CHICAGO, June 30, 2010 - The Expanded Shale, Clay and Slate Institute honored its 2010 Erskine Award recipient at the ESCSI Midyear Meeting held May 17-21, 2010 in Cleveland, Ohio. Each year, ESCSI honors individuals and/or companies who have made significant contributions to the lightweight aggregate industry through their leadership and dedication. This year's recipient joins that distinguished list.

The Frank G. Erskine Award is presented to individuals, companies, associations, partnerships, etc. outside the industry that recognize the unique properties of expanded shale, clay and slate and have demonstrated their use through design, promotion or implementation. Dr. Jason Weiss' ground-breaking research on using lightweight aggregate to provide internal curing of conventional and high performance Portland Cement concrete has earned him a place on the distinguished list of Frank G. Erskine Award recipients.

Dr. Weiss currently serves as Professor and Associate Head of the School of Civil Engineering at Purdue University. He received his Ph.D. at Northwestern University in 1999 and has since written numerous papers and performed research studies focusing on the fundamental behavior of Portland Cement-based materials and the link between material structure, properties and life cycle performance.

"It has been a pleasure to work with Dr. Weiss as he conducts research on internal curing. His excellent communication skills make a complex subject readily understandable. His insights during the research combine theoretical understanding with the practical applications for our industry. I speak for the entire ESCSI membership when I say that we enthusiastically welcome Dr. Weiss as the 2010 Erskine Award recipient," said Jack Spaulding of Hydraulic Press Brick Company.

About ESCSI
ESCSI is the international trade association for manufacturers of rotary kiln-produced expanded shale, expanded clay and expanded slate lightweight aggregate. ESCSI promotes the extensive use of rotary kiln-produced lightweight aggregate in the lightweight concrete masonry and structural lightweight concrete markets, as well as use in asphalt, geotechnical and other applications. Based on research and development, educational material is disseminated to all phases of the building industry. The association works closely with other technical organizations, ACI, ASTM, etc. to maintain product quality, life-safety and professional integrity throughout the construction industry and related building code bodies. For more information, please visit www.escsi.org or call (801) 272-7070.