Sessions & Events

MINI SESSION: The Importance of Workability for YOUR Application

Tuesday, October 28, 2025  8:00 AM - 9:00 AM, M - University 1 & 2

This mini-session will cover real case studies in how workability is critical for different applications. Each case will cover how workability can affect the overall success of an application as well as ways to design and quality control the process and application.

Learning Objectives:
(1) Discuss how workability is critical for consolidation;
(2) Discuss how workability is critical for low-carbon mixes;
(3) Discuss how workability is critical for pumping;
(4) Discuss how workability is critical for drilled shafts.

This session has been approved by AIA and ICC for 1 PDH (0.1 CEU). Please note: You must attend the live session for the entire duration to receive credit. On-demand sessions do not qualify for PDH/CEU credit.

How Workability Affects Drilled Shaft Placements

Presented By: Justin Torkilson
Affiliation: Kiewit Engineering Group, Inc
Description: This case study will discuss how workability can be key not necessarily for the final placement, but for the journey from the concrete truck to the final placement; in this case of a drilled shaft. Understanding the placement conditions as well as the variability that could be encountered and having the right fail-safes will be discussed, including the importance of proper communications between the ready-mix and contractor.

How Workability Affects Slipforming Processes

Presented By: G. Terry Harris
Affiliation: Chryso, Inc.
Description: This case study will discuss workability criteria for low-slump applications such as slipform curb and gutter mixtures. Although the specified range of the slump may be small, the rheology can be significantly different. The use of admixtures will be shown to achieve proper rheology within this low slump range, while also imparting robustness required for constructibility consistency.

Modeling the Unseen Flow of Tremie Concrete

Presented By: Thomas Mitchell
Affiliation:
Description: This research uses Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) to uncover how rheology governs concrete flow during tremie placement in drilled shafts, helping explain defect formation like voids and inclusions. Simulations show that low-workability concrete and tight reinforcement spacing restrict flow, increasing defect risk. Sediment at the shaft base further impedes flow, with its impact highly dependent on its rheological properties. At industry scale, a new modeling approach reveals that reinforcement alters flow patterns—plug flow in unreinforced shafts versus bulging flow in reinforced ones—affecting concrete distribution and defect potential.

How Workability Affects Consolidation

Presented By: Paul Jaworski
Affiliation: Minnich Mfg
Description: Reading concrete workability is critical to the vibration process. In both cases of high viscosity pavement mixtures and low viscosity pumpable mixtures it is important to read workability throughout the concrete processes. There have been many advancements in preconstruction quality control by developing “real time’ testing equipment and applying them to track variances. Procedures have been developed to sense variances in workability that allow for vibration adjustments for a more predictable outcome.

How Workability Affects Finishing

Presented By: Karthik Pattaje
Affiliation: Wiss, Janney, Elstner Associates, Inc.
Description: This case study explores the relationship between concrete workability and finishing performance in interior slab-on-grade placements for datacenter applications. Laboratory and field pilot studies were conducted using proprietary performance-based cement (ASTM C1157) mixtures. While the mixtures met specification requirements in the lab trials, their behavior during field placement posed challenges to placement and finishing. This presentation will highlight these challenges and will discuss lessons learned.