Perspective on Prescriptions

This article discusses the Prescription to Performance initiative to promote the move to performance-based specification of concrete. Since the Australian concrete industry has undergone a similar transformation, this point of view article draws on the author's experience with adjusting to this approach. The negative consequences of prescriptive specifications are discussed, and the benefits to the design and construction communities of using performance specifications are highlighted. Although the adjustment may be challenging, especially in terms of bringing quality control and mixture proportioning technology up to speed, a performance-based system offers a win-win situation for most of those concerned. The concrete purchaser receives a more economical, uniform and reliable product, while the producer is able to use a wider range of materials, more economical mixture proportioning, and a smaller control margin. The producer also can provide a wider range of test data on concrete properties, while the purchaser benefits from this expert advice.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/4163061
• Authors:
  • Day, Ken W
• Publication Date: 2005-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: References;
• Pagination: pp 27-30
• Serial:
  • Concrete International
  • Volume: 27
  • Issue Number: 7
  • Publisher: American Concrete Institute (ACI)
  • ISSN: 0162-4075

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Case studies; Concrete; Concrete construction; Mix design; Performance based specifications; Quality control
• Geographic Terms: Australia
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01002386
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 28 2005 7:49AM