Enhancing Concrete Durability and Sustainability through Research, Industry Partnership, and Standardization: A MassDOT Success Story
Presented By: Richard Mulcahy
Affiliation: Commonwealth of Massachusetts Department of Transp
Description: Doing more with less. A common phrase, yet an uncommon practice. Applying this concept to cement-based concrete is no easy task, but it is not insurmountable. Changing the “but we have always done it this way” line of thinking is the largest hurdle to overcome. Overcoming these challenges can be accomplished through a collaborative effort of industry and agency personnel working together in a partnership. The success of any standard specification is predicated solely on industry support and buy-in. This ensures that the requirements being proposed are both practical and accepted by all parties. Compromise, open-mindedness, and creativity by both agency and industry are mandatory prerequisites when embarking on this journey…together. This session will cover MassDOT’s own journey to enhanced concrete durability and sustainability, through research, industry partnership, and standardization.
The Designer’s Perspective: Specifying Lower Carbon Concrete
Presented By: Julia Hogroian
Affiliation: Simpson Gumpertz and Heger
Description: The built environment contributes substantially to global greenhouse gas emissions. Concrete is a strong, durable material and, because it is so widely used, a large contributor to global greenhouse gas emissions. This presentation will explore opportunities for designers to specify lower-carbon concrete mixes. Traditional portland cement production is very carbon intensive; supplementary cementitious materials are key to reducing concrete’s carbon footprint, but the strategy can vary by regional preferences and availability. She will discuss performance-based specifications with global warming potential (GWP) targets and other ways to engage with local ready-mixed concrete suppliers.
A Concrete Producer’s Approach to Specifications and Sustainable Concrete
Presented By: Julie Buffenbarger
Affiliation: St. Marys Cement
Description: Concrete specifications define the required properties, materials, and methods for concrete work, ensuring quality, durability, and safety while providing a framework for efficient and cost-effective construction. In some cases, these specifications also include sustainable practices or low-carbon construction requirements, highlighting their growing importance in the industry.
Producers must select concrete mixtures to meet the required strength, durability, and performance standards by understanding the specific material properties and construction methods. Decisions on materials in a concrete mixture can dramatically affect the environmental burdens captured in a whole life cycle assessment. Selection of materials often hinges on quality, cost, and availability, focusing on cement, aggregates (sand, gravel, crushed stone), water, and potential admixtures and fibers.
The Concrete Contractor’s Perspective on Specifications and Sustainable Concrete
Presented By: William Warren
Affiliation: Baker Construction
Description: This presentation will discuss the impact of specifications on the constructability of the project. With the introduction of materials that reduce concrete’s global warming potential (GWP), contractors have been challenged with new issues that affect constructability. Some of these issues are: delayed strength gain, pumpability, workability, finishability, setability, and questions about durability. The contractor’s goal is to deliver a safe, quality product that meets or exceeds the schedule requirements while still allowing the project team to be good stewards of the environment. Experience has shown that new products should have additional testing that addresses these challenges. Early involvement and collaboration by all the stakeholders has proven very helpful in having successful projects that meet the expectations of all the concerned parties.