P3 Training Modules

From beginners to veterans, P3 offers learning opportunities for everyone.

**NOTE: P3 is for ACPA member only and attendees must be affiliated with a member company**

Learn the fundamentals of concrete pipe while gaining a better understand of the manufacturing, installation, and inspection process by taking the ACPA’s online 4 day P3 course. Consisting of three different modules spread out over four weeks, P3 empowers students with the ability to raise awareness about concrete pipe and precast to positively help influence the pipe selection process.

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2022 class dates – Registration is Closed

October 20th, 27th & November 3rd, 10th

Student Experience

Online Classes
With social distancing and travel restrictions spread across North America, the traditional P3 classroom has been shifted online! Although in a virtual setting, students will receive the same quality education from trained ACPA instructors. Leveraging a professional online learning platform to help host and facilitate the class, students will have a first-class distance learning experience equivalent to an in-person classroom.

Class Experience
The P3 classes combine both live sessions and independent online work that the student completes during the training time. Independent work includes short assignments, which incorporates videos, quizzes, and/or readings. The live session allows students to apply newly learned knowledge during the independent online work time.

Requirements
All students must have access to a computer with a webcam and a reliable computer connection in order to participate. Students need to come prepared learn, be set up in a distraction free environment, and plan on being an active participant.

Training Modules

Module 1 – Fundamentals (click to read more)

The P3 – Fundamentals course covers many important topics. It starts with a discussion about the rich history of the reinforced concrete pipe industry and the birth of the American Concrete Pipe Association in 1907. It then transitions into an overview on the most common storm pipe materials that are available and in use today – RCP, CMP, and thermoplastics. The course provides an in-depth look at the general differences between rigid and flexible pipe. It delivers a review of hydraulic design for storm drainage systems. The Fundamentals course incorporates pipe resiliency, durability and aggressive factors into the course. The Fundamentals course concludes with a walk-through basic design method utilized for both rigid and flexible pipe with insights into AASHTO LRFD requirements.

Module 2 – Manufacturing (click to read more)

The greatest strength of the precast concrete pipe and box culvert industry is its ability to manufacture durable products with a service life of more than 100 years. The quality of concrete pipe is a key factor that has contributed to its success and continued use. The quality is obtained from sophisticated facilities, processes, equipment, and knowledgeable people integrated under controlled conditions. All raw materials, coarse and fine aggregates, reinforcing steel, Portland cement, admixtures, and the mixing water routinely undergo quality control tests. Mix designs are developed to provide optimum strength and density, and actual proportioning is controlled by precision batching equipment. There are several different processes used to produce high quality concrete pipe. New and improved machines and methods are continually being developed. We will touch on the more commonly used production methods. We will look at the tests performed on the materials before production, as well as those typically required or suggested for concrete pipe. Making repairs to precast products takes both knowledge and skill. Just having a knowledge of the basic repair materials is not enough. It takes a combination of science and artistic ability to properly repair damaged concrete. We will discuss the materials required for repairs but the detailed techniques to be a successful finisher only comes with experience in the field. ACPA’s “Quality Cast” Plant Certification Program provides an industry‐wide quality control program to ensure superior production throughout the country. This course will wrap up with a review of the QCast program.

Module 3 – Installation & Inspection (click to read more)

Installation and Inspection focuses on the proper installation and inspection for pipe and box culverts. We start with Pre-Installation Inspection, which introduces the students to all the inspection milestones of the life of a storm Pipe. The student will gain a clear understanding of what issues they should expect to see in RCP and precast box culverts prior to installation. We then transition to proper pipe installation practices. A properly installed pipe should remain in service for 50 to 100 years with little or no repair. The focus of this section remains on promoting a solid understanding of installation, specifications, design requirements and material differences for pipe systems. We move back to inspection practices next but this time we focus on Post Installation Inspection (PII). The class highlights the need for completing PII, and why this step is of importance to the Engineer of record and the owner.

Example Student Schedule

8:00 – 8:30       Live Discussion/Introduction/Opener
8:30 – 9:45       Independent Work: Watch pre-recorded lectures, take a quiz, complete assignments
9:45-10:15        Live Discussion
10:15-11:30      Independent Work: Watch pre-recorded lectures, take a quiz, complete assignments
11:30-12:00      Live Discussion
12:00-12:30      Lunch
12:30-1:45        Independent Work: Watch pre-recorded lectures, take a quiz, complete assignments
1:45-2:15          Live Discussion
2:15-3:30          Independent Work: Watch pre-recorded lectures, take a quiz, complete assignments
3:30-4:00          Live Discussion

Available P3 Classes

October 2022

Additional sessions will be added over time. If you would like to be contacted or have a request, please fill out the form at the bottom of the page and we will get in contact with you.

Cost

$300 per attendee. This cost covers four days of P3 training and all three modules.

Who should register?

This training is designed for all personnel in the industry, sales, technical promotions, management, production, administrative, marketing and leadership. Whether you are experienced or just entering the industry, your participation will benefit everyone in the class.

How do I register?

Registration is available only to ACPA members and can be done by clicking the button below: Registration for Fall P3 is closed.

More P3 Information

If you have a question about P3, don’t see a class but would like to be contacted, or want to explore other options regarding P3, fill out the form below and we’ll have someone reach out to you soon.