Messages from Chairman

In Japan, academic activities start in April. The Concrete Committee steps into a new stage this April. It’s my great honor to be the new Chairman of JSCE Concrete Committee.  In the last century, the design and construction of concrete structures was the most important purpose of concrete technology. Now we are in the century of maintenance and management of concrete structures. Concrete and concrete structures are essentially tough, beautiful, and durable, in other words, we should produce tough, beautiful, and durable concrete structures. The Concrete Committee is a leading board in Japan responsible for creating just such good concrete structures through design, construction, maintenance, and management.  The Concrete Committee is the most important committee for concrete technology in Japan. The fruits of the work of the Concrete Committee are published and spread worldwide for all to use. It’s the primary role of the Concrete Committee. I hope the overseas engineers will appreciate and use the fruits of our work. Currently, the Standard Specifications are being revised based on the concept of performance-based approach. The revised versions of the volumes for Design, Materials and Construction, Maintenance, Dam will be published this year. We would be very happy if you can make use our specifications.  Any comments, questions, criticism, or encouragement will be highly appreciated by the editors of the Newsletter. Toyoaki MIYAGAWA Chairman of JSCE Concrete Committee