Sources: National Ready Mixed Concrete Association, Silver Spring, Md.; American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, Mich.; CP staff
In an overview for ready mixed producers on the reorganized ACI-318, Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, NRMCA Senior Vice President, Engineering Colin Lobo notes how the just-released version: consolidates concrete mixture-specific references from 318-11 Chapters 3 (Materials), 4 (Durability) and 5 (Strength and Construction Issues) into new Chapters 19 (Concrete: Design and Durability Requirements) and 26 (Construction Documents and Inspection). The reorganization of these sections permitted an evaluation and elimination of some Code provisions related to concrete mixtures and construction when better addressed in other referenced standards.
ACI 318-14 Chapter 19 covers essentials a licensed professional designer (LDP) needs to address on requirements for concrete on a project: minimum specified strength level; modulus of elasticity estimate; design modification factors when using lightweight mixes; and, durability requirements for structures subject to specific exposures. Regarding freeze-thaw cycles (Exposure Category F), the chapter clarifies descriptors of the exposure condition for concrete. Previously, all Category F classes required a maximum w/cm and minimum specified strength of 0.45 and 4,500 psi, respectively. ACI 318-14 requires Class F1, 0.55 w/cm and 3,500 psi; Class F2, 0.45 w/cm and 4,500 psi; and, Class F3, 0.40 and 4,500 psi. For plain concrete in exposure Class F3, 0.45 w/cm and 4,500 psi targets apply. In contrast to its predecessor, the new code permits Type IT binder conforming to ASTM C595, Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cement, for concrete subject to water-soluble sulfates (Exposure Category S).
Where appropriate, certain 318-11 concrete materials language is replaced in 318-14 Chapter 26 with references to ASTM C94, Standard Specification for Ready Mixed Concrete, or other standards. The chapter spans two distinct types of provisions: design information, or project-specific construction details the LDP needs to include in construction documents; and, compliance requirements, or general 318 Code provisions that establish a minimum level of construction quality. Among key sections for concrete producers and contractors:
- 26.4 Concrete Materials and Mixture Requirements—References specifications and other requirements for materials that can be used in concrete; requirements for concrete mixtures that are related to strength, durability and construction; and, provisions for proportioning concrete and documenting proposed mixtures to the LDP. Section 26.4.3 references ACI 301, Specification for Structural Concrete, stipulating a 24-month limit on the age of a strength test record for determining standard deviation, submittals, and laboratory trial batches. Details of establishing the required average strength for concrete mixtures have been eliminated from ACI 318.
- 26.5 Concrete Production and Construction—Covers production, placement, consolidation and curing provisions; cold and hot weather concreting; and, construction of members and joints.
- 26.12 Concrete Evaluation and Acceptance—States strength test requirements, testing frequency, strength acceptance criteria, and investigation of low strength test results.
ACI 318-14 is the most sweeping reorganization of the Institute’s flagship document in more than four decades. ACI is supporting the new edition with 50-plus seminars throughout 2015; most immediately, it has posted transition keys mapping 318-11 provisions to the new edition at www.concete.org/ACI318. Also on tap for next year will be an updated Reinforced Concrete Design Manual, published in accordance with ACI 318-14. Additional information on the new code’s impact on ready mixed producers and specifications can be obtained from Colin Lobo, [email protected], who maintains ACI Committee 318 membership, or NRMCA Vice President, Technical Services Karthik Obla, [email protected].
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