DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 3
CONCRETE
DIVISION 3
CONCRETE
Division 3 of the Carnegie Mellon University Design and Construction Standards Manual
addresses the following concrete standards related to University projects.
03001
03100
03200
03300
03310
03320
03346
03370
03455
CONCRETE
CONCRETE FORMWORK
CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT
CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE
CONCRETE HOUSEKEEPING PADS
CONCRETE TOPPINGS
CONCRETE FLOOR FINISHING
CONCRETE CURING
GLASS-FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 3
CONCRETE
03001 CONCRETE
All concrete material shall comply with the requirements and standards published by the
following:
• ASTM C 150
• National Ready-Mix Concrete Association (NRCA)
• American Concrete Institute (ACI)
 ACI 211.1, “Recommended Practice for Selecting Proportions for Normal and
Heavyweight Concrete”
 ACI 211.2, “Recommended Practice for Selecting Proportions for Structural
Lightweight Concrete”
 ACI 301, “Specifications for Structural Concrete for Buildings”
 ACI 310, “Building Code Requirements for Reinforced Concrete”
Concrete types for specific use shall be as follows:
Type I—Standard Portland cement for general construction.
Type II—Modified Portland cement for use in general concrete construction exposed
to moderate sulfate action, or where moderate heat or hydration is required, as for
heavy foundations and mass structures. Type II is often used in lieu of Type I in
locations with reactive aggregates.
Type III—High early strength Portland cement for use where high strengths are
required at an earlier age. Type III is often used in lieu of Type I in cold weather.
Air-entrained Portland cements are available in types I, II, and III. The cements contain
small quantities of air-entraining agents interground with the cement clinker during
manufacture.
Admixtures
Admixtures shall be employed only when necessary for use in a particular concrete, and
they shall be in accordance with manufacturer’s instructions.
Admixtures shall comply with ASTM C 494 and are classified as follows:
Type A Water-reducing
Type B Retarding
Type C Accelerating
Type D Water-reducing and retarding
Type E Water-reducing and accelerating
Type F High range water-reducing
Type G High range water-reducing and retarding
The use of chloride-containing admixtures is prohibited because it can cause detrimental
effects on embedded metals and degradation of concrete structures.
December 1998
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DIVISION 3
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
CONCRETE
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
As water reduction is almost always desirable, all concrete should require the use of a
water-reducing admixture and/or high range water-reducing admixture (superplasticizer).
03100 CONCRETE FORMWORK
This section addresses “architectural” cast-in-place finishes required by the design. These
include exposed formboard, embossing, molds, smooth surface, and other textures.
Cast-in-place finishes must be clearly detailed and specified as precisely as practicable.
The Design Consultant shall be responsible for the close coordination of all parties
having input to cast-in-place finishes.
There are a wide variety of special finishes or textures that can be imparted on ornamental
concrete using rubber, wood, plastic or plaster waste molds. Many of these are proprietary
design patterns; however, most of the major formwork accessory suppliers can provide
similar systems. In any case, special finishes or textures must be adequately detailed
and/or specified, so that there is no possible misunderstanding over the intent of design.
ACI Standard “Recommended Practice for Concrete Formwork” (ACI 347) provides
recommendations for materials, applications, and specifications for forming systems.
Recommended tolerances for footings and steps are as follows:
Footings:
• Variation in dimension in plan of minus 0.5 in. or plus 2 in. (applies to concrete only,
not to reinforcing bars or dowels)
•
Misplacement or eccentricity shall be 2% of the footing width in the direction of
misplacement but not more than 2 in. (applies to concrete only, not to reinforcing bars
or dowels)
Variation in steps:
• In a flight of stairs: rise=0.125 in., tread=0.25 in.
•
In consecutive steps: rise=0.0625 in., tread=0.125 in.
03200 CONCRETE REINFORCEMENT
All concrete reinforcing shall comply with the following standards:
• Concrete Reinforcing Steel Institute (CRSI), “Recommended Practice for Placing
Reinforcing Bars”
• CRSI, “Recommended Practice for Placing Bar Supports”
• American Welding Society (AWS) D 1.4, “Structural Welding Code - Reinforcing
Steel”
All concrete reinforcement shall comply with ASTM A 615. However, a minimum of 2
in. of cover over the reinforcing steel shall be maintained.
Reinforcing steel is generally of two types: bars and mesh. The bars must be deformed.
P. 3-4
December 1998
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
DIVISION 3
CONCRETE
Welded wire fabric shall always be two-way reinforcement with equal gage wire at equal
spacing.
The use of epoxy-coated reinforcing steel in severely exposed concrete membrane is
required.
03300 CAST-IN-PLACE CONCRETE
All cast-in-place concrete shall comply with the following standards:
• ACI 302, “Recommended Practice for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction”
• ACI 304, “Recommended Practice for Measuring, Mixing, Transporting, and Placing
Concrete”
• ACI 305, “Recommended Practice for Hot Weather Concreting”
• ACI 306, “Recommended Practice for Cold Weather Concreting”
• ACI 309, “Consolidation of Concrete”
• ACI 315, “Recommended Practice for Detailing Reinforced Concrete Systems”
• ACI 614, “Recommended Practice for Measuring, Mixing, Transporting, and Placing
Concrete”
• CRSI, “Reinforced Concrete - A Manual of Standard Practice”
Mix designs shall be submitted to the Design Consultant for approval prior to placing
concrete.
A sample panel of exposed concrete is required for both horizontal and vertical
components prior to the beginning of construction. The panels shall show all of the
various finishing techniques that are required in the structure, such as finishes, joints,
texture of formed material, and sandblasting. The concrete used shall be provided from
the project concrete supplier and shall represent the approved project mix in strength,
color, and texture.
Required Contractor-Provided Items
The Contractor shall provide the following items and construction methods required in
concrete construction:
• Required depth of cover reinforcing steel in critical sections and severe exposure
locations
• Expansion joint assemblies and structure movement
• Sealing and waterproofing requirements for protection of the structure and its
occupants
• Special concreting methods
• Design Consultant-approved repair techniques employed during the construction
process on such items as cracks, spalls, and honeycomb
• Construction joints and connections for maintenance and protection
• Required dimensions and sizes for embedded items
December 1998
P. 3-5
DIVISION 3
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
CONCRETE
•
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•
•
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FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Handrail and guardrail height, diameter, extension, mounting, and embedment
requirements
Coordination of the electrical and mechanical requirements for penetrations in slabs
and beams and across expansion joints
Drainage requirements for horizontal construction
Vapor barrier and waterstop utilization (see Division 7, Section 07200 Insulation and
Vapor Barriers)
Special concrete finishes, such as “heavy broom finish” for handicap access ramps
As defined in ASTM E 1155, “Standard Test Method for Determining Floor Flatness and
Levelness Using the ‘F-Number’ System (Inch-Pound Units),” flatness characterizes the
relative degree to which a surface conforms to a plane. Levelness characterizes the
relative degree to which a surface parallels the horizontal plane.
Floor specifications shall comply with “F” curve nomenclature. “F” curves shall be used
to specify both levelness and flatness. These curves are based on a large database that has
been statistically analyzed to generate these curves.
Flatness and Levelness Guidelines for Typical Applications
Min. Flatness
F-Number (FF)
Min. Levelness
F-Number (FL)
100
50
30
25
Pedestrian aisles, manufacturing areas,
plazas
20
17
Sub-floors receiving “thin”
coverings that will not mask the
sub-floor condition
Floors under vinyl, epoxy toppings, paint,
and carpeting
20
17
Sub-floors receiving “thick”
coverings that will mask the subfloor condition
Floors under concrete toppings (bonded
and unbonded), ceramic tile, and sand
bed terrazzo
15
13
Floor Use Category
Examples
Special use floors requiring
extraordinary flatness/levelness
Aisles in high bay warehouses, air pallet
areas, skating rinks, TV, or movie studios
Commercial/industrial use floors
requiring better than average
flatness/ levelness
Fork truck aisles, office areas employing
modular relocatable partition systems,
furniture display areas
Commercial/industrial use floors
having no special flatness/
levelness requirements
Field Testing
The University will employ material testing resources for items that normally require
field-testing services. The Design Consultant shall specify the frequency and type of
quality control testing required. The testing shall include, but not be limited to, all
structural members, footings, architectural concrete, sidewalks, and any combined
delivery over 20 yards of concrete. The University Project Manager shall be responsible
for the coordination of the field-testing.
All testing shall comply with the following standards:
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December 1998
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
•
•
DIVISION 3
CONCRETE
ACI 214, “Recommended Practice for Evaluation of Compression Test Results of
Field Concrete”
ACI 311, “Recommended Practice for Concrete Inspection”
Tests of air-entrained concrete shall be made to determine the percentage of air entrained
in the concrete. These tests shall comply with PennDOT, Section 704.1(c)1.
03310 CONCRETE HOUSEKEEPING PADS
Floor-mounted equipment, including specialty laboratory equipment such as nuclear
magnetic resonators (NMRs), shall be installed on concrete housekeeping pads. Pads
shall be isolated from the surrounding slab if vibration requirements warrant.
03320 CONCRETE TOPPINGS
Concrete toppings are often required for leveling existing concrete floors, for abrasion
resistance, and for areas where a special surface is required.
Floor toppings should be limited to a relatively thin, non-reinforced layer of 1 to 1.5 in.
thickness.
All concrete toppings shall comply with the following standards:
• ASTM C 779, “Standard Method of Tests for Abrasion Resistance of Horizontal
Concrete Surfaces” (when required)
• ACI 302-80, “Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction”
• The Euclid Chemical Co., Floor Systems Design Guide
03346 CONCRETE FLOOR FINISHING
A trowel finish shall be applied to monolithic slab surfaces that will be exposed to view.
Slab surfaces shall be covered with resilient flooring, carpet, paint, or another finishcoating system.
A trowel and fine broom finish shall be applied where ceramic or quarry tile will be
installed with thin-set mortar. The trowel finish shall be applied as specified and
immediately followed with a light surface fine-broom finish.
A non-slip broom finish shall be applied to exterior concrete platform, steps, and ramps
and in other areas as required. (See Division 2, Section 02525, Walkways, Steps, Ramps,
Curbs, and Gutters for guidelines for concrete sidewalk patterns.)
A chemical hardener finish shall be applied to interior concrete floors where indicated. A
liquid chemical hardener shall be applied after complete curing and drying of concrete
surface. Liquid hardener shall be diluted with water and applied in three coats in the
following strengths (parts of hardener/water): first coat – 1/3; second coat – 1/2; third
coat – 2:3.
Each coat shall be evenly applied, and allowed to dry for 24 hours between coats.
December 1998
P. 3-7
DIVISION 3
DESIGN AND CONSTRUCTION STANDARDS
CONCRETE
FACILITIES MANAGEMENT SERVICES
Proprietary chemical hardeners shall be applied in accordance with the manufacturer’s
printed instructions.
After the final coat of chemical-hardener solution is applied and dried, surplus hardener
shall be removed by scrubbing and mopping with water.
03370 CONCRETE CURING
The University requires the use of wet curing instead of curing compounds for structural
members, where practical.
The Contractor shall cure formed concrete surfaces, including the undersides of beams,
supported slabs, and other similar surfaces by moist curing in place of full curing or until
forms are removed.
The Contractor shall provide curing and sealing compound to exposed interior slabs and
if required, walks, and curbs. The Contractor shall apply specified curing and sealing
compound to concrete slabs as soon as final finishing operations are complete (within two
hours). Sealing compounds shall be applied uniformly in continuous operation by powerspray or roller in accordance with manufacturer’s directions. Areas subject to heavy
rainfall shall be recoated within three hours after initial application. Continuity of coating
and repair damage shall be maintained during the curing period.
The Contractor shall not use membrane-curing compounds on surfaces that are to be
covered with coating material applied directly to concrete, liquid floor hardener,
waterproofing, dampproofing, membrane roofing, flooring (such as ceramic or quarry tile
or glue-down carpet), painting, and other coatings and finish materials.
The Contractor shall final cure concrete surfaces to receive liquid floor hardener or finish
flooring using moisture-retaining cover, unless otherwise directed.
All curing and sealing compounds shall comply with the manufacturer’s instructions and
strict volatile organic compound (VOC) requirements.
03455 GLASS-FIBER REINFORCED CONCRETE
The use of fiber reinforcement for secondary reinforcement in structural plain concrete is
optional. The contractor shall refer to ASTM C 1116-89 “Standard Specification for Fiber
Reinforced Concrete and Shotcrete” for classification and designation of type.
The application shall be an approved and tested substitute for secondary wire
reinforcement for shrinkage and thermal crack control. The material used shall have been
evaluated by independent testing laboratories and shall have met or exceeded a value of 3
for performance level 1 of ASTM C 1116, 15 toughness index.
P. 3-8
December 1998