Important ASTM Updates

Staying up to date with changes to relevant ASTMs is important for every precast concrete company.

NPCA Staff Report

The guidelines set forth by ASTM committees relevant to the precast concrete industry are both vitally important and constantly evolving. To keep you informed, the technical department at NPCA has summarized recent updates and changes that may affect your business.

ASTM Committee C13 on Concrete Pipe

Over the past year, ASTM Committee C13 published two new standards of note to the precast concrete industry.

The first is ASTM C1765 – 13, “Standard Specification for Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe.” This standard provides specific manufacturing and testing procedures for using steel fibers as the primary reinforcement in precast concrete pipe.

The other is ASTM C1786 – 14, “Standard Specification for Segmental Precast Reinforced Concrete Box Sections for Culverts, Storm Drains, and Sewers Designed According to AASHTO LRFD.”  This standard covers the production and testing of precast concrete box components used to make a complete box section for water conveyance or applications suitable by a design engineer.

Committee C13 will be meeting Sept. 14, 15 and 16, 2015, in Baltimore, Md. On Dec. 7, 2016, C13 will host a technical symposium on new technology for concrete pipe and box culvert in Orlando, Fla. The committee is looking for abstract submittals. ASTM members can find information at myastm.astm.org.

Committee C13 work items of interest are:

• WK34664, “New Specification for Vacuum Testing after Backfill”
• WK37666, “New Specification for Standard Specification for Manufacture of Precast Reinforced Concrete Three-Sided Structures for Culverts and Storm Drains Designed According to AASHTO LRFD”
• WK45299, “New Practice for Standard Practice for the Installation of Underground Circular Precast Reinforced Concrete Manhole Sections”
• WK47646, “New Specification for Standard Specification for Production of Dry Cast Concrete Used For Manufacturing Pipe, Box and Precast Structures”
• WK49549, “New Specification for Rigid Synthetic Fiber Reinforced Concrete Culvert, Storm Drain, and Sewer Pipe”

ASTM Committee C27 on Precast Concrete Products

During 2014 ASTM Committee Week meetings, ASTM Committee C27 approved an important design standard regarding fabricated metal access hatch specifications to minimize maintenance expense and improve public safety. ASTM C1802 – 14e1 is the first specification in the precast concrete industry that covers design, testing, manufacturing, selection and installation of fabricated metal access hatches for utility, water and wastewater structures. Hatches covered under this standard are a vital component of all utility distribution systems, providing vertical access to junctions and equipment for electric, telephone, cable, fiber optic, water and wastewater. 

The next C27 Committee meeting will be Dec. 8-9, 2015 in Tampa, Fla.

Committee C27 work items of interest are:

• WK828, “New Specification for Precast Concrete Burial Vaults and Graveliners”
• WK18978, “New Terminology for Relating to Precast Concrete Products”
• WK21780, “New Practice for Minimum Structural Design Loading for Precast Concrete Burial Vaults and Graveliners”
• WK38192, “New Specification for Wet-Cast Precast Modular Block Retaining Wall Units”

ASTM Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates

ASTM Committee C09 meets twice a year during ASTM Committee Weeks. The next scheduled meeting is Dec. 6-9, 2015, in
Tampa, Fla.

Committee C09 work items of interest are:

• WK35250, “New Practice for Standard Practice for Fiber Reinforced Concrete for Making and Curing Test Specimens in the Laboratory and Field”
• WK39876, “New Specification for Returned Fresh Concrete for Use in a New Batch of Ready-Mixed Concrete”
• WK42461, “New Test Method for Density (Unit Weight) and Air Content (Pressure Method) of Freshly Mixed Roller-Compacted Concrete”
• WK37034, “Revision to C33/ C33M – 11a Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates.” ASTM C33 does not currently recognize aggregates that are recycled. The proposed change adds language that recycled aggregates will be acceptable under ASTM C33 and its requirements.
• WK41823, “Revision to C39 Standard Test Method for Compressive Strength of Cylindrical Concrete Specimens to Incorporate a Procedure for Unbonded Caps.”

Contact NPCA’s technical services department for clarification or more information on any of these updates, to learn how to become involved or if you have any other questions about ASTM standards relevant to the precast industry. Contact information can be found at precast.org/technical-services.