Concrete Testing Adherence and Collaboration Program

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November 3, 2023
To the Georgia Concrete Industry:
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The purpose of this letter is to introduce you to an initiative underway by the Georgia Ready Mixed Concrete Association (GRMCA). GRMCA is joining together with other concrete associations around the country to implement a program called Concrete Testing Adherence and Collaboration (CTAC). CTAC has the ultimate aim of finding solutions to achieve our common goals of sustainability, carbon neutrality, and continuous improvement. This approach focuses on bringing together those involved in concrete quality management processes to establish an unprecedented program for the routine auditing of ready mixed concrete field testing.

As you know, proper job-site testing of concrete is a critical step in determining the quality assurance for project owners and designers, and the evaluation of the performance capabilities of various concrete mixtures. However, it is not always known (or well recorded) if the testing is performed by properly certified technicians in adherence to the specifications and contract requirements. The condition and calibration of testing equipment, how samples are handled, transported, and stored for initial curing is also not always known or recorded.

While there are standards, training, and certification through the American Concrete Institute (ACI) and other programs, these standards do not provide any sufficient means to monitor the field application of testing procedures at all phases. Without a platform to gather this data, it is difficult to present necessary information to stakeholders that gives them complete confidence in results from the field testing. The absence of trustworthy data makes it impossible for there to be accountability which can effectively change improper testing practices. Such data and accountability will increase the accuracy obtained in test results and avoid costly outcomes when there is a critical misstep in the process of evaluating concrete performance. We believe that CTAC is the long sought-after tool that can be used for this purpose.
The CTAC program was developed in Colorado in 2015 and has now been endorsed by the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). Individual states are implementing through their state ready-mix associations, such as GRMCA. Under the CTAC program, GRMCA member companies will have ACI-Certified and experienced technicians who will be observing concrete field testing.
 

They will record their observations using a mobile app that asks 4 questions:

• Is the technician ACI Certified?
• Was the sampling performed per ASTM C 172?
• Were tests completed and strength specimens molded according to applicable standards?
• Were the samples stored in compliance with the standards for the initial curing environment, including temperature monitoring?

The purpose of the CTAC audit process is to help inform and educate, bringing together everyone responsible for the successful completion of concrete field testing for improvements within the process. The goal is to drive conversations, increase knowledge and understanding about the critical importance of proper field testing of concrete. CTAC will support our industry’s goals and objectives for sustainability and carbon reduction have a greater chance of being realized in the field.

We believe that by gathering the data of real-world conditions as they exist through CTAC data, we can help to better facilitate project team coordination prior to future concrete placements and testing.This will lead to overall accuracy in concrete mix evaluations and help avoid costly mistakes. This is a necessary factor of the industry’s goals for the future and in today’s challenging environment of materials for use in concrete.

The CTAC program is a tool used in identifying where collaboration and education is needed most urgently. The data gathered will help the industry better understand testing practices across the scope of responsibilities. The GRMCA will work with those interested in understanding the data gathered, explaining further the CTAC process, and will provide statistical data summaries with their members, specifiers, laboratories, and other stakeholders as requested. Those involved with CTAC, including GRMCA producer members, will have access limitations to the data. The data involving project specifics such as company, firm, names, and other key identifiers will not be shared across companies or firms. Data integrity is paramount for all stakeholders involved in our industry and for GRMCA to foster effective and honest collaboration using CTAC as a tool for conversation.

We want to make you aware of CTAC, since you may soon see technicians undertaking these observations. We would be happy to provide more information or answer questions. In addition, there is information on the CTAC website at www.concretetac.com.

Signed,
 

Bill Benzur, P.E. Executive Director
Georgia Ready Mixed Concrete Association