Concrete Alberta provides a number of Technical Bulletins designed to provide overviews of key topics of interest specific to our industry in Alberta, they include:
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #1:
Alkali Aggregate Reactivity
Sampling and evaluation of Alberta aggregates conducted over the past several decades have indicated that the majority of aggregate sources in this province, are potentially reactive in the presence of an alkali source – namely the alkalies from cements and some supplementary cementing materials. The majority of local aggregate sources tested to date have shown to be at least moderately reactive. As resources are depleted and new ones developed, an increasing number have been found to be highly reactive...
Alkali Aggregate Reactivity PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #2:
Coloured Concrete
In order to enhance the architectural features of concrete projects, designers can use colour. Concrete can be almost any colour desired beyond its standard grey. Pigments, shakes and stains are used to produce the range of colours. The colours can be used in conjunction with various textures including exposed aggregate, stamped and form liners...
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #3:
Curing Concrete
CSA A23.1 mandates some form of curing of all concrete under the standard, regardless of exposure class. CSA stipulates different types and periods of curing depending on the exposure class of the hardened finished product...
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #4:
Alternate Methods for Specifying Concrete
CSA A23.1 allows two different methods for specifying concrete; by Performance and by Prescription...
Alternate Methods for Specifying Concrete PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #5:
Concrete Mix Submittal Process
This Bulletin provides a brief overview of the mix design submittal process for the ready mix concrete industry including: project specifications & drawings, mix submittal type and concrete materials...
Concrete Mix Submittal Process PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #6:
Sulphate Resistant Concrete using Type HSe (Type HS Equivalent) Cement
“Kalicrete” (known today as Type HS cement) was developed and introduced to the Alberta market by the Canada Cement Company in 1930. It was purported to be the solution to placing concrete in high sulphate conditions. It has been employed very successfully for over 80 years. Today CSA A23.1 recognizes multiple approaches to providing durable cementing materials for long-lasting concrete for use in High Sulphate exposure conditions...
Sulphate Resistant Concrete using Type HSe Cement PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #7:
Retempering Concrete
A number of circumstances can create challenges to the producer to deliver a consistent product from one load to the next and occasionally loads need to be adjusted on site before placement in the forms. Standards and codes often limit the extent to which a load can be adjusted on site. As such accurate measurement and assessment of the relevant parameters of a load are crucial before selecting and implementing any measure to adjust the load...
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #8:
Reducing Ready Mixed Concrete Temperatures in Hot Weather
In summer months, the producer is often presented with an additional performance requirement, concrete temperature, which they are challenged to meet by the impact of ambient temperatures on the materials used to make ready mixed concrete. Concrete temperature affects the performance outcomes. However, several provisions can be put in place by the producer to address these challenges...
Reducing Ready Mixed Concrete Temperatures in Hot Weather PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #9:
Points for Consideration in Creating a Comprehensive Quality Control Plan for Concrete Producers
Determine the scope and purpose of your QC Plan. Consider what personnel, actions or processes are most critical for maintaining quality of concrete for your organization - it is these elements which should be written into a QC Plan...
Points for Consideration... PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #10:
Modulus of Elasticity
As current concrete construction market drivers continue to focus on sustainability, there is a trend toward achievement of higher performance using less raw materials. Structural design criteria in...
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #11:
ICF Concrete Placement Best Practices
Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) systems provide thermal mass benefit solutions to meet today’s building and energy codes. To ensure continuity in both structural integrity and thermal mass, close attention to every detail on pour day is...
Best Practices to Ensure Complete Filling of ICF PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #12:
Suitability of Insulated Coolers for Concrete Field Test Cylinders Initial Cure Period
Insulated coolers are often used as curing boxes for concrete field test samples, but can they be relied upon to store concrete test specimens used as a basis for acceptance, in a temperature and moisture controlled environment, free from any physical disturbance, in full compliance with CSA A23.2 -3C during the initial cure period?
Suitability of Insulated Coolers for Concrete Field Test Cylinders Initial Cure Period PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #13:
Concrete Consolidation by Vibration Fundamentals
Vibrating Concrete is the process of removing entrapped air pockets and consolidating concrete. Air bubbles develop when the fresh concrete is poured in the form. If entrapped air bubbles are not removed from the concrete mix, defects like honeycombing are often observed...
Concrete Consolidation by Vibration Fundamentals PDF
TECHNICAL BULLETIN #14
Sample Moisture Corrected Concrete Batch
Concrete Aggregate Moisture Content may be used to determine the moisture contents of representative in-production samples of concrete aggregates using hot plate, oven, or microwave to dry the aggregate. The moisture values obtained for each aggregate should...