Use of Performance-Specified (ASTM C1157) Cements in Colorado Transportation Projects: Case Studies

As sustainability becomes an increasingly important element in the design and construction of transportation infrastructure, approaches to reduce the environmental footprint of concrete become more attractive. Concrete, as the most commonly used construction material on the planet, has a significant environmental impact. Although portland cement is a relatively minor constituent by volume, its presence is responsible for 90 to 95 percent of the CO2 associated with concrete. The key to reducing the carbon footprint of concrete is to reduce the amount of portland cement used. One way to accomplished this is by using alternative cement binders. ASTM C1157 performance specified cements are relatively new to the market, having no chemical or physical requirements other than they must meet certain physical performance test requirements. Colorado is one of five state DOTs that allow the use of ASTM C1157 cements. Three case studies are presented the show that slipform paving concrete made with ASTM C1157 cement are readily constructable and can easily achieve specified strength requirements. These cements were used in mixtures that also contained fly ash demonstrating their versatility. Due to the newness of the specification, long-term performance data does not exist.

• Corporate Authors:

  Transportation Research Board

  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Authors:
  • Van Dam, Thomas John
  • Smartz, Brooke Williams
• Conference:
  • Transportation Research Board 89th Annual Meeting
  • Location: Washington DC, United States
  • Date: 2010-1-10 to 2010-1-14
• Date: 2010

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: DVD
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 9p
• Monograph Title: TRB 89th Annual Meeting Compendium of Papers DVD

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Binders; Carbon dioxide; Concrete; Environmental impacts; Field tests; Fly ash; Pavements; Performance based specifications; Portland cement
• Uncontrolled Terms: Transportation infrastructure
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Subject Areas: Environment; Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01158112
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: 10-1355
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: May 30 2010 7:44AM