Use of Performance Specifications for Assessing Concrete Durability and Enabling Innovative Concretes

Historically, concrete specifications have been largely prescriptive in nature and often include restrictions on materials and proportions in addition to compressive strength. While these types of specifications often result in satisfactory performance, they often restrict the adoption of concrete because of the rapid advances that have taken place in concrete technology, such as new chemical admixtures and new types of cementitious materials. Unlike concrete materials, other construction materials are specified on the basis of performance, and while there is global interest in transitioning to performance specifications, adoption has been slow. This is partially related to a lack of knowledge of the performance parameters used to test and set appropriate acceptance limits for specifiers. The opportunities and challenges surrounding the adoption of performance specifications are discussed.