Applications

Agriculture

• Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC) in Agriculture

  Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC), also referred to as self-compacting concrete, is able to flow and consolidate on its own. At the same time, it is cohesive enough to fill spaces of almost any size and shape without segregation or bleeding. This makes SCC particularly useful wherever placing is difficult, such as in heavily reinforced concrete members or in complicated formwork.

  SCC is highly flowable, non-segregating concrete that can spread into place under its own weight to fill formwork and encapsulate extremely congested reinforcing steel with little or no mechanical vibration.

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• Ontario Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs
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• Canadian Farm Builders Association

  The Canadian Farm Builders Association was formed by a group of farm building contractors who initially met on February 5th, 1980. This group of builders saw a need to establish uniformity and standards in the farm building industry. CFBA members have access to ongoing educational opportunities and advisories as well as communications regarding regulations and best practices.

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• Agricultural Concrete Requirements
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Insulating Concrete Forms (ICF)

• Insulated Concrete Forms (ICF) and Thermal Mass

  Increasingly, home builders are turning towards a variety of construction methods to improve thermal performance while reducing the cost of construction. While Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) technology dates back to the late 1960s in Europe, ICF construction has only caught on in North America for use in residential and commercial construction over the last two decades (Hersh Servo AG, 2010). Generally modern ICFs consist of stackable formwork made of expanded polystyrene foam, which is filled on site with concrete, and then remains in place to provide permanent insulation. ICF technology offers the potential to improve air tightness and energy performance over the current practice of wood frame construction. With the growing presence of ICF construction in the market, it is important to gain an understanding of their actual performance in the field, and the role played by the thermal mass of the concrete in regulating heat losses

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Industrial Commercial Institutional (ICI)

• OCCDC Simple Design Rules that can Reduce Project Costs

  Reinforced concrete is the material of choice for Architects and Engineers due to the fact that it can be sculpted into any shape or form while also acting as the primary structural support for any type of structure. While reinforced concrete is already a very cost effective building material, the designer can realize additional cost savings during the preliminary design stage of the project if they consider the following simple design rules.

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• OCCDC Reinforced Concrete Reference Guide

  Reinforced concrete is the material of choice for architects and engineers due to the fact that it can be sculpted into any shape or form while also acting as the primary structural support for any type of structure. While reinforced concrete is already a very cost effective building material, the designer can realize additional cost savings during the preliminary design stage of the project based on various formwork, concrete and reinforced steel considerations.

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• OCCDC – Advantages of Reinforced Concrete Building Frame Systems

  The advantages of reinforced concrete building framing systems by the Ontario Cast-in-Place Concrete Development Council (OCCDC).

  Reinforced concrete is the best choice for the building framing system based upon the following advantages – Fast-track construction, cost savings, structural advantages, environmental considerations, local economy benefits and design support software.

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Mix Design Submission Process

• Municipal Engineers Association/RMCAO Confidentiality Agreement

  It is the intent of this Agreement to protect the proprietary rights and intellectual property of the Concrete Producer involved as the concrete supplier in projects for engineered structures tendered now or in the future by the Municipality in the Province of Ontario

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• Municipal Engineers Association- Form B

  Municipal Engineers Association – Form B

  Concrete Mix Design Submission (Form B)

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• Municipal Engineers Association – Form A

  Municipal Engineers Association – Form A

  Concrete Mix Design Submission (Form A)

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• MTO Regional Heads of Quality Assurance

  Submission of Concrete Mix Design Form B

  Regional Head of Quality Assurance – MTO

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• Ministry of Transportation – Concrete Mix Design Submission – Form B
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• Ministry of Transportation – Concrete Mix Design Submission – Form A
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• Concrete Ontario Mix Design Submission Form
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Parking Lots

• NRMCA – Designing Quality Concrete Parking Areas

  The parking area of a building has become an integral part of total site development. Examined within the broad context of a building’s construction and financing, the value of concrete for parking areas and the advantages to the building owner become evident: Competitive first cost, Low life-cycle cost, Upscale appearance, Higher reflectivity means improved safety , Environmentally friendly Key role in sustainable development.

  To achieve these benefits it is important to follow some basic costsavings guidelines

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Pavements

• What you should know about Concrete Pavements

  What you should know about concrete pavements. Value, safety, durability, smoothness and pavement properties

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• Street Smart Report (Applied Research Associates Inc.)

  Methodology for the development of equivalent pavement structural design matrix for municipal roadways. Including maintenance and rehabilitation schedules and life cycle cost analysis.

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• Concrete Pavement Specifiers Guidelines, Municipal Edition

  Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement refers to the rigid concrete layer of the pavement structure that is in direct contact with the traffic. Typical concrete is composed of coarse aggregate (crushed stone and gravel), fine aggregate such as sand, Portland cement, admixtures and water. Concrete can be modified in a number of ways, including the addition of cementitious materials such as Slag or Fly Ash (which are materials that are added to the mixture to enhance the properties of the fresh or hardened concrete) keeping them from landfill sites. Once the concrete has been mixed, it is placed on a prepared base coarse, consolidated and shaped. In pavement construction, three different concrete pavement design types are commonly used: jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP), jointed reinforced concrete pavements (JRCP), and continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP). Each of these design types can provide long‐lasting pavements that meet or exceed specific project requirements. Each type is suitable for new construction, reconstruction, and overlays (resurfacing) of existing roads.

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• Concrete Pavement – Save you Money and the Environment

  To address Responsible Materials Procurement, the RMCAO in consultation with Ontario Ministry of Environment, has developed the ECO Certification to provide Owners and Users with the highest degree of assurance that the concrete facility, company and products address sound and responsible Environmental and Sustainable Development Facilities management, operations and manufacturing practices that support their sustainable choice of concrete.

  REDUCE, REUSE and RECYCLE Concrete manufacturing recycles industrial by‐products (Slag, Fly Ash, Silica Fume) that otherwise would have been sent to landfills. Non‐renewable resources (aggregates) are reduced with the use of crushed concrete and potable water is conserved by reusing process water.

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Pervious Pavements

• T-040R Technical Bulletin – Standard Test Method for Porosity Measurements of Portland Cement Pervious Concrete
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• T-035 Technical Bulletin – Standard Test Method for Determining Plastic Density

  Since pervious concrete is a relatively new concrete product that is used for stormwater management, there are currently a large number of potential test methods that can be used to evaluate this product. One of the key material evaluation methods is to determine the plastic density of the product during the pervious concrete trial placement, and to then compare that result to the actual product density during the final project placement. A plastic density acceptability criterion of ± 80 kg/m3 is then used as the primary quality control acceptance and rejection tool on the jobsite during the pervious concrete placement.

  Since multiple density test methods exist, it is important that a standardized test method be selected prior to the start of the project. ASTM is currently in the process of finalizing a new test method for determining the density of plastic pervious concrete. The test method that they have selected was based upon conducting a round robin testing program and comparing the results of 6 different consolidation methods performed by 6 different concrete testing laboratories. The resulting draft test method was then selected based upon the high level of repeatability between testing laboratories and the ease of implementation of this test method on construction projects.

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• Pervious Concrete: When it Rains…it Drains

  Stormwater runoff occurs when rain falls in urban areas. This runoff causes increased pollution in rivers and streams, flash floods and loss of rainwater that could otherwise replenish water tables and aquifers. Pervious concrete has a 15– 25% void structure in the hardened concrete. Typically, flow rates of 200 litres of water per minute pass through each square metre of previous pavement but flow rates can be substantially higher. This is far more water than is normally generated during most rain storms.1 Pervious concrete puts rainwater back in the ground where it belongs.

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• Pervious Concrete Specifier’s Guidelines

  This sample guideline provides suggested wording for the construction of pervious concrete pavements including: materials, preparation, forming, placing, finishing, jointing, curing, and quality control. It also provides guidelines for testing, evaluation, and acceptance of pervious concrete pavement systems.

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Residential

• What Every Homeowner Should Know about Concrete

  In its simplest form, concrete is a mixture of paste (cement & water) and aggregates (sand & stone). The paste coats the surface of the fine (sand) and coarse (stone) aggregates and binds them together into a rocklike mass known as concrete. In addition to paste and aggregates, concrete may also contain highly specialized chemical admixtures that enhance the specific properties of concrete. Chemical admixtures are used to improve both the workability and/or the durability of concrete. Within this process lies the key to a remarkable trait of concrete: it is plastic and can be molded or formed into any shape when newly mixed, and is strong and durable when hardened. These qualities explain why concrete is a primary building material throughout the world that is used to construct everything from skyscrapers, bridges, highways and dams to sidewalks, curbs, patios and houses.

  The key to achieving a strong, durable concrete for your projects are as follows: utilizing high quality raw materials, ordering the proper concrete for application, skillful placement and finishing and following proper curing practices and protecting the concrete.

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• Residential Concrete Requirements

  The minimum requirements for residential concrete are outlined in the Ontario Building Code (OBC) and CSA A23.1 – Concrete Materials & Methods of Concrete Construction.

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• In-Floor Radiant Heating

  As a greater number of homeowners are using new and innovative concrete systems to construct their homes, they are also investing in “In-Floor Radiant Heating”. This heating system provides the homeowners with an extremely comfortable home because it delivers heat in a way that the human body is exclusively designed to appreciate. In-floor radiant heating typically consists of a hydronic system that uses hot water to warm your house. Unlike conventional forced air heating systems, radiant heating utilizes tubing placed in the concrete floor to disperse heat throughout the room.

  The recent increase in the use of this heating system is due in large part to the type of comfort it offers. Conventional heating systems first heat the air in the room, which is then circulated via convention currents throughout the home. The bodies direct contact with the heated air then provides the warmth to the occupants. However, with an in-floor radiant heating system, the heat is not used to warm the air in the house, instead the heat moves directly to the objects in the room. A common explanation of the difference between the two heating systems is the example of warming your hands in front of a crackling fire (radiant heat) versus warming your hands with a hair dryer (convection).

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• De-icing Salt Usage

  In Ontario, homeowners have to deal with snow and ice accumulation on their driveways in the winter months. What is the best way to clear them off without damaging the concrete surface? Most homeowners will simply throw de-icing salts bought from local hardware stores on their driveway, without considering if this is the best practice for their investment. Here is a list of dos and don’ts for concrete driveway winter care:

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• Concrete Driveway Maintenance

  Architects and home builders strive to create houses with new designs to appeal to home buyers. However, one frequently overlooked component is the driveway. Yet, it is the ultimate welcome mat to a home. It gives the first impression of the house and its owner. A concrete driveway is a symbol of quality. It is a great investment, as a properly built concrete driveway should last at least 30 years with minimal maintenance required. Other paving options require frequent maintenance and need to be replaced approximately every 10 years.

  Once the concrete driveway is cured and sealed, it is virtually weatherproof. Snow build-up can be easily removed, and potholes and ruts will not develop, preventing puddles after the rain or snow melts. A concrete driveway is also cooler in the summer and brighter at night as it is lighter in colour and reflects the heat and surrounding light, creating a safer environment around the home. A proper concrete mix and proper finishing practices are critical in the final performance of the driveway. There are many resources available to ensure a home builder or a home buyer gets a quality concrete driveway.

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Self Consolidating Concrete

• Best Practices Guidelines for Self-Consolidating Concrete (SCC)

  While SCC has been commercially available for over 10 years in the Ontario marketplace, some owners, consultants and contractors have yet to utilize this product on their own projects. Since SCC has such dramatically improved placement and finishing properties, there is a need for new users to spend some time becoming familiar with the product prior to concrete placement.

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