An Overview of the Application of Performance Based Specifications in Concrete Construction Projects

9 pages•Published: December 11, 2023

Abstract

Construction projects use prescriptive codes to regulate multiple stages of concrete construction activities. Prescriptive codes are suitable for design-bid-build projects as it provides sufficient details for different project parties. Despite of its advantage, prescriptive codes represent an impediment to the potential improvement of concrete mix characteristics, including immediate mix properties, long-term performance, and concrete sustainability due to the restrictions imposed on material selection, constituent proportions and batching and mixing procedures. To improve construction projects quality and long-term performance, current federal legislatures focus on the replacement of prescriptive codes with performance-based specifications, where the concrete mix is designed and optimized to attain specific long-term performance criteria decided according to the project service conditions. This research paper presents the possible outcomes of utilizing performance-based specifications in replacement of prescriptive codes in concrete construction; and presents the changes to be adopted in project quality control procedures to ensure its successful implementation in future projects. The results of this research show that performance-based specifications are advantageous in fast-track projects, including design-build project delivery. Concrete mixes produced according to performance-specs have superior long-term performance characteristics, higher durability, and improved sustainability. Due to the increased durability, structural concrete designed and poured using performance specs need lower maintenance intervention, which reduce construction projects life cycle cost.

Keyphrases: durability, life cycle cost., long term performance, performance based specs, prescriptive codes

In: Tom Leathem, Wes Collins and Anthony Perrenoud (editors). Proceedings of 59th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference, vol 4, pages 695-703.

Links:	https://easychair.org/publications/paper/RmjJ
	https://doi.org/10.29007/5j4n

BibTeX entry

@inproceedings{ASC2023:Overview_Application_Performance_Based,
  author    = {Amin Akhnoukh},
  title     = {An Overview of the Application of Performance Based Specifications in Concrete Construction Projects},
  booktitle = {Proceedings of 59th Annual Associated Schools of Construction International Conference},
  editor    = {Tom Leathem and Wes Collins and Anthony Perrenoud},
  series    = {EPiC Series in Built Environment},
  volume    = {4},
  publisher = {EasyChair},
  bibsource = {EasyChair, https://easychair.org},
  issn      = {2632-881X},
  url       = {/publications/paper/RmjJ},
  doi       = {10.29007/5j4n},
  pages     = {695-703},
  year      = {2023}}

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