John Kevern, assistant professor in the School of Computing and Engineering, has been named one of Concrete Construction magazine’s Most Influential People in 2012. Kevern, who received his M.S. and Ph.D. degrees in Civil Engineering from Iowa State University, has influenced how pervious concrete is specified and tested.“Kevern likens pervious concrete to a popular rice cereal and marshmallow treat,” according to the UMKC Public Relations press release. “But instead of satisfying a sweet tooth, his recipes for pervious concrete are reducing ice-related falls, creating undergraduate research opportunities and improving the environment.” Pervious concrete has little or no sand, compared to traditional concrete, and also has craters that gather rainwater, which allows the water to seep into the ground and reduce run-off. With less water accumulating on top of the concrete, that means … Read entire article »