Duluth Ready Mix Concrete
"DRM" was selected to supply St. Mary Medical Center Parking Ramp with high
performance durable concrete for a long term durability of the parking ramp. To meet this
project challenge DRM hired Jaber Engineering Consulting, Inc., to design the concrete
mixtures and perform the pre-construction testing and trial batches for this durable
concrete.
JEC performed material engineering design and
performed the following
- Design the concrete mixtures based on ACI guidelines and the performance history of the
concrete ready mix plant.
- Perform field observation, concrete testing and
field quality control.
- Provide a summary report of the trial batches and test results.
- Prepare a final report for approval by the owners representative.
JEC designed six concrete mixtures containing the mineral admixture Silica Fume (to
improve durability and reduce permeability and absorption) and Calcium Nitrate-based
Corrosion Inhibitor DCI to inhibit reinforcing bar corrosion in the concrete.
The concrete mixtures had compressive strengths between 6,000 to 8,000 psi and water
cement ratio ranging from 0.34 to 0.38.
Extensive testing was performed to confirm the high performance properties of the
concrete mixtures. This included air void analysis, chloride ion content, chloride
permeability, nitrate testing, compressive strength and aggregate testing.
