Title: Canadian Experience in Producing and Testing HPC

Author(s): Pierre-Claude Aitcin and Moussa Baalbaki

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 159

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 295-308

Keywords: admixtures; aggregates, binders (materials); durability; fly ash; high-performance concretes; high-strength concretes; mix proportioning; silica fume; superplasticizers; General

DOI: 10.14359/1603

Date: 2/1/1996

Abstract:
High-performance concretes (HPC) characterized by a low water/binder ratio and generally high binder content which may include supplementary cementing materials, are used increasingly in the worldwide construction industry for technical or economical reasons as well as for their improved durability. The development and the use of such a high performance material necessitate some drastic readjustments within the construction industry. Concrete should not be envisaged as a commodity material that has to be produced with the cheapest materials and placed and cured in the cheapest ways. Concrete should rather be considered as an elaborate material for which constituents are carefully selected in order to achieve the desired performance. Of special importance are the selection of a compatible cement/superplasticizer combination and clean, strong, and well shaped aggregates. The use of cementitious materials should be considered not only because they can reduce the production cost of high performance concretes but also because they can be technically advantageous. Making and using HPC necessitate the implementation of a strong and efficient quality control program on the materials used to make the concrete, on the properties of the fresh and hardened concrete, and on the placing and curing techniques in order to be sure of obtaining a high performance final product. Testing high performance concrete necessitates great care and special attention.