EP #108: Concrete Performance vs. Prescriptive Specifications

In this episode of the Concrete Logic Podcast, Seth Tandett interviews Colin Lobo, the Executive Vice President and Division Head of Engineering at NRMCA. They delve into the differences between prescriptive and performance specifications in concrete, discussing the implications of each on responsibility, compliance, and industry practices. Colin explains the evolution from prescriptive to performance specifications, the challenges of hybrid specifications, and the importance of accurate documentation in concrete mixing. The conversation highlights the challenges faced in job site testing, the importance of density measurement, and the need for improved testing standards to ensure safety and sustainability. The discussion also touches on the shift towards performance-based specifications and the confidentiality issues surrounding mix designs.

Takeaways
• Prescriptive specifications dictate how to mix concrete.
• Performance specifications focus on the desired outcomes.
• Responsibility shifts to the concrete producer with performance specs.
• Hybrid specifications can create contradictions in requirements.
• Water quality is a significant concern in concrete mixing.
• Testing specimens often get compromised, affecting strength measurements.
• Current testing standards are inadequate and need improvement.
• Sustainability efforts could be increasing the carbon footprint of concrete.
• Industry standards must evolve to reflect practical realities.
• Collaboration is needed to improve testing and standards.
• Engagement in standards committees is vital for industry progress.

Chapters
00:00 Introduction to Concrete Specifications
03:25 Understanding Prescriptive vs Performance Specifications
07:30 The Shift in Responsibility
09:50 Hybrid Specifications and Their Challenges
11:46 The Role of Legal in Specification Acceptance
13:24 Concrete Producer's Perspective on Specifications
15:09 Documenting Compliance in Concrete Mixing
16:40 Typical Prescriptive Requirements
19:24 Evolution from Prescriptive to Performance Specifications
21:20 Challenges in Concrete Testing
24:29 Mix Design and Performance Expectations
27:27 The Importance of Density Measurement
29:52 Addressing Testing Standards and Sustainability
32:19 Evolving Towards Performance-Based Specifications
35:18 Confidentiality and Industry Standards

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Episode References
Guest: Colon Lobo, Executive VP of NRMCA, clobo@nrmca.org
Guest Website:⁠ https://www.nrmca.org/

Producers: Jodi Tandett, Mike Hernandez
Donate & Become a Producer: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/support/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Music: Mike Dunton | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.mikeduntonmusic.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠mikeduntonmusic@gmail.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Instagram ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@Mike_Dunton⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

Host: Seth Tandett, ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠seth@concretelogicpodcast.com⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Host LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/in/seth-tandett/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
Website: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.concretelogicpodcast.com/⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠
LinkedIn: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.linkedin.com/company/concrete-logic-podcast

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