BIM-M Initiative awards contract to Dr. Franca Trubiano of the University of Pennsylvania

Words: David Biggs
Dr. Franca Trubiano of the University of Pennsylvania has been awarded a contract from the BIM-M (BIM for Masonry Initiative). The work will include researching the range of masonry workflows that were used in the construction of Huntsman Hall, a signature masonry building at the University of Pennsylvania in Philadelphia. Her work will be part of the BIM-M Benchmark project and coordinated with similar work being performed at Georgia Institute of Technology.

BIM-M is an initiative of the masonry industry with major sponsorship from Masonry Contractors Association of America (MCAA), International Masonry Institute (IMI), International Union of Bricklayers and Allied Craftworkers (IUBAC) and National Concrete Masonry Association (NCMA) with assistance from the Charles Pankow Foundation.

For more information please contact David Biggs, P.E., S.E., BIM-M Program Coordinator via email at biggsconsulting@att.net or visit Masoncontractors.com.
Hot This Time of Year
July 2026

Yes, summer is hot; that is just how it is. Summer heat can have effects on many things, and as I get older, I realize there is usually something I can do to tolerate the hot days. We all know the obvious, and I am sure every one of us has that person who

The Walls We Build
July 2026

As masons, we spend our careers building walls. We build them with brick, block, stone, and mortar, and we take pride in making them straight, strong, and built to last. But over the years, I’ve learned there is another kind of wall we build—the walls we

Owen Heimbach
July 2026

This month, the MCAA had the pleasure of speaking with SkillsUSA First Place Winner Owen Heimbach, a young mason just starting out whose enthusiasm for bricklaying is truly contagious. His passion for the craft was evident throughout our interview.

Backfill Your Foundation
July 2026

I’ve been noticing an uptick in a very specific kind of application lately, and once you see the pattern, you can’t unsee it. The résumé usually reads like a family photo album. “Started helping my dad when I was 15.” “Worked summers, then full time.” “R