1. Home
  2. RIP
  3. View Record
https://www.nationalacademies.org/trb/events

Development and Implementation of Performance Engineered Concrete

As the pace of innovation in the concrete industry has rapidly accelerated over the past decade and novel cementitious materials, manufacturing processes, and admixtures have led to drastic changes in product availability, Performance Engineered Mixtures (PEM) ensure that projects are built to last and delay or avoid costly overlays or replacement. Recent Wyoming Department of Transportation (WYDOT) experiences communicated to the project team have indicated that implementation of novel mixes using silica fume for bridge decks resulted in significant levels of surface cracking that invite durability issues and incur significant cost to the DOT, similar to experiences in other states like Iowa and Montana. By current WYDOT estimates, the cost of repairing one bridge deck with a rigid overlay is a minimum $350,000, bridge deck full-replacement is $1M and replacing one mile of concrete pavement costs $4-5M. The smallest of these costs is twice the cost of this project, and use of PEM specifications would likely limit similar issues. Additionally, as Portland limestone cement (PLC) became one of the only available option for cement, it resulted in contractors scrambling to adapt. This project strategically introduces specifications to improve durability and constructability. One pathway to prevent these issues from recurring is adopting a WYDOT PEM specification. While WYDOT has adopted some provisions in AASHTO R-101 for pavements, gaps exist in the adoptions for constructability and durability – particularly regarding aggregate gradation, workability, and chloride ion transport – that could markedly improve the quality and durability of concrete pavements and structures in the state, significantly reducing maintenance and rehabilitation costs.