The National Ready Mixed Concrete Association has introduced its new Specification in Practice (SIP) series. This series was developed by NRMCA’s Research Engineering and Standards Committee and consists of short (two-page) information sheets written in an easily understandable "What, Why and How?" format. The first five topics address commonly found, high priority prescriptive issues that impact the ability to produce concrete mixtures that are sustainable and attain the intended performance. They were chosen by survey and their frequency of occurrence was quantified by a review of more than 100 currently used specifications. The SIPs can be distributed to specifying engineers by ready mixed concrete industry personnel to improve concrete specifications.
Each specification topic is addressed under these headings:
- States a prescriptive requirement
- Indicates whether the requirement is mandated by industry standards
- Discusses the basis for the requirement, either real or perceived
- Describes adverse implications of the requirement
- Suggests alternative performance criteria
- Illuminates the benefits of using the performance requirements in place of the prescriptive requirement
The SIPs are available online and are also published in the August 2015 issue of the ACI’s Concrete International magazine. They are just the latest in a growing library of similar NRMCA publications aimed at helping to educate the many professionals who play a role in producing quality ready mixed concrete across a wide variety of applications. The publications library also includes the esteemed Concrete in Practice series aimed at contractors and the Technology in Practice series aimed at ready mixed concrete personnel and contractors.
