Dig In Open House and Educational Seminars 

Join us for an open house at the Dakota Aggregates Campus with additional educational seminar opportunities! 

FOOD & REFRESHMENTS • SITE & FACILITY TOURS • TROLLEY TOURS • EDUCATIONAL SEMINARS •  QUESTIONS ANSWERED •

• Tour Wells Concrete, Cemstone, Dakota Aggregates, and Minnesota Paving & Materials facilities to earn AIA 1.0 HSW/LU, 1.0 PDH, 0.1 CEU

• Learn to operate heavy equipment using an innovative training simulator then test your skills by operating heavy mining equipment in the field

• Attend one or more of our precast concrete presentations to earn additional CE credits

• Indulge your taste buds in the latest mobile dining trend with food trucks from R.A. MacSammy's and Sasquatch Sandwiches

EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS

Attend one or more of the educational presentations offered throughout the day to learn how precast concrete can benefit your next project. Each Wells presentation qualifies for AIA 1.0 HSW/LU, 1.0 PDH, 1.0 CEU. All presentations will be located at the Education Tent on the Dig In Open House campus.

Before, after, or in between presentations, enjoy the festivities of the Dig In Open House.  

8:00 AM - 9:00 AM:  New Strides in Architectural Precast 
This presentation will discuss some new architectural finishes and features we are incorporating into our projects such as graphic concrete, terracotta, polishing, limestone and more.  In addition, a brief overview of the many standard finishes and features available with precast concrete will be discussed and the benefits to combining multiple finishes into single panels, embedded materials, selection of mix designs, approaches to achieving colors, proper specification, and procedures to ensure expectations are aligned.

Whatever your mind imagines, you can recreate it in precast concrete to make a stunning, iconic façade. The clearest advantage of architectural precast is found in the virtually limitless design potential that can be achieved with its use. Participants will learn how architectural precast concrete has quietly revolutionized the construction industry by creating a dramatic range of functionality and creative expression. Presenters: Rick Girard and Chas Jacobson

9:15 AM - 10:15 AM:   Lightweight Wall Panels & New Testing Results 
New advancements in precast concrete products are completely changing the design and construction worlds. Wells concrete continues to advance its research and develop efforts to create new and enhanced building efficiencies for our clients.  During this presentation, participants will learn about the benefits of light weight precast cladding panels vs other typical enclosure systems.  Review of panel production and installation will illustrate improvements in exterior enclosure quality and durability.  Discussion of modular construction methods will illustrate the schedule and cost benefits of prefabrication and how it helps ease the labor shortage pressure on jobsites.  An update will be provided on the ongoing testing of these enclosure systems.  Presenters:  Dan Stenzel and Ed Muehlberg

10:30 AM - 11:30 AM:  Building Innovatively with Precast Trusses 
In this case study, attendees will learn about a unique patented design that provides the answer to the age-old problem of designing mixed-use buildings. Long span trusses allow for parking, retail and living to be combined in one building with easy transitions from each. These spans provide complete flexibility in exterior cladding. Many possibilities in architectural precast cladding as well as full height glass exteriors are made possible with this system.  They also provide open area in tight floor-to-floor heights and as a fire resistant product, the system is ideal for mixed-use and hospitality. Presenters: Gary Pooley with Wells Concrete and Mike DeSuetter with ERA 

11:00 AM - 7:00 PM:  Wells Tours*

Plant Tour: Attendees will observe firsthand how designs and engineering details are executed in the precast manufacturing process. They will also observe the entire precast and prestressed manufacturing process from engineering and connections, forms set-up, and casting. Attendees will gain a better understanding of precast and prestressed capabilities and related quality issues while learning how precast fits within the entire building system and how to design with precast concrete accurately and safely.  

Mock-up Sample Building Tour: Attendees receive a guided tour of a 30’x10’ building that displays various finishes and features capabilities. The building is fully enclosed and comprised of eight different wall panels illustrating unique architectural finishes and features. Interior structural details include detailing for three common roofing systems: double tee roof members, bar joist roofing systems, and hollowcore roofing systems. Another exciting feature on display is the newly introduced preinstalled Integrity Windows by Marvin.

*Attend both tours above to earn one additional CE credit 

PARTNERSHIP EDUCATIONAL PRESENTATIONS

1:00 PM LATITUDE Performance Slab Solutions
Speaker: John D. Lee, P.E., Director of Business Development, Cemstone Products Company

1:30 PM Tour Dakota Aggregates 
Speaker: Mark Setterstrom, General Manager, Cemstone Aggregates

2:00 PM Tour Cemstone’s Ready Mixed Concrete Plant
Speakers: Lars Anderson, QA.QC Manager, and Brad Kreidermacher, Regional Manager, Cemstone and Andy Julius, Division Manager, BASF discuss admixtures, batching, and truck loading.

3:15 PM Live LATITUDE Slab Placement 
Speakers: John D. Lee, P.E., Director of Business Development and Nathan Hauser, Account Representative, Cemstone Products Company, Aaron Lamb, Business Development Manager, BASF and Shawn Norton, Met-Con Construction discuss slab placement, Cemstone supply, curing compounds, wet curing, and vapor retarders.

4:00 PM Slab Smashing
Speaker: Dan Vjotko, BASF explains the difference of variation in reinforced concrete.

5:00 PM Slab Finishing