The P2P Initiative:

Performance-based Specs for Concrete

NRMCA Continuing Education Series

National Ready Mixed Concrete Association

All rights reserved

Announcement

This program is registered with the AIA/CES for

continuing professional education. As such, it does
not include content that may be deemed or construed
to be an approval or endorsement by the AIA of any
material of construction or any method or manner of
handling, using, distributing, or dealing in any material
or product.

Introduction

Continuing education for engineers and architects

Length of Presentation: 1 Hour
Architects Earn 1 LU
Engineers Earn 1 PDH
NRMCA is an AIA/CES Registered Provider
Records kept on file with NRMCA and AIA/CES Records

Outline

What is the P2P Initiative?

What is a Prescriptive Specification?
What is a Performance Specification?
What are the Benefits of P2P?
What Activities are Underway?
How to Specify Concrete using Current Codes?

What is the P2P Initiative?

Stands for Prescription-to-Performance

Initiative of the ready mixed industry through the NRMCA
Coordinated by P2P Steering Committee under the
NRMCA Research, Engineering and Standards
Committee
Members include technical representatives, product
suppliers, contractors, engineers, and architects

Why Performance?

Shifting Expertise to Concrete Producers

Reduce Conflicts in Specifications
Identify Roles and Responsibilities
Controlling Construction Cost (through optimization)
Meet Greater Demands on the Product (through
innovation)
Improving Quality Systems
Training and Certification Programs

Construction Cost Savings of P2P

Innovative construction means and methods

Improved construction schedules
More efficient structural designs
Simplified specifications and submittal process
Optimized mix designs

Innovative Technologies

High-Performance Concrete

High-Strength Concrete
Self- Consolidating Concrete

Improved Quality Systems

Testing Labs

Product Development

Material Handling

NRMCA Training and Certifications

Plant and Truck Certification

Plant Manager Certification
Concrete Technologist Certifications
Certified Delivery Professional (drivers)
Concrete Certified Sales Professional
Under development

Concrete technologist responsible for performance mixes

Concrete producer certification based on quality system

P2P Goals

Allow performance specifications as an alternative to current

prescriptive specifications
Leverage expertise of all parties to improve quality and reliability of
concrete construction
Assist architects/engineers to address concrete specifications in
terms of functional requirements
Allow flexibility on the details of concrete mixtures and construction
means and methods
Better establish roles and responsibilities based on expertise
Continue to elevate the performance level of the ready mixed
concrete industry
Foster innovation and advance new technology at a faster pace

What is a Prescriptive Specification?

Details mixture proportions and construction means and

methods
Do not always cover intended performance
May conflict with intended performance

Example: Low w/c for durability could increase thermal and

shrinkage cracking

Requirements are generally not directly enforceable

Producer held responsible for performance and defects,
even though he lacks the freedom to make changes
Prevents mixture optimization for performance
No incentive for quality control / batch uniformity

Prescriptive Specification
Intended Performance
Placing/Finishing
Strength
Min Shrinkage
Resistance To:

Freeze-Thaw
Corrosion
Sulfate attack
ASR
Cracking
Abrasion

Prescriptive Criteria
Slump
Max w/cm ratio
Min cement content
Min/max air
Min/Max pozzolans/slag
Blended cements
Aggregate grading
Source Limitations
Chloride Limits

Prescriptive Specification
Intended Performance
Placing/Finishing
Strength
Min Shrinkage
Resistance To:

Freeze-Thaw
Corrosion
Sulfate attack
ASR
Cracking
Abrasion

Prescriptive Criteria
Slump
Max w/cm ratio
Min cement content
Min/max air
Min/Max pozzolans/slag
Blended cements
Aggregate grading
Source Limitations
Chloride Limits

Some prescriptive criteria are required by code but

many are not

Prescriptive Specification Example

w/c ratio = 0.40

Min. cement = 600 pcy
Strength = 3500 psi
No SCM
Aggregate grading 8 18%
No reactive aggregate
Low alkali cement
Shrinkage = 0.04% max

No cracking
No curling
Slump 5 1 inch
Setting time 4 0.5 hrs
Max temp 85 F
Impermeable
Uniform color

Example: Water Cement Ratio

Air

Air
Water
Cement

Paste

Water
Cement

w/cm alone does not control strength

Source: ACI 211

w/cm alone does not control permeability

Source: ACI 232, 233, 234

What is a Performance Specification?

Performance requirements of concrete

Focus on performance and function

Assignment of responsibility
Flexibility to adjust mixture ingredients and proportions to
achieve consistent performance

Hardened state for Service (meeting owners requirements)

Plastic state for Constructability (meeting the contractors
requirements)

Changes in weather conditions

Changes in materials

Measurable and enforceable

Defined test methods and acceptance criteria

How would it work?

Qualification requirements would be established for

producers
Performance criteria would be specified by the A/E
Contractor would partner with producer to establish
constructability criteria
Submittal will demonstrate compliance with specified
requirements
Compliance through pre-qualification tests and limited
jobsite acceptance tests

Who Benefits from P2P?

Owners
Engineers/Architects
Concrete Contractors
Concrete Producers

Benefits to Owners from P2P

Improved quality
Improved performance
Reduced construction time
Reduced cost
Higher confidence in concrete construction
Innovative solutions

Benefits to Engineers/Architects

Focus on function rather than composition

Simplified submittal review

Improved product consistency
Reduced conflict with contractor/producer
Reduced risk

Strength, Durability, Shrinkage, etc.

Producer responsible for concrete mix design

Innovative solutions

Benefits to the Contractors

Improved communication / coordination

Constructability requirements addressed
Predictable performance
Innovate on construction means and methods

Benefits to Concrete Producers

Eliminates conflicts in specifications

Improved clarity in what needs to be furnished
Encourages innovation
Rewards investment in quality control
Allows optimization of mixtures for performance
Allows adjustment of materials/proportions to
compensate for changes in materials and weather
Provide innovative products

What are the Challenges?

Acceptance of Change
Trust / Credibility
Knowledge Level (training)
Reference Codes and Specifications

Prescriptive limitations

Measurement and Testing

Reliability of existing tests

Reliability of jobsite tests

What Activities are Underway?

Communication
Engineers, Architects, Contractors, and Producers
Articles and presentations

Developing Producer Quality System / Qualifications

Developing Model Spec / Code Revisions
Look at model codes from other countries (Canada, Europe, Australia)
Look at similar initiatives in the US (FHWA and DOTs)

Documenting Case Studies

Conducting Research
Test Methods for Performance
Quantifying differences between prescriptive and performance mixes

Delivering Training Programs

How to Specify Concrete Using Current Codes

Objective: Minimize prescriptive requirements

Comply with ACI 318 Chapter 3, 4 and 5
Example: 3 story concrete building with first level parking

Structural slabs, beams, and columns

Slabs-on-grade (parking)
Foundation walls
Footings
Freezing and thawing (with deicing chemicals)
Soils contain sulfates (severe)

Unusual to have freeze-thaw and sulfate exposure

Yellow
Items in
are comments
Most concrete does not require prescriptive criteria

Classes of Concrete for the Project

Class

Application

Exposure

Strength, fc

Slabs and beams

None

4,000 psi

Columns

None

5,000 psi

Slabs on grade,
Foundation walls

Freeze/Thaw,
Deicing Chemicals,
Sulfate (severe)

4,500 psi

Footings

Sulfate (severe)

4,500 psi

Class 1 and 2 strength is governed by structural design requirements

Class 3 and 4 strength is governed by durability requirements

Part 1 - General

1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6

RELATED DOCUMENTS
SUMMARY
DEFINITIONS
SUBMITTALS
QUALITY ASSURANCE
DELIVERY, STORAGE, AND HANDLING

Submittals

Submit field or laboratory test records for each class of

concrete to demonstrate concrete will meet:

Required average compressive strength

Other specified requirements in section 2.12

Test data should meet the following requirements

Test data from concrete supplied from the same production

facilities proposed for the work
Test data from concrete mixtures containing similar materials
proposed for the work

Submittals (contd)

Submit properties of mix design for each class of concrete including:

Specified compressive strength, c

Documentation of strength test results indicating the standard deviation
Required average compressive strength, cr
Average compressive strength of proposed mixture
Placement method
Slump or slump flow
Air content
Density
w/cm ratio
Maximum aggregate size
Sources and designations of ingredient materials

Some properties will be specified and others will be selected by

producer and contractor
Slump is one example. Slump should not be specified but selected
by the contractor and producer since this is means and methods

Submittals (contd)

Submit documentation indicating installer, manufacturer,

and testing agency meet the qualifications specified in
Section 1.5 Quality Assurance.

Quality Assurance

Installer Qualifications:

On-site supervisor of the finishing crew who qualified as ACI Certified

Concrete Flatwork Technician for flatwork placing and finishing.

Flatwork finisher certification is important for constructing slabs

General standard of care of concrete construction is addressed in
this certification program

Quality Assurance (contd)

Manufacturer Qualifications:
NRMCA Certified Ready Mixed Concrete Production Facility
NRMCA Concrete Technologist Level 2

NRMCA certified concrete production facilities demonstrate

compliance with requirements of ASTM C 94
Includes an annual certification of delivery vehicles
The NRMCA Concrete Technologist Level 2 Certification validates
personnels knowledge of fundamentals of concrete technology
including mixture proportioning.
Certification is obtained by passing a 90 minute exam administered
by NRMCA with ACI Grade 1 Field Testing Technician Certification
as the prerequisite.
Details available at www.nrmca.org/certifications .

Quality Assurance (contd)

Testing Agency Qualifications:

Meet the requirements of ASTM C 1077.
Field testing: ACI Concrete Field Testing Technician Grade I.
Lab testing: ACI Concrete Strength Testing Technician or ACI Concrete
Laboratory Testing Technician Grade I.
Test results for the purpose of acceptance shall be certified by a
registered design professional employed with the Testing Agency.

Concrete testing is very sensitive to the way specimens are

collected, cured, and tested. Proper field and lab procedures are
essential to achieving meaningful results.

Quality Assurance (contd)

Pre Installation Conference:

Require representatives of each entity directly concerned with cast-inplace concrete to attend, including:
Architect
Structural Engineer
Contractor
Installer (Concrete Contractor)
Pumping Contractor
Manufacturer (Ready-mixed concrete producer)
Independent testing agency

NRMCA and American Society of Concrete Contractors has a

document titled Checklist for the Concrete Pre-Construction
Conference that can be used as a guide

Part 2 - Products

2.1 MANUFACTURERS
2.2 FORMING MATERIALS
2.3 STEEL REINFORCEMENT
2.4 REINFORCEMENT ACCESSORIES
2.5 CONCRETE MATERIALS
2.6 WATERSTOPS
2.7 VAPOR RETARDERS
2.8 FLOOR AND SLAB TREATEMENTS
2.9 CURING MATERIALS
2.10 RELATED MATERIALS
2.11 REPAIR MATERIALS
2.12 CONCRETE MIXTURES

Concrete Materials

Cementitious Materials:

Use materials meeting the following requirements with limitations

specified in Section 2.12.
Hydraulic Cement: ASTM C 150 or ASTM C 1157 or ASTM C 595
Fly Ash: ASTM C 618
Slag: ASTM C 989
Silica Fume: ASTM C 1240

Avoid listing brand names for most materials in this section if a

standard for the product already exists.
Many existing standards are performance-based.
Avoid limiting the type or quantities of cementitious materials that
can be used unless required for certain performance attributes as
listed in Section 2.12 Concrete Mixtures.

Concrete Materials (contd)

Normalweight Aggregate: ASTM C 33

Water: ASTM C 1602
Fibers: ASTM C 1116

Concrete Materials (contd)

Chemical Admixtures:
Air Entraining: ASTM C 260
Water reducing, accelerating and retarding: ASTM C 494
Admixtures for flowing concrete: ASTM C 1017
Admixtures with no standard designation shall be used only with the
permission of the design professional when its use for specific
properties is required.

Avoid limiting the type of admixtures that can be used unless there
is a specific reason (eg. Chloride based admixtures for corrosion).
Consider specifying or allowing the use of admixtures which do not
have a specific ASTM designation with appropriate documentation
indicating beneficial use to concrete properties.
These include colors, viscosity modifying admixtures, hydration
stabilizing admixtures, pumping aids, anti-freeze admixtures, etc.

Concrete Mixtures

Prepare design mixtures for each class of concrete on

the basis of field test data or laboratory trial mixtures, or
both according to ACI 318, Chapter 5.
Design mixtures shall meet the requirements listed in
Table 2.12.

Concrete Mixtures (contd)

Table 2.12 Concrete Mixtures

Exp.

Nom.
Max.
Agg.
Size1

Slabs and
beams

None

4,000
psi

3/4

N/A

N/A

See section
2.5 A

Columns

None

5,000
psi

3/4

N/A2

N/A

See section
2.5 A

Slabs on
grade,
Foundation
walls

Freeze/Thaw,
Deicing
Chemicals,
Sulfate
(severe)

4,500
psi

1-1/2

5-1/2 %3

0.45

Limits on
cement4,
No calcium
fly ash, slag,
chloride
and silica
admixtures
fume5

Footings

Sulfate
(severe)

4,500
psi

1-1/2

N/A

Class

App.

Max.
w/cm
by
weight

Cementitious
Materials

Admix.

Max. water
sol. Cl ion in
conc., % by
wt of cement

See
section
2.5 D

1.00

See
section
2.5 D

1.00

Air
Content

0.45

Limits on
hydraulic
cement4

No calcium
chloride
admixtures

Provide a schedule of concrete classes of the structure including a

description of exposure.
Provide limits on materials based on Chapter 3 and 4 of ACI 318

0.15

0.30

Concrete Mixtures (contd)

Table 2.12 Concrete Mixtures

Class

App.

Exp.

Nom.
Max.
Agg.
Size1

Slabs
and
beams

None

4,000 psi

3/4

N/A2

N/A

See section See section

2.5 A
2.5 D

1.00

Columns

None

5,000 psi

3/4

N/A2

N/A

See section See section

2.5 A
2.5 D

1.00

Air
Content

Max.
w/cm by
weight

Cementitious
Materials

Admix.

Max. water
sol. Cl ion in
conc., % by
wt of cement

Few limits on materials for class 1 and 2 since durability is not a concern
No maximum water-cement ratio or minimum cement content
Compressive strength based on structural design requirements
Maximum aggregate size controlled by ACI 318 3.3 Aggregates

1/5 narrowest dimension of forms

1/3 slab depth
3/4 minimum clear spacing between reinforcement (governs)

Maximum chloride ions controlled by ACI 318 4.4 for corrosion protection
of reinforcement that will be dry or protected from moisture in service

Concrete Mixtures (contd)

Table 2.12 Concrete Mixtures

Class

App.

Freeze/Thaw,
Slabs on
Deicing
grade
Chemicals,
Foundation
Sulfate
walls
(severe)

4,500
psi

1-1/2

Air
Content

5-1/2 %3

Max.
w/cm
by
weight

Cementitious
Materials

Admix.

Max. water
sol. Cl ion in
conc., % by
wt of cement

0.45

Limits on
cement4,
fly ash,
slag, and
silica
fume5

No calcium
chloride
admixtures

0.15

Class 3 concrete is exposed to freeze-thaw, deicing chemicals, and severe sulfates

Compressive strength, air content, maximum w/cm based on ACI 318 4.2 Freezing
and thawing exposure.
Limits on SCMs based on ACI 318 4.2.3 for concrete exposed to deicing chemicals:

Exp.

Nom.
Max.
Agg.
Size1

Fly ash, 25% max

Slag, 50% max
Silica fume, 10% max
Total of fly ash, slag, and silica fume, 50% max
Total of fly ash and silica fume, 35% max

Limits on cement type, calcium chloride admixtures, strength, and w/cm are based on
ACI 318 4.3 Sulfate exposure.

Type V cement must be used

Concrete Mixtures (contd)

Table 2.12 Concrete Mixtures

Class

App.

Exp.

Nom.
Max.
Agg.
Size1

Footings

Sulfate
(severe)

4,500
psi

1-1/2

Air
Content

Max.
w/cm by
weight

Cementitious
Materials

Admix.

Max. water
sol. Cl ion in
conc., % by
wt of cement

N/A2

0.45

Limits on
cement4

No calcium
chloride
admixtures

0.30

Class 4 concrete is exposed to severe sulfates

Compressive strength, cement type, maximum w/cm, and restriction
on using calcium chloride admixtures are based on ACI 318 4.3
Sulfate exposure

Type V cement must be used

PART 3 - Execution

3.1 FORMWORK
3.2 EMBEDDED ITEMS
3.3 REMOVING AND REUSING FORMS
3.4 SHORES AND RESHORES
3.5 VAPOR RETARDERS
3.6 STEEL REINFORCEMENT
3.7 JOINTS
3.8 WATERSTOPS
3.9 CONCRETE PLACEMENT
3.10 FINISHING FORMED SURFACES
3.11 FINISHING FLOORS AND SLABS
3.12 MISCELLANEOUS CONCRETE ITEMS
3.13 CONCRETE PROTECTING AND CURING
3.14 LIQUID FLOOR TREATEMENTS
3.15 JOINT FILLING
3.16 CONCRETE SURFACE REPAIRS
3.17 FIELD QUALITY ASSURANCE

Concrete Placement

Measure, batch, mix, deliver, and provide delivery ticket

for each batch of concrete in accordance with ASTM C
94.

Do not add water to concrete during delivery or during

placement.
Water is permitted to be added to a batch of concrete at the
project site before placement of the batch begins provided that
the amount of water added does not exceed the allowed amount
indicated on the delivery ticket.

Field Quality Assurance

Testing: Owner shall engage a qualified testing agency

to perform concrete field tests and prepare test reports.
Concrete Field Tests:

Concrete Test Samples: Samples for concrete tests shall be

taken in accordance with ASTM C 172.

Field Quality Assurance (contd)

Compressive Strength Tests on concrete:

Samples shall be taken not less than once per day,

nor less than once for each 150 yd 3 of concrete,
nor less than once for each 5000 ft 2 surface area for slabs or walls.
Acceptance based on standard cured cylinders in accordance with ASTM C 31 and
tested at 28 days in accordance with ASTM C 39.
Strength test results are the average of two specimens.
Tests of slump, air content, temperature and density shall be made and recorded
with the strength test results.

Consider testing at 56 or 90 days for high volumes of SCMs.

Average of two cylinders represent a strength test result by ACI 318
If a 7 day test is specified for informational purposes (not acceptance),
clearly indicate that in the specification.
The installer and manufacturer may choose to make additional cylinders for
field cured specimens to monitor early age strength for form removal and
reshoring.
Field cured specimens are typically not recognized for acceptance.

Field Quality Assurance (contd)

Strength of each concrete class shall be deemed

satisfactory:

The average of three consecutive compressive-strength tests

equals or exceeds specified compressive strength
Any individual compressive-strength test result does not fall
below specified compressive strength by more than 500 psi.

When compressive strength tests indicate low strength,

follow procedure in ACI 318 chapter 5.6.4 Investigation
of low-strength test results

Field Quality Assurance (contd)

Air Content: ASTM C 231.

Air content tests shall be performed on concrete at least at the same

frequency as compressive strength testing.
The provisions of ASTM C 94 shall apply for acceptance of air content
of concrete.

Only use air content as an acceptance criterion if there is an air

content requirement
ACI 318 establishes an air content tolerance of 1.5%
ASTM C 94 permits a jobsite adjustment if the air content is low
Allows for retesting prior to rejecting concrete

Field Quality Assurance (contd)

Slump: ASTM C 143; one test when concrete is sampled

for strength tests.
Temperature: ASTM C 1064; one test when concrete is
sampled for strength tests.
Density: ASTM C 138; one test when concrete is
sampled for strength tests.
Test results shall be reported to architect, engineer,
concrete producer, and concrete contractor within 48
hours of testing.

Recap

Comply with ACI 318

Place limits on materials in concrete based on the
exposure of the concrete.
Plan to propose changes to ACI 318 Chapter 4
Durability Requirements to allow performance-based
alternatives
Plan to develop model performance-based specifications
based on the new provisions

Additional Information

Visit www.nrmca.org/P2P
Download Example Specification
Download P2P Articles
Download Research Studies