Question:
Are there quantitative measurements for HPC?
Answer:
The most common measurement for HPC is concrete compressive strength. The American Concrete Institute recognizes that concrete with a specified compressive strength of 6000 psi (41 MPa) or greater is a high strength concrete and, therefore, a high performance concrete. However, there are many other measurements that can be used to specify HPC. For structural properties, these may include tensile strength, modulus of elasticity, shrinkage, or creep. For durability, performance can be measured using freeze-thaw resistance, de-icer scaling, abrasion resistance, or chloride permeability. Concretes may also require a special density or low heat of hydration. The goal is to specify quantifiable performance to match the intended application. In many cases, this will mean that performance requirements other than strength will be specified. For more information on this topic, go to FHWA’s HPC web site and open “Grades of Concrete.”