NRMCA Part of Maryland Concrete Conference

Organized by the Maryland Ready Mix Concrete Association (MRMCA) and partners, the conference drew 300 attendees. The following summarizes the highlights:

• The deputy state highway administrator indicated that the transportation funding was well supported in the state budget after a long dry spell and encourage participants to lobby for federal funding.

• Tom Evans, MRMCA, discussed a new state highway specification for pervious concrete, developed after considerable partnership between the agency and industry. Pervious concrete will be used in at least two park-and-ride projects.

• Chris Roumie, Essroc Cement, discussed the history of development and applications of photocatalytic cement that reduces pollution in the environment of the concrete structure.

• Colin Lobo, NRMCA, discussed the use of crushed concrete as aggregate in concrete. He discussed the evolution of AASHTO provisional standard MP-16, NRMCA research on use of crushed concrete aggregate from returned concrete, and some national (FHWA) and international initiatives to increase reuse of crushed concrete.

• Henry Prenger, Lafarge, provided a global perspective on the use of concrete pavements. He emphasized that good practices in various countries provide valuable information on successful practice.

• Gina Ahlstrom, FHWA discussed FHWA position on alternate bids considering life cycle cost analysis. Reference was made to NCHRP report 703 on current practice in states and issues to consider in alternate bids of different pavement types. 

• Bill Heape, Conewago, discussed successes with roller compacted concrete in Maryland.

• Shekhar Murkute, MD SHA, discussed a success story with concrete overlay on ramps at the intersection of MD 301 and Route 50. The overlays were generally completed with a weekend closure – 6 inch milled asphalt with 6 inch concrete overlay.

• James Cable, Cable Consultation, discussed paving in traffic situations in Iowa – suggesting that rapid concrete pavement construction is very feasible.

The Maryland Concrete Conference is an annual event that draws material suppliers, contractors, concrete producers, state, county, municipality and several other interested parties.

For more information, contact Colin Lobo at clobo@nrmca.org.