1. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 1 Hidden Landmines in Concrete Specifications Eric T. Misenheimer, PE Chair, CRMCA Technical Committee June 22, 2013

2. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 2 What is a Specification? A specification (often abbreviated as spec) is an explicit set of requirements to be satisfied by a material, design, product, or service. – ASTMrequirements

3. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 3 Why should we be concerned? Specification Requirements: – Aggregates Alkali Silica Reactivity – ASR – Concrete Properties Shrinkage Permeability Air Void Analysis Freeze-Thaw Durability Scaling Resistance

4. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 4 Why should we be concerned? Time – From 16 days to 68 weeks – Most tests around 30 days, but some take SIGNIFICANTLY longer – Communicate the time frame(s) to potential bidders so that they are aware of schedule impacts. – Avoid last minute job award/submittal requests

5. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 5 Why should we be concerned? Cost – From $400 per test to $2500 per test – Make sure that ALL anticipated testing costs are captured and expensed

6. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 6 C 1260/C 1567 Example – Standard **Note age of data allowed**

7. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 7 C 1260/C 1567 Example – 30 days

8. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 8 Why should we be concerned? Variance from ASTM Standard – Communicate with lab performing test to make sure variance is noted and incorporated and test is run to completion – Check on additional cost of variance

9. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 9 C 157 - Example

10. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 10 C 457 Example

11. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 11 C 457/C 666 Example

12. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 12 Why should we be concerned? Design vs. Construction Testing – Construction stage testing can be very difficult Most tests are intended for lab conditions – Many construction stage tests are affected by conditions beyond our control Placement, consolidation, finishing and curing – Make sure design and construction testing responsibilities/liabilities are covered in your contractual/PO agreements

13. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 13 C 1202 Example

14. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 14 Test – Standard – Time – Cost Test PurposeASTMTimeCostComments StandardRequired Petrographic Exam - Aggregates C 295**$2000 to $2500** No specific time for test, but highly specialized and very few labs perform this test. Can take 30 days to get results. Alkali Reactivity - Aggregates C 126016 to 30 days $1000 to $1600Standard calls for 16 days but some specs extend to 30 days Alkali Reactivity – w/ Cementitious C 156716 to 30 days $1000 to $1600Standard calls for 16 days but some specs extend to 30 days ShrinkageC 157**$500 to $1200** Standard calls for 28 days initial curing followed by up to 64 weeks. Typically modified to 7 days initial curing followed by 28 days. Microscopic Air Void Analysis C 457**$400 to $600** No specific time for test, but highly specialized and very few labs perform this test. Can take 30 days to get results.

15. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 15 Test – Standard – Time – Cost Test PurposeASTMTimeCostComments StandardRequired Freeze-Thaw ResistanceC 66640 to 60 days** $1200 to $1500**Procedure after 14 days(typical) curing Permeability (?) C 1202**$500 to $700**Curing method controls length. Typically 28 days. Scaling ResistanceC 67250 days**$800 to $1000**Procedure after 28 days(typical) curing

16. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 16 Why should we be concerned? Time – Time noted in tables is for the test only Does noted include gathering/delivering materials to the lab or mix/sample preparation Costs – Costs noted in table are for standard test procedures and any variance from the standard can have SIGNIFICANT effect on test costs.

17. June 2013 © CRMCA.com 17 QUESTIONS ?? Thank you on behalf of the CRMCA Technical Committee