NRMCA Producer member Tilcon-Connecticut's Technical Services Manager-Concrete Division Kevin Miller, who is also the current president of the Connecticut Ready Mixed Concrete Association, recently spoke with a local civil engineer who was seeking help with understanding concrete pavement design for a national firm’s large distribution center to be built in the state. This facility would be subjected to significant heavy truck traffic and point loads from forklifts and trailers which through the firm's experience has caused severe deterioration to asphalt and why it sought a better understanding of the proper design of concrete pavements. Miller then offered the resources of NRMCA and asked Senior Director, National Resources, Doug O’Neill to contact the firm.

"For an engineer in the Northeast to be so willing to listen, eager to learn and positive that concrete can be the solution to his concerns is really encouraging," said O’Neill.

The concrete team learned that the geo-technical engineer on the project had been involved in several large concrete pavement projects before, but did not have the confidence to offer recommendations that were in tune with current concrete design practices. The civil engineer wanted a more competitive design and reached out to Tilcon for suggestions. This project has been submitted to NRMCA’s Design Assistance Program and is currently under review by the design team. "The exciting story here is that engineers are recognizing the benefits of concrete pavements and are searching for answers. The more we are out there in front of them, the more solutions we can offer," O'Neill said.

For more information, contact Doug O’Neill at doneill@nrmca.org.