SPECIFICATIONS: ARE THEY CLEAR, CORRECT, AND CURRENT?

Concrete specifications should clearly represent project requirements, with products, scope and execution phases clearly defined. This article provides guidelines on the key elements that should be included when writing a concrete specification. Two examples (specifications for parking structure slabs and industrial floors) are given to illustrate criteria that could be included in a specification. Specifications should address not only compressive strength and slump, but also properties such as water cement ratio, air content and flexural strength. Curing method and aggregate grading and content could also be included in a specification. Once a master specification has been written, it should be updated regularly to ensure that it remains current.