Title:
A Perspective on the North American Approach to Performance Requirements and Standards for Concrete
Author(s):
Oscar Antommattei
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_F23_OscarAntommaettei.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
10/29/2023
Abstract:
This presentation will discuss requirements and standards for concrete from a particular perspective with experience in the design and construction of concrete for infrastructure and energy projects in North American (Canada, United States and Mexico). It is evident that the concrete in the United States share numerous similarities to the concrete materials in Canada and Mexico; however, there are also many differences in the approach to establishing requirements and developing standards for concrete. The use of performance requirements for concrete have been challenging in the United States when compared to Canada and Mexico that have been faster adopters of the performance approach. This creates a clear difference for the concrete industry in North America. In the United States, the use of overly prescriptive requirements limiting the development of performance requirements is very common, but the Canadian and Mexico standards incorporate the use of performance approach to establish requirements for concrete that also require qualification and testing. This presentation will cover a perspective from experience working in North American projects that will help discuss some of the current challenges and potential opportunities about the use of performance based and engineered approach to requirements for design and construction of concrete.