A new high early strength product, 4×4 Concrete, was among technologies showcased during an April 15, U.S. Department of Transportation-hosted demonstration at the Woodrow Wilson Bridge site in Washington, D.C. Department of Transportation Secretary Norman Mineta noted that 4×4 Concrete and other technologies are producing safer, longer lasting and less expensive roads and bridges, while also reducing construction times across the country.

“The future of road building is through technologies that save time, taxpayer dollars and provide a better, safer driving experience,” he said. “We are working to find ways to promote these technologies in construction projects nationwide.” The Bush administration's plan for TEA-21 reauthorization, Mineta added, would make available up to $17.6 billion this year to encourage greater use of new technologies in building and restoring roads and bridges.

The 4×4 product emerged from research that Cleveland-based Master Builders Inc. undertook to provide the California Department of Transportation an alternative to concrete mixes requiring fast-setting cements. Notes Master Builders Senior Product Manager Mark Bury, “It is branded 4×4 Concrete because it can achieve performance levels of 400 psi flexural strength within four hours after placement, meaning it is strong enough at that time to accept vehicular traffic. The system accelerates return to service of the roadway and allows work to be done without disrupting peak-hour traffic, thus eliminating penalties.” The 4×4 formulation, he adds, is based on the company's Glenium, Delvo, and Pozzolith admixtures.

Glenium is the proprietary polymer behind the company's family of third-generation superplasticizers. Assisting in the demonstration was northern Virginia-based Newington Concrete, whose early adoption of Glenium agents has resulted in self-consolidating concrete orders on Pentagon contracts.