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ENGINEERING:
Specifying for Performance
Karthik Obla, Ph.D., P.E., FACI, NRMCA Vice President, Technical Services and
Colin Lobo, Ph.D., P.E., NRMCA Executive Vice President, Engineering

T
his article is an advisory to the engineer to minimize prescrip- (ACI 318-14) Table 19.3.3.1 – Total Air Content for Concrete
tive requirements and to consider performance alternatives Exposed to Cycles of Freezing and Thawing
for concrete mixtures in project specifications (1, 2, 3). An
Nominal Target Air Content, Percent
important step is to assign exposure classes to structural members Maximum
consistent with ACI 318 (and ACI 301). It is noted that the current Aggregate Size, in F1 F2 and F3
version of AIA MasterSpec does not address the ACI 318 durability
3/8 6 7.5
exposure requirements. Consider performance alternatives as needed
½ 5.5 7
for performance and serviceability of specific structural member types.
¾ 5 6
Overly conservative specification requirements that are invoked when
1 4.5 6
not applicable to different member types and exposures can increase
1½ 4.5 5.5
cost and detract from sustainability initiatives.
2 4 5
3 3.5 4.5
CONCRETE MATERIAL REQUIREMENTS
The Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete, ACI
318-14, covers requirements for concrete mixtures in Chapter 19, primar- (ACI 318-14) Table 26.4.2.2(b) – Limits on Cementitious Materials
ily for durability. Some details are covered in Chapter 26. The engineer for Concrete Assigned to Exposure Class F3
of record is required to assign durability exposure classes based on an Maximum Percent of
assessment of the severity of exposure to concrete members for each ACI Cementitious Materials Total Cementitious
318 Exposure Category: F for freezing and thawing; S for exposure to Materials by Mass
water soluble sulfates in soil; W for concrete members in contact with Fly ash or other pozzolans conforming to
25
water requiring low permeability; C for concrete members requiring ASTM C618
protection from corrosion of reinforcement. Review the definitions of Slag cement conforming to ASTM C989 50
Exposure Categories in Appendix A. The ACI 318-14 Code has very Silica fume conforming to ASTM C1240 10
few prescriptive concrete material requirements. Section 1.10 of the Total of fly ash or other pozzolans and
35
ACI 318-14 states that performance alternatives to prescriptive code silica fume
requirements such as w/cm need approval from the building official. Total of fly ash or other pozzolans,
50
slag cement, and silica fume
Freeze Thaw Exposure
In accordance with ACI 318-14 select w/cm, air content and com- respectively. Limits on the quantity of supplementary cementitious
pressive strength for members assigned Exposure Classes F1, F2 and F3, materials (SCM) are applicable to exposure class F3, i.e. concrete with
frequent exposure to water and deicing chemicals.
(ACI 318-14) Table 19.3.2.1 – Requirements for Note that the w/cm and strength requirements for exposure class
Concrete by Exposure Class
F3 are intended for structurally reinforced and prestressed concrete
Exposure Max Min ƒ´c , Additional Requirements Limits on members and are intended to be consistent with the requirements for
Class w/cm(1) psi Air Content SCM exposure class C2. Refer to the definition of “plain concrete” in ACI 318.
F0 N/A 2500 N/A N/A Specified air content can be reduced by 1% when ƒ´c >5000 psi.
F1 0.55 3500 Table 19.3.1.1 N/A
F2 0.45 4500 Table 19.3.1.1 N/A
Performance Requirement
Scaling is generally related to timing and procedures used for
F3 0.40(2) 5000(2) Table 19.3.1.1 26.4.2.2(b)
finishing. A performance alternative may be used if higher quanti-
(1)
 he maximum w/cm limits in Table 19.3.2.1 do not apply to
T ties of SCMs are needed. The performance alternative might be to
lightweight concrete.
(2)
For plain concrete, the maximum w/cm shall be 0.45 and the evaluate the deicer salt scaling resistance measured in accordance with
minimum fc' shall be 4500 psi. ASTM C672 with a “Visual rating less than or equal to 2.” Experience

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(ACI 318-14) Table 19.3.2.1 – Requirements for Concrete by Exposure Class

Additional Minimum Requirements

Exposure Max w/ Min ƒ´c , Calcium Chloride
Cementitious Materials(3) - Types
Class cm(1) psi Admixture
ASTM C150 ASTM C595 ASTM C1157
S0 N/A 2500 No type restriction No type restriction No type restriction No restriction
Types IP, IS, or IT with
S1 0.50 4000 II (4)(5)
MS No restriction
(MS) designation
Types IP, IS, or IT with
S2 0.45 4500 V(5) HS Not permitted
(HS) designation
Types IP, IS, or IT with
V plus pozzolan or HS plus pozzolan or
S3 0.45 4500 (MS) designation plus poz- Not permitted
slag cement(6) slag cement(6)
zolan or slag cement(6)
(1)
 he maximum w/cm limits in Table 19.3.2.1 do not apply to lightweight concrete.
T
(3)
A lternative combinations of cementitious materials to those listed in Table 19.3.2.1 are permitted when tested for sulfate resistance and meeting the
criteria in 26.4.2.2(c).
(4)
For seawater exposure, other types of portland cements with tricalcium aluminate (C3A) contents up to 10 percent are permitted if the w/cm does not exceed 0.40.
(5)
Other available types of cement such as Type I or Type III are permitted in Exposure Classes S1 or S2 if the C3A contents are less than 8 percent for Exposure
Class S1 or less than 5 percent for Exposure Class S2.
(6)
T he amount of the specific source of the pozzolan or slag cement to be used shall be at least the amount that has been determined by service record to improve
sulfate resistance when used in concrete containing Type V cement.

indicates that the scaling test is quite severe and not reflective of field (ACI 318-14) Table 19.3.2.1 – Requirements for Concrete
performance. When this requirement is specified, do not include a by Exposure Class
limit on SCM if the mixture has been evaluated for a quantity in
Exposure Class Max w/cm(1) Min ƒ´c , psi
excess of the limit. No performance alternative is suggested for w/cm.
W0 N/A 2500
Sulfate Exposure W1 0.50 4000
In accordance with ACI 318-14, select w/cm, compressive strength, (1)
 he maximum w/cm limits in Table 19.3.2.1 do not apply to
T
cementitious materials for the sulfate Exposure Classes S1, S2 and lightweight concrete.
S3. Note that concrete members subject to marine exposure are
assigned to exposure class S1. However, because of exposure to chlo- Performance Requirement
rides in seawater, the requirements of exposure class C2 for w/cm An alternate to the w/cm is to specify a requirement for rapid chloride
and ƒ´c would ­govern. Do not permit calcium chloride admixtures permeability (RCP) measured in accordance with ASTM C1202. A
for S2 and S3 classes. suggested alternative to the max w/cm of 0.50 is a maximum RCP of
2500 coulombs. Do not include both w/cm and RCP requirements.
Performance Requirement RCP is performed when pre-qualifying the mixture and documented
In accordance with ACI 318-14, as an alternative to cementitious in a submittal.
materials specify that the combinations of cementitious materials For some types of structural members where cracking impacts
proposed meet the ASTM C1012 expansion criteria. No performance functionality (e.g. water retaining structures), shrinkage requirements
alternative is suggested for w/cm. may be considered. Specify a length change limit of 0.05% tested in
accordance with ASTM C157. General specimen conditioning for this
Water Exposure limit is curing for seven days in water followed by drying for 28 days –
In accordance with ACI 318-14, select w/cm, and compressive test age is 35 days. Compliance with this requirement is done during
strength for the water Exposure Class W1 where a low permeability pre-qualification and documented in a submittal.
is required.
Corrosion Protection of Reinforcement
(ACI 318-14) Table 26.4.2.2(c) – Requirements for Establishing In accordance with ACI 318-14, select w/cm compressive strength.
Suitability of Combinations of Cementitious Materials Exposed to Specify chloride limits for concrete mixtures. Specify cover to reinforc-
Water-Soluble Sulfate ing steel for members assigned to exposure class C2.

Maximum Expansion Strain if Tested

Exposure Performance Requirement
Using ASTM C1012
Class An alternate to the w/cm is to specify a requirement for RCP
At 6 Months At 12 Months At 18 Months measured in accordance with ASTM C1202. A suggested alterna-
S1 0.10 percent No requirement No requirement tive to the max w/cm of 0.40 is a maximum RCP of 1000 coulombs.
Do not include both w/cm and RCP requirements. RCP tests are
S2 0.05 percent 0.10 percent(1) No requirement
performed during mixture prequalification and documented in a
S3 No requirement No requirement 0.10 percent submittal. The RCP requirement features as an effective performance
(1)
T he 12-month expansion limit applies only if the measured expansion exceeds alternative to specifying types and quantities of SCM. The RCP and
the 6-month maximum expansion limit. strength requirements ensure that concrete mixtures that are resistant

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(ACI 318-14) Table 19.3.2.1 – Requirements for Concrete by Exposure Class

Additional Requirements

Maximum Water-Soluble Chloride Ion (Cl –) Content

Exposure Class Max w/cm(1) Min ƒ´c , psi Additional Provisions
in Concrete, Percent by Weight of Cement(7)

Nonprestressed Concrete Prestressed Concrete

C0 N/A 2500 1.00 0.06 None

C1 N/A 2500 0.30 0.06 None

C2 0.40 5000 0.15 0.06 Concrete cover(8)

(7)
 ater-soluble chloride ion content that is contributed from the ingredients including water, aggregates, cementitious materials, and admixtures shall be determined
W
on the concrete mixture by ASTM C1218 at age between 28 and 42 days.
(8)
Concrete cover shall be in accordance with 20.6.

Table 1: Concrete Material Requirements (Based on ACI 318-14)

Durability Exposure Specified Max w/cm or Slump/

Nom. max Air Chloride Temp.
Member Mix ID Strength, Performance Slump
F S W C Aggregate, in. Content Limit Limits
ƒ´c , psi Alternative Flow

Footings

Foundation Walls

Slabs-on-grade

Exterior slabs

Suspended slabs (interior)

Suspended slabs (exterior)

Frame members

Columns (interior)

Columns (exterior)

Walls (interior)

Concrete toppings

to chloride penetration are selected (8). There is no technical merit in Select air content based on the durability exposure classification.
specifying a minimum cementitious content for corrosion protection of For hard-trowel finished slabs, specify that air content should not
reinforcement (9, 10). To minimize the potential for cracking, shrink- exceed 3.0%. The air content limit should be avoided for structural
age requirements can be considered. See section on Water Exposure lightweight members when equilibrium density is important for fire
for shrinkage test criteria. rating or design loads. Hard-troweled finishes can be obtained with
State the concrete material requirements as shown in Table 1. proper timing and procedures.
The required slump or slump flow (for SCC) of concrete will be
COMMENTS PERTAINING TO TABLE 1 selected by the contractor and notified to the architect/engineer. Slump
Specify strength that is the higher of that required for structural or slump flow during delivery shall be at the level documented with
design or durability based on assigned exposure class. Specify strength applicable tolerances in ASTM C94. Select water soluble chloride
at 28 days or other selected age. limits if concrete is exposed to exposure class C1, C2 or C3 as stated
Select water-cementitious materials ratio (w/cm) only if in-service in Appendix A.
durability exposure conditions are applicable to the structural mem- Select temperature limits as follows:
ber. Select the lowest w/cm as required for the durability Exposure (a) Concrete temperature as delivered shall not exceed [95°F]. If
Class assigned. Coordinate water-cementitious materials ratio with concrete delivered in hot weather with a temperature higher than
compressive strength. Consider performance alternatives to w/cm 95°F has been used successfully in given climates or situations, the
as suggested. higher temperature may be specified in place of the 95°F limit.
Select nominal maximum size of aggregate as the smallest based (b) In cold weather, concrete temperature as delivered shall not be
on (1) 1/5 narrowest dimension between sides of forms, (2) 1/3 depth less than [55°F for section size <12 in] [50°F for 12-36 in] [45°F
of slabs or (3) ¾ minimum clear spacing between reinforcement. for 36-72] [40°F for >72 in].

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 Table 4.1.2.9 – Minimum cementitious material content
(c) For mass concrete elements, maximum temperature of concrete requirements for floors (from ACI 301-16)
after placement shall not exceed 160°F; maximum temperature
difference between center and surface of placement shall not exceed Nominal Maximum Size of Minimum Cementitious
35°F. A thermal control plan that models lower risk of thermal Aggregate, in. Material Content, lb/yd 3
cracking can be used to permit higher temperature differential. ACI 1-1/2 470
308R suggests higher temperature limits are possible for concrete
1 520
mixtures containing SCMs. Thermal control plan is covered in
¾ 540
Section 8 of ACI 301-16.
3/8 610
Other Material Requirements
equilibrium density required by design. Correlate equilibrium density
Alkali Silica Reaction with the density of fresh concrete. Acceptance is based on equivalent
In accordance with ACI 301-16, for members not assigned to density of fresh concrete with a tolerance of ±4 lb/ft3. See Section 7.2
Exposure Class C0 use one of the three options below: of ACI 301-16.
(a) For each aggregate used in concrete, the expan­sion result determined
in accordance with ASTM C1293 shall not exceed 0.04 percent Requirements for Floors
at 1 year. In addition to strength and durability requirements, the minimum
(b) For each aggregate used in concrete, the expan­sion result of the cementitious content in accordance with ACI 301-16 may be specified,
aggregate and cementitious materials combination determined in primarily to ensure proper finishability. An alternate test slab place-
accordance with ASTM C1567 shall not exceed 0.10 percent at an ment can be specified in lieu of the limit on cementitious content.
age of 16 days.
(c) Alkali content in concrete shall not exceed 4 lb/yd3 for moder- Performance Requirement
ately reactive aggregate or 3 lb/yd3 for highly reactive aggregate. To minimize potential for mid-panel cracking and reduce potential
Reactivity shall be determined by testing in accordance with ASTM for curling, specify shrinkage requirements for concrete. See section
C1293 and categorized in accordance with ASTM C1778. on Water Exposure for shrinkage test criteria. Control of setting
characteristics can be addressed between the concrete contractor
Modulus of Elasticity and producer. A test slab placement or documentation of successful
When required, specify “Modulus of elasticity in accordance with past field history can ensure adequate workability and finishability.
ASTM C469 for specimens cured for 28 days (or other test age) shall These are effective performance alternatives to specifying prescrip-
be greater than ___ Million psi.” This is only specified when higher tive requirements such as paste content, combined aggregate grading
stiffness is required by design typically for deflection control. and limits on the quantities of SCM to address these properties. The
only way to confirm the effectiveness of a prescriptive requirement
Density of Light Weight Concrete is to evaluate the concrete performance! Often, prescriptive require-
When required, specify that the mixture be pre-qualified to achieve ments do not work the way they are intended. Further there are many
equilibrium density in accordance with ASTM C567. Specify the approaches to attain a given performance.

Summary of Performance Alternatives

Durability Exposure
Prescriptive Requirement Performance Alternative
Class/Property/MeNNumber

ASTM C672 Visual rating less than or equal to 2. Note that this test is
F3 SCM limits (ACI 318)
not very repeatable or necessarily representative of field performance.

S1, S2, S3 Cementitious types ASTM C1012 expansion criteria (ACI 318-14 Table 26.4.2.2(c)

ASTM C1202 less than:

W1, C2 w/cm (ACI 318) 2500 coulombs (for W1)
1000 coulombs (for C2)

Low alkali cement, SCM types and ASTM C1567 using combination of cementitious materials used in the
Alkali Silica Reaction
dosages, alkali content of concrete project – length change less than 0.10% at 16 days

Shrinkage (W1, C2, ASTM C157 (7 days lime water curing and dried for 28 days – length
w/cm
Concrete Floors) change less than 0.05%

Shrinkage – see above

w/cm, SCM limits, cement content,
Concrete Floors ASTM C403 initial setting time (contractor requirement)
paste volume, aggregate grading/shape
Test slab placement to ensure desired workability, finishability

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Appendix A
(ACI 318-14) Table 19.3.1.1 – Exposure categories and classes

Category Class Condition

F0 Concrete not exposed to freezing and thawing cycles
F1 Concrete exposed to freezing and thawing cycles with limited exposure to water
Freezing and thawing (F) F2 Concrete exposed to freezing and thawing cycles with frequent exposure to water
Concrete exposed to freezing and thawing cycles with frequent exposure to water and
F3
exposure to deicing chemicals
Water-soluble sulfate (SO42-) in soil, percent by mass(1) Dissolved sulfate (SO42-) in water, ppm(2)
S0 SO42-< 0.10 SO42-< 150
150 ≤ SO42-< 1500
Sulfate (S) S1 0.10 ≤ SO42-< 0.20
or seawater
S2 0.20 ≤ SO42-< 2.00 150 ≤ SO42-< 1500
S3 SO4 > 2.00
2-
SO42-> 10,000
Concrete dry in service
W0
In contact with water (W) Concrete in contact with water and low permeability is not required
W1 Concrete in contact with water and low permeability is required
C0 Concrete dry or protected from moisture
Corrosion protection of C1 Concrete exposed to moisture but not to an external source of chlorides
reinforcement (C) Concrete exposed to moisture and an external source of chlorides from deicing chemicals, salt, brackish water,
C2
seawater, or spray from these sources

(1)
Percent sulfate by mass in soil shall be determined by ASTM C1580
(2)
Concentration of dissolved sulfates in water, in ppm, shall be determined by ASTM D512 or ASTM D4130

(ACI 318-14) Table R19.3.1—Examples of structural members in Exposure Category F

Exposure
Examples
Class
• Members in climates where freezing temperatures will not be encountered
• Members that are inside structures and will not be exposed to freezing
F0
• Foundations not exposed to freezing
• Members that are buried in soil below the frost line
• Members that will not be subject to snow and ice accumulation, such as exterior walls, beams, girders and slabs not in
F1 direct contact with soil
• Foundation walls may be in this class depending upon their likelihood of being saturated
• Members that will be subject to snow and ice accumulation, such as exterior elevated slabs
F2 • Foundation or basement walls extending above grade that have snow and ice buildup against them
• Horizontal and vertical members in contact with soil
• Members exposed to deicing chemicals, such as horizontal members in parking structures
F3
• Foundation or basement walls extending above grade that can experience accumulation of snow and ice with deicing chemicals

References
1. ACI Committee 329, “Report on Performance-Based Requirements for Concrete (ACI 329R-14),” American Concrete Institute, Farmington Hills, MI, 2014, 46 pp.
2. Bickley, J., Hooton, R.D., Hover, K.C., “Preparation of a Performance-based Specification for Cast-in-Place Concrete,” RMC Research Foundation, January 2006,
http://www.rmc-foundation.org/images/Phase%20I%20Report%20Final%20January%202006.pdf, 155 pp.
3. NRMCA Research Engineering and Standards Committee, SIP 1-5, Specification in practices series, https://www.nrmca.org/aboutconcrete/sips/default.asp.
4. ACI Committee 318, “Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete (ACI 318-14) and Commentary (ACI 318R-14),” 2014, 519 pp.
5. ACI Committee 301, Specification for Structural Concrete (ACI 301-16), 2016, 64 pp.
6. ASTM C94, C157, C403, C469, C567, C618, C672, C989, C1012, C1202, C1218, C1240, C1293, C1556, C1778, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 4.02,
ASTM International, West Conshohocken, PA, 2016.
7. ASTM C150, C595, C1157, Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Volume 4.01, ASTM International, 2016.
8. Obla, K.H., Lobo C.L., and Kim, H., “Tests and Criteria for Concrete Resistant to Chloride Ion Penetration,” ACI Materials Journal, Vol. 113, No. 5, pp. 621-631.
9. ACI 329.XT-XX (Approved 2017), “Minimum Cementitious Materials Content in Specifications,” 4 pp.
10. Obla, K.H., Hong, R., Lobo C.L., and Kim, H., “Should Minimum Cementitious Contents for Concrete be Specified,” Transportation Research Record: Journal of the
Transportation Research Board, No. 2629, 2017, pp. 1–8.

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