**[April 4, 2002 Mid-Atlantic States PCEF Meeting Minutes]{.underline}**

## Approval of Minutes from October 31, 2002 Meeting in Manassas, VA

Minutes from October 31, 2001 meeting approved.

## A) Subcommittee Status Reports by Chairmen

**1. Production/Construction (P/C)**

> **Group was advised that a Chairman for the Production/Construction
> Subcommittee was needed.**

Former Chairman developed a ballot on acceptable cracking in prestressed
concrete members. PCI is developing a Manual for repair of prestressed
concrete members. Five sections have been developed that include
identifying defects and how to repair a defect. The Manual should be
available within a year. Ed Wasserman of the Tennessee DOT is chairing
the effort to produce the Manual. PCI should make the Manual available
for review before its publication. Acceptable cracking in prestressed
concrete members should be included therein. The New England PCI group
is also working toward the same goal.

The PCEF subcommittee was also addressing other issues that included:
allowable strand sizes, use of draped or debonded strands, practices on
development lengths, concrete properties, ultimate and de-tensioning
values, minimum release hours, and maximum w/c ratio. Also, corrosion
protection efforts (additives, reinforcement, clearances), inspection
level of State inspectors, use of Consultants to conduct plant & on-site
inspections, inspection reciprocity by States, inspection
certifications, handling, storing and erecting members. Other possible
issues included use of self consolidated concrete, beam sweep, use of
SIP forms, tolerances and inspection guidelines.

To date, no results of the Subcommittee's work are available. After the
entire PCEF group evaluated the Subcommittee's efforts toward
prioritizing issues, it was decided to eliminate the strand size
criteria study and that tolerances were part of the QA/QC subcommittee's
work. Inspection criteria study will remain as part of the P/C
subcommittee's work, along with handling, storage and erection issues.
Since transportation issues are controlled by States' permitting
regulations, it was decided to also delete those aspects from being part
of the Subcommittee's work.

## 2. Materials & QC/QA

Draft 4 of the Specification Guidelines for Precast/Prestressed Concrete
Bridge Products had been distributed and discussed during the Manassas,
VA meeting. Sections 4.4 to 4.7 have been added into the Draft version,
including PCI requirements where appropriate. Committee members were
asked to review the Draft 5 distributed on this date, and to submit any
comments to the co-chairmen before the next Subcommittee meeting, which
will be held at the end of May. QA/QC issues will be addressed as a
separate effort.

Sections 4.4 to 4.7 include criteria on forming, finishing, stripping,
handling and storage. A discussion as to use of corrosion inhibitors in
grout mixes developed. This is especially true when dealing with post
tensioning and filling ducts with grout. There should be awareness when
dealing with grout mix specifications. It was suggested that grout mix
criteria should be a part of the guidelines.

An updated ballot taking into account the new sections 4.4 to 4.7, and
any pertinent discussions at the subcommittee's May meeting, will be
distributed to appropriate State DOT personnel for formal voting later
this summer.

B)  **Status Report by Each State DOT on Implementation of High
    Performance Concrete (HPC) and PCEF Bulb-T**

MDSHA -- no action yet on use of PCEF Bulb T; however, will continue to
investigate appropriate project with the State Bridge Engineer..
Studying a completed construction project, an HPC deck slab and use of a
7000 HPC psi mix for fabrication of AASHTO Type 4 girders.

DELDOT -- no action on use of PCEF Bulb T; have one deck project under
design that will utilize HPC.

NYSDOT -- use the New England Bulb T shape; will allow use of the PCEF
Bulb T as an alternate or re-design by the Contractor. 5 bridges built
last year with HPC -- 8 bridge projects underway -- have ongoing effort
to pre-approve HPC mix designs.

VDOT - have several projects in design using PCEF Bulb T. Some aspects
of HPC have been used. Bayshore Concrete Products still needs forms, and
is pushing for narrower width bottom flange.

PennDOT -- allowing Producers to use PCEF Bulb T, but no response yet
from Industry. HPC -- have used up to an 8000 psi prestressed concrete
HPC mix design. 2 HPC decks built that resulted in extensive cracking.

WVDOT -- no action on use of PCEF Bulb T. HPC being studied -- have
formed task group to study the use of HPC and PCEF bulb-T.

NJ DOT -- have included, in its Design Manual, guidance on the
availability of the PCEF Bulb T shape. 6 to 8 projects underway on use
of HPC for deck slabs. HPC will be primary deck slab type. Question was
raised on the Abrasion testing specification that is stated in the FHWA
HPC guidelines. ASTM C944, specified in FHWA guidelines, is not a test
method performed by most labs. Suggested that ASTM C779 should be
adopted as labs can more readily perform the ASTM C779 test. NJIT is
researching deck cracking for the DOT.

FLDOT -- looking at major projects to make form acquisition worthwhile.

NCDOT -- looking at deck cracking. Now use 54" and 72" PCI bulb-Ts. Have
built 2 HPC decks with AASHTO Type V girders.

The issue of deck cracking is still receiving much attention. In
addition to references from the States at this meeting, a national
pooled fund study is being solicited, with the KSDOT taking the lead.
Purpose of the effort will be to implement the most cost-effective
techniques for improving bridge deck life through reducing cracking.
Contact Dick McReynolds at KSDOT (785-291-3841, or <dick@ksdot.org>). A
1996 NCHRP Study #380, "Transverse Cracking in Newly Constructed Bridge
Decks" produced many findings on causes. This current study will
followup.

C)  **Self-Consolidated Concrete (SCC) -- Presentation by Dr. Celik
    Ozyildirim, VDOT**

Mr. Rod Meyers of Masterbuilders gave a general presentation on SCC, as
Dr. Ozyildirim was unable to attend. (Hard copy attached)

Also, a specific example of Virginia DOT's use of SCC was presented by
Mr. Paul Ramsburg of Oldcastle Precast. Findings and results were as
follows:

-   No deviations in slump test results were noted between using the
    slump cone upright and using it in the inverted position

-   W/c \< 0.40 should be easily attained

-   Do a cost comparison before using modified fine aggregate instead of
    a viscosity modifying agent

-   Good permeability results with SCC

-   No difference in freeze-thaw durability characteristics

-   Cores showed no segregation of the SCC mix

Producer benefits included: reduced cleanup efforts; faster placements;
vibrator noise eliminated; and 8 man-hours per day were eliminated.
Producer concerns included: need for training; need to maintain member
tolerances; moisture contents of concrete and aggregates need to be
monitored closely; and need to apply form release agent properly (excess
form oil creates bug holes).

Costs: Leaner mix was only \$1.45/cy more than conventional concrete
mix, and \$1.78/cy greater than normal concrete mix for Bebo arches. A
\$4-\$5 increase is seen in precast concrete prices.

NJDOT suggested that future discussions of SCC should address DOT
owners' experiences and benefits gained. States need to know that they
are getting equal or better quality at equal cost. Also, SCC looks
promising for design/build projects and for buildings.

PADOT has had positive experiences so far with initial testing of the
effects of long-term creep using SCC. MDSHA noted that control of mixing
water is critical for SCC. They and VDOT are developing specifications
for SCC. VDOT has submitted an SCC project to the FHWA Innovative Bridge
Research & Construction Program. DELDOT noted that placing and curing
requirements of SCC appear to be the same as for conventional concrete,
but that drop height issues need to be addressed. NC noted that there
might be application for SCC in drilled shafts.

## 

## 

## D) Subcommittee Status Reports by Chairmen

## 1. Subcommittee on Standardization

Subcommittee developed details on use of steel diaphragms for
prestressed concrete superstructures. Status of States' use of the
standard drawing was queried. Delaware DOT no use reported -- will study
use steel diaphragms. New Jersey has adopted a standard drawing that is
based on the Subcommittee's work. A proposal for the adoption of the
Subcommittee's standard drawing for use of steel intermediate diaphragm
for prestressed concrete superstructures was made. State representatives
voted to adopt the PCEF standard drawing. Representatives also voted to
adopt the Subcommittee's standard drawing for diaphragm layout.

Use of spliced girders, haunched girders and lightweight concrete will
be the next issues to be undertaken by the Subcommittee. A soon-to-be
completed NCHRP study on spliced girders will be evaluated by the group.
The group will also look at standard details for positive moment
connections.

**2. Subcommittee on Design Parameters (need Chairman)**

> Due to the lack of a Chairman for this group over the past couple of
> years, it was suggested that the Subcommittee be joined with
> Standardization Subcommittee.

**E) Precast Concrete Elements**

It was questioned whether the PCEF wished to address standardization of
precast concrete elements as part of their general efforts. The
committee had previously agreed that it would be a positive move to do
so. There are enough concerns for DOT's to look at, including noise
walls, drainage components, as well as other precast items. QA/QC is one
item to look at. Survey form will be developed to obtain input from
States. Issues such as technician certification would be an item that
can be studied. Reciprocity between States for approval of plants should
be studied. Industry's input would be critical. Delaware DOT and
Virginia DOT have limited interest. New York would show interest
dependent on type of structures looked at. New Jersey cautioned
direction of proposed study so that legal implications would be avoided.

**F) Other Issues**

February 11, 12, 13, 2003 are dates of the next Mid-Atlantic States
Quality Assurance Workshop, at the Holiday Inn in Charleston, WV. We
will tentatively target 2/13/03 as the date of next PCEF meeting in
Charlestown, West Virginia.