An overview on performance engineered mixtures (PEMs), and where things stand on a 5-year plan to advance this important quality initiative:
Based on a meeting the week of November 20, 2019 in Minneapolis, Minnesota, the first part of this article provides an overview of the PEM vision. The second part will be in the near future …
A performance engineered mixtures (PEM) technical advisory committee (TAC) meeting was held the week of November 20, 2019 which gave stakeholders the opportunity to share updates and information on activities related to this broad quality initiative. Meeting attendants included the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), state transportation officials, the Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center), Portland Cement Association (PCA), National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA), and several chapters of the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA).
The PEM vision is to develop a better way of accepting concrete for paving which includes:
• Choosing parameters that matter more to durability
• Finding tools to measure them (including some new tests)
• Choosing appropriate test limits
• Developing protocols for applying the tests properly in terms of purpose, consistency and repeatability
The PEM program is trying to improve the delivery of concrete pavements that lower the risk of premature material failures, while allowing for contractor innovation, adaptability for local conditions and an appropriate level of inspection/testing.
Although the PEM program is focusing on mixtures, it also includes consideration of state quality programs and contractor construction practices. At nearly halfway into the 5-year program, some important guidelines have been prepared, and a provisional standard—AASHTO PP84—has also been developed. (To be continued…)
For the original article on the ACPA website, please go to: http://www.acpa.org/tag/best-practices/
Photo: Choosing appropriate test limits and developing protocols for applying tests is an essential part of the PEM initiative. (Photo by ACPA staff)