This session will cover what has been updated in the ACI PRC-304 document (Guide for Measuring, Mixing, Transporting, and Placing Concrete), which was last updated in 2000. In addition, we will discuss specific cases that highlight the importance of each of these vital production processes, and challenges that can occur. In addition, the cooperation between designer, engineer, specifier, producer, contractor and inspectors will also be discussed.
Learning Objectives:
(1) Learn about the current state of concrete production in the US;
(2) Learn what has been updated in the 304 document, last updated in 2000;
(3) Learn how the 304 document can be used and applied through case studies;
(4) Review case studies that highlight importance of the 304 document, including where challenges occur and the collaborative approach between concrete entities.
ACI PRC-304 Document (Guide for Measuring, Mixing, Transporting, and Placing Concrete)
Presented By: Jim Pierce
Affiliation:
Description: This presentation will discuss the overall contents of the 304 document, with commentary on key parts with respect to today’s concrete production. In addition, changes and additions to the document will be specifically called out. Lastly, The presentation will discuss future topics and activities of the ACI 304 committee.
Adding Concrete to Water: Placing Underwater Concrete
Presented By: Terry Holland
Affiliation: Energy 4
Description: This session covers the placement of concrete under water, focusing on techniques like tremie and direct pumping. It highlights key considerations for material selection, mix design, and equipment setup to ensure quality and durability. Attendees will learn about best practices for maintaining seal integrity, preventing washout, and managing flow during placement. Special applications such as fabric forming and diaphragm-wall construction are also discussed. The presentation emphasizes planning, inspection, and supervision to mitigate risks and ensure successful underwater concrete operations.
Concrete Production: Adapting to the Next, New, and Novel
Presented By: Lee Thrasher
Affiliation: CTS Cement
Description: A Ready-Mixed plant provides concrete within a delivery radius that is supported from locally sourced material suppliers. This presentation describes how ready-mixed concrete production utilizes the available property, storage, handling, and batching to produce and deliver the market required concrete mixtures. Participants will get an understanding of how ready-mixed concrete plants are built and operated with peak volume production in mind, supported through continual replenishment of raw materials. Learn of the challenges and considerations that must be given when producers face changing primary materials in their mixtures. We will discuss adjusting operations and batching for the next material change coming to market, how to include new materials for projects or innovation, or when dealing with the uncertainty of a novel material that’s specified or required but yet to be proven, scaled, or standardized.
H20 Precision: The Vital Role of Water in Concrete Batching
Presented By: Dana Rotkovich
Affiliation: KB Concrete
Description: Water is the engine which makes Admixtures, Cementitious Materials, & Aggregates transform in ready-mix concrete. This presentation examines the crucial influence of water in producing top-quality concrete. This presentation emphasizes the importance of managing water content for strength, workability, and durability, while detailing key rules for effective concrete batching. Participants will explore precise water measurement, batching standards, and best practices, enhanced by hands-on, real-world scenario training. Learn to tackle common challenges - like adjusting for weather or material variations - through practical examples, ensuring consistent, high-performance results in every batch.
How Well Does Trimming Improve Concrete’s Looks???
Presented By: Justin Torkilson
Affiliation: Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc
Description: This presentation will show case an example where trimming concrete was critical to not only workability, but placement and strength of concrete. Trimming is a common practice at ready-mix concrete plants, and can have a dramatic effect not only workability at placement, but consistency of strength and finishability as well.
H2O Precision: The Vital Role of Water Management After Batching
Presented By: Nathan Tregger
Affiliation: Verifi LLC
Description: The majority of water supplied to concrete occurs during the batching process, but a significant and influential amount of water can also be added (documented or undocumented) during transit and upon arrival of the job site. This presentation will discuss how IoT (Internet-of-Things) combined with slump prediction algorithms and fluid systems installed on trucks with full connectivity to the internet and machine learning can lead to high consistency, full documentation of a delivery and even optimization of mix designs.