Mass Concrete
Mass Concrete
(OP)
Is there an industry-accepted definition of what constitutes a "mass concrete" pour? Can a designer require a mass concrete mix design without telling the contractor which pours are mass concrete pours? Or should a contractor be expected to know which pours are mass concrete pours based on dimensions, etc.?





RE: Mass Concrete
You know the more job specific information you provide in your contract documents, the better the prices are going to be and the fewer problems you will have during the project.
RE: Mass Concrete
Try www.aci-int.org
RE: Mass Concrete
If any rebar is planned, the pouring, better, the structural system, item, or even "material"- can't be thought as mass concrete according to the code.
RE: Mass Concrete
For SC bridges, we don't have to specify because the definition is in the SCDOT Standard Specs. However, if your project is subject to codes that do not address a mass concrete pour, and if internal cracks could be detrimental to the concrete member, I think you would be responsible for dictating how that pour is made (concrete specification, and limits of temp. differentials - and how these are to be tested or controlled).
Many mass concrete pours will have rebar (at least nominal) and for members such as drilled shafts, there may be significant rebar. Although the rebar is near the exterior, there is still a concern about internal cracks/flaws in the interior of the section.
good luck.