Title:
Helping our World Work Better with Standards: Connecting the Dots with ASTM International
Author(s):
Cesar Constantino
Publication:
Web Session
Volume:
ws_F23_CesarConstantino.pdf
Issue:
Appears on pages(s):
Keywords:
DOI:
Date:
10/29/2023
Abstract:
The cement and concrete industry is presently a global industry with worldwide suppliers, contractors, and companies functioning as expanded enterprises in international, collaborative partnerships. Standards (specifications and test methods) and codes are a critical source of technical knowledge and information used globally to design, build, and sustain a range of infrastructure and construction projects. These standards, as well as the processes used to develop and distribute them, need to be better understood and recognized in order to support this global industry - particularly as it works to further reduce CO2 emissions and make demonstrable progress towards the industry objective of ‘Net Zero’ concrete by 2050. Notwithstanding the global cement and concrete standards and codes system is complex and, at times, fragmented due to a patchwork of regulations and local preferences, other global industry sectors have achieved apparent successes in alignment and harmonization of standards suggesting reduced project costs, coherent regulatory requirements, and well understood conformity assessments and quality management audits. This presentation will cover the foundation and elements of collaboration that have shown promise to bridge the gap (connecting the dots) in the standards realm and will propose recommendations that can be part of a global strategy to help advance the future of the cement and concrete industry.