The Northwest Cement Council has launched a new website designed to be more engaging to key stakeholders and the general public, noted Diane Warner. “The knowledge base that Antara brings to the Council will help us to translate scientific data about the advantages of cement and concrete into messages that designers, engineers, construction companies, and operators of buildings and associated infrastructure will better understand”, she added.

“I am looking forward to new opportunities with the Northwest Cement Council”, said Choudhary.  “Working with the members of the Council, I will be able to translate my knowledge of the chemistry of cement and concrete into practical solutions that are of growing importance as we strive to lower the carbon footprint of the built environment.”

Antara will be based in Seattle, but her work will extend throughout the Pacific Northwest.

About the Northwest Cement Council

The Northwest Cement Council (NCC) represents the four largest cement companies operating cement grinding and manufacturing facilities in Oregon and Washington. Our members include CalPortland, Ash Grove Cement, Lehigh Hanson, and the LafargeHolcim United States. Together we promote, protect and advocate the use of cement and concrete solutions in resilient, economical and environmentally responsible construction in the Pacific Northwest. Follow the activities of the Council via our website (nwcement.org/), on LinkedIn, and Twitter (@nwcement).

PRESS RELEASE: Portland Cement Association Grant

Portland Cement Association Grant
Portland Cement Association Grant Group


FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
:

PULLMAN, Wash. – A Portland Cement Association grant to improve cement testing methods has been presented to Washington State University researcher Somayeh Nassiri.

Nassiri, assistant professor in the Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, and her fellow researchers hope to improve the efficiency of durability testing methods for concrete by using embedded sensors to measure concrete permeability.

Unlike traditional testing methods that are conducted on cast specimens on certain test dates, embedded sensors can provide real-time and continuous data. The long-term goal of the research is to improve the durability of concrete infrastructure against road salt and deicer application and freeze-thaw cycling in cold climate regions.

Nassiri has been at WSU since 2014. She conducts research on concrete pavement design, construction, repair and maintenance, concrete material characterization, and pavement performance monitoring using instrumentation and nondestructive testing.

The PCA is the premier policy, research, education and market intelligence organization serving America’s cement manufacturers. PCA promotes safety, sustainability and innovation in all aspects of construction, fosters continuous improvement in cement manufacturing and distribution, and promotes economic growth and sound infrastructure investment.

Contact: Tina Hilding, Communications Director, Voiland College of Engineering and Architecture, 509-335-5095, thilding@wsu.edu
Press Release: Somayeh Nassiri — $35.000 Cement Grant

 


Discover how the Northwest Cement Council can help you.