It is a good chance to introduce Asian Concrete Federation(ACF) to all
the members of Japanese Society of Civil Engineers. ACF is a gathering
organization for promotion of understanding of concrete technologies and
structures among Asian countries and neighboring region and is executing
work for unification of design concept. With rapid development of countries
in the Asian and neighboring region in recent decades, infrastructure development
is at the hub of economic and engineering activities. There is a growing
sense of co-operation between these countries particularly in the development
and construction sectors. These involve the sharing of expertise and experience.
The social, cultural, environmental and technological background of these
countries, though diverse, is different from that of their western counterparts.
Therefore, it is thought expedient to formulate a gathering organization
for discussion and information sharing of design, construction and maintenance
of concrete structures commensurate with the needs, practices and aspirations
of these countries. ACF is now formed with representatives of countries
in the Asian and neighboring region, and entrusted with the task of preparation
and maintenance of concrete structures as well as provisions of services
to the society through concrete structures.
The primary objectives of ACF are defined as follows:
- Initiation and support of international collaborative activities for development
of research and technology relating to various aspects of concrete and
concrete structures
- Dissemination of useful information on concrete and concrete structures by way of publications, conferences, symposia, workshops and/or seminars
- Promotion of updating and revising concrete codes/standards on structural design, materials, construction and maintenance through development of new knowledge to meet the latest needs
- Interaction with the members and keeping them aware of the activities of
the Federation
The scope of activities of ACF shall encompass all aspects of structural
concrete engineering including design, construction, materials, monitoring
and inspection, preservation, rehabilitation, and demolition of concrete
structures taking into consideration the technological, social, economical,
environmental, aesthetic and cultural aspects of countries in the Asian
and neighboring region. |
The main practical activities current and in-the-future include:
- Promotion of international standardization for test methods, guidelines and specifications of design, construction and maintenance
- Organization of international conferences
- Information dissemination through the Internet (e-newsletter and homepage)
- International collaboration on an advanced technology and hot topics
- Offer of an international engineering license
- Publication of an international journal
The years from 2005 to 2008 in which Professor Taketo Uomoto at the University
of Tokyo was served as the first and second president, could be characterized
as the “Cradle” period of ACF. The third term, from 2009 to 2010, can be
defined as “Growth period.” I, as the third President of ACF, am trying
to achieve some goals in my term of office:
- Extension of participating members including EC members, Representative
Members (RM), Corporative Members (CM) and Individual Members (IM). ACF
has currently 8 EC members, 11 RMs, 4 CMs and less than 70 IMs. The number
of member in each membership should be increased.
- Increase of constitutional budge for healthier Federation by receiving
the corresponding membership fee of new members.
- Increase of publication frequency of e-Newsletters. Currently, three issues are published on the homepage in each year since 2007
- The enhancement of Technical Group’s activity collaborating with ICCMC.
- Support for international conferences in Asia region, such as CECAR and
EASEC etc.
The first two presidential terms of ACF, the birth and growth of ACF, has
very strong relation with concrete delegates in Japan. In order to enhance
great success in achieving all the goals and keeping ACF moving forward,
the cooperation with JSCE as well as all of the members of ACF should be
very essential.
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