NRMCA Offers Help on Role of Performance-Based Specifications in Sustainable Concrete

NRMCA now has a Webinar recording, PDF presentation and design guidelines - each available for downloading - that outline how concrete performance can be improved while lowering the environmental footprint by implementing performance-based specifications.

Concrete is used in nearly every structure we build today, including buildings, bridges, homes and infrastructure. With greater emphasis placed on sustainability in recent years, engineers, architects, contractors and concrete producers are faced with the challenge of meeting traditional design criteria in addition to evolving criteria that support sustainable construction. Performance-based specifications for concrete can substantially help meet this new challenge. Prescriptive requirements such as minimum cement content or maximum water to cement ratio are among many common specification requirements that can increase the environmental footprint of concrete.