NRMCA Teams with Kentucky on Roller Compacted Concrete Presentation

NRMCA Senior National Resources Director Phil Kresge recently joined Greg Smith of the Kentucky Concrete Pavement Association and Jim Render from NRMCA Producer Member Essroc - Italcementi Group in a presentation in Louisville, KY, on roller compacted concrete (RCC) to representatives from the Facility and Logistics Engineering Group at Kroger Company. Render gave an overview presentation focusing on the benefits of RCC, including competitive cost, speed of construction and durability. Kresge and Smith joined in the Q&A session that followed.

"There were several questions regarding design, reinforcement and load transfer, freeze-thaw durability," reports Kresge. "I encouraged them not to think of RCC in terms of concrete or asphalt, but rather as a third type of pavement. I think this helped them to better understand the concept of RCC."

Several existing RCC projects were identified; the engineers and project managers were then invited to visit the sites for a first-hand look. Kresge introduced the group to NRMCA’s Design Assistance Program and encouraged them to submit a project for design comparison.

Based in Cincinnati, Kroger Co. is the country's largest grocery store chain and the second-largest general retailer by revenue. Additionally, Kroger operates 40 manufacturing plants, and packages and sells items for other retailers under the Inter-American Products Company name. The Facility and Logistics Engineering Group is responsible for design, construction and maintenance of Kroger distribution centers across the country. Additionally, it is involved in design of all Kroger capital projects over $1 million. The group had expressed an interest in RCC as a cost-effective alternative to rising asphalt prices.