USE OF REGULAR AGED TESTING OF MODERN MIXES OF GRC TO JUSTIFY A HIGHER ACCEPTABLE DESIGN STRESS IS LONG OVERDUE
GRC was first developed in the 1950’s by the Building Research Establishment UK. Pilkington Bros developed its commercial application in the 1960’s.
Since that time engineers have always given appropriate consideration to long-term loss of strength due to fibre creep. 60 years later, designers still use the same rules originally developed. However, mix design has come a long way in the last 60 years. It is time that engineers reflect that improvement in their design.
“Codes have always been for the guidance of wise men, but that should not hinder development.” Charles Rickard was technical secretary for the first edition of The Australian Code of Practice (NPCAA) in 1999. It makes special provision to do this. Every company should do this for their own product.
The conservativeness of existing codes can then be avoided because all the codes give latitude to incorporate innovative design, if suitably justified. The common use of Metakaolin, Polymers & greater refining in blending demands recognition in our engineering analysis.
I am now working with two of my GRC clients in Australia to undertake aged testing of their mixes in order to reflect the improvement of performance achieved by their design mixes.
Should you require any further information, please do not hesitate to contact Charles Rickard at Rickard Engineering. Details below.
CONTACT INFO
- Suite 5, 121 Military Road, Neutral Bay NSW 2089, Australia
- 02 9904 5610
- Enquiries for GRC: charles@rickardengineering.com
- For all other Enquiries: christine@rickardengineering.com
Regards,
Charles Rickard