Sisters Of Mercy Health System (“Mercy”) 2009Feb25

MASTER SPECIFICATIONS (2009Mar09)

SECTION 03 31 01 – MICROSILICA CONCRETE

PART 1 - GENERAL

1.1 RELATED DOCUMENTS

A. Drawings and general provisions of Contract, including General and Supplementary Conditions
and Division-1 Specification sections, apply to work of this section.

1.2 DESCRIPTION

A. Provide all materials, labor, equipment, and services necessary to furnish and install cast-in-place
microsilica concrete in accordance with the Drawings and Specifications. Microsilica concrete is
limited to the structural flatwork, slabs, beams, and girders.

1.3 SUMMARY

A. Other concrete work included in section 03310, including formwork, reinforcing, accessories,
etc., and all items necessary to complete the structure.

1.4 QUALITY ASSURANCE

A. Refer to concrete section.

1.5 SUBMITTALS

A. Refer to concrete section, additionally: Submit Manufacturer's product data sheets for microsilica
admixture.

B. Submit laboratory reports for all concrete materials. Submit name and location of primary
manufacturing source of cement, aggregates, admixtures and microsilica proposed for use on the
project.

C. The microsilica admixture manufacturer shall make available a qualified individual to assist the
Contractor and Engineer as specified in this Section. The manufacturer's representative shall be
experienced in the placement of microsilica concrete. The qualifications of the manufacturer’s
representative shall be submitted to and reviewed by the Engineer. The manufacturer’s
representative must be approved by the Engineer before any work under this item can begin.

D. Contractor shall submit microsilica concrete mixture proportions to the Engineer two weeks prior
to placing microsilica concrete. Proportion mixtures as defined in ACI 301 Article 3.9, except
that microsilica concrete proportions shall only be established on the basis of laboratory or field
trial batches. Required average compressive strength shall be determined in accordance with
Table 3.9.2.2 of ACI 301. The microsilica admixture manufacturer’s representative prior to
submittal to the Engineer shall review mixture proportions. Include the following information for
each microsilica concrete mixture:

1. Grading of fine and coarse aggregates.

2. Proportions of all ingredients including all admixtures added either at the time of batching
or at the job site.
3. Water-cement ratio and water- (cement + silica fume) ratio.

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4. Slump - ASTM C143.

5. Air content of freshly mixed microsilica concrete by the pressured method, ASTM C 231, or
the volumetric method, ASTM C 173.
6. Unit weight of microsilica concrete - ASTM C 138.
7. Compressive strength at 3, 7, and 28 days - ASTM C 39.
8. Contractor shall submit the following at the preconstruction meeting:

a. Proposed procedures for placing, finishing, and curing microsilica concrete.

b. Proposed procedures for protecting microsilica concrete from drying and plastic
shrinkage cracking during the placing and finishing process.
c. Proposed procedures for protecting fresh microsilica concrete from rain or other
adverse weather.

PART 2 - PRODUCTS

1.1 MATERIALS

A. Refer to concrete section and in addition provide the following:

1. Microsilica Admixture

a. "FORCE 10000” by W.R. Grace Co., or

b. "RHEOMAC SF 100” by Master Builders

1) Microsilica shall come from the same source throughout the project. If a single
primary source of microsilica cannot be maintained throughout a project, the
laboratory testing of proposed sources shall be conducted before a change in the
primary source shall be approved. This laboratory testing shall demonstrate to
the satisfaction of the Engineer that use of microsilica from the proposed source
will cause no detrimental changes in microsilica concrete performance. Such
testing shall be at no cost to the owner.

2. Moisture-Retaining Cover

a. Moisture-retaining covers shall be one of the following, complying with ASTM C171.

1) Waterproof paper.
2) Polyethylene film.
3) Burleen

3. Evaporation Retarder

a. This does not replace a curing compound or cover.

b. Evaporation retarder shall be Confilm by Master Builders or Eucobar by Euclid
Chemical Company, and is to be used as an aid in finishing and preventing plastic
shrinkage.

4. Liquid Membrane-Forming Curing Compound

a. Liquid-type membrane-forming curing compound complying with ASTM C-309,

equal to floor coat by Euclid or masterkure by Master Builders.

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MASTER SPECIFICATIONS (2009Mar09)

b. Liquid membrane-forming curing compound shall be used in conjunction with

appropriate wet-curing procedures, not in lieu of. Liquid membrane-forming curing
compound shall be used during cold weather curing operations.

5. Proportioning And Design Of Mixes Microsilica Concrete Requirements

a. Concrete mixture proportions shall be determined from the results of the trial mix
testing. The approximate trial mixture proportions shall be as follows:

1) Water-Cement ratio: 0.40

2) Cement Content: 564 pounds per cubic yard.
3) Microsilica Content: 6% of cement by weight
4) Maximum Size of Aggregate: ¾”
5) Air Content: 6%
6) Slump: 2”-3” before addition of superplasticizer.
7) 5”-8” after addition of superplasticizer

b. ASTM C 494 Admixture(s): Superplasticizer and water reducer as required for

consolidation and placement.
c. The proportioning and production of microsilica concrete shall be reviewed by the
microsilica manufacturer's representative.
d. When desired mix properties are achieved, two 4 x 8-inch cylinders shall be prepared.
These cylinders shall be water cured for 28 days and air cured from 28 days until
tested. Specimens prepared from these cylinders shall be tested for rapid chloride
permeability in accordance with Test Method AASHTO T277-831. Specimens shall
be tested at an age of 42-56 days. Acceptable test results are as follows: All specimens
must be in the very low permeability range. Test results shall be reported to the
Engineer. The microsilica admixture manufacture’s representative shall be present
during casting of these cylinders. Note that these test results shall be used to determine
acceptability of proposed mixture proportions only and not as an acceptance criterion
for production concrete. Very low permeability shall be when the charge passed,
measured by the test described above, is less than 1000 coulombs.

PART 3 - EXECUTION

1.1 Refer to concrete section and in addition provide the following:

A. MICROSILICA CONCRETE PRODUCTION

1. Microsilica concrete shall be ready-mixed concrete batched, mixed and transported in

accordance with ASTM C94. The sequence and method of charging the mixer with
microsilica admixture shall be reviewed by the microsilica admixture manufacturer’s
representative. Note that microsilica concrete may require extra mixing time to insure
adequate uniformity of the concrete.

B. PLASTIC SHRINKAGE CRACKING PREVENTION

1. Note that microsilica reduces the bleeding of fresh concrete. Several precautions have
been successfully used finishing slabs with microsilica concrete. Use of fog sprays,
windbreaks, sun shields, night placements, or an evaporation retardant may be necessary

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when rapid drying conditions occur. No microsilica concrete shall be placed until the
protection plan required has been approved by the Engineer.

C. PREPARATION

1. Clean all forms, concrete reinforcement, precast elements, embedded items, and related
items prior to placing microsilica concrete.
2. Do not place microsilica concrete against frozen ground.
3. Contractor shall have sufficient protective measures available prior to beginning
placement operations to protect the fresh microsilca concrete surface from weather
damage.

D. TEST PLACEMENT

1. Prior to beginning microsilica concrete flatwork placements and after approval of the
proposed mixture proportions by the Engineer, contractor shall conduct a test placement
of approximately 100 square feet.
2. Contractor shall use the placing, finishing, evaporation protection, and curing techniques
proposed for use on the project. These techniques and the final finished appearance of the
microsilica concrete shall be reviewed by the Engineer and the representative of the
micriosilica admixture manufacturer. Actual flatwork placements shall not begin until the
test placement has been approved by the Engineer.

E. PLACING

1. Comply with requirements of ACI 381-89. Do not use concrete which becomes non-
plastic and unworkable, or does not meet the specified mix properties, or which has been
contaminated by foreign materials. Do not place superplasticized concrete with slumps
exceeding 8”.
2. Discharge microsilica concrete at the job within 1 1/2 hours after water has been added to
cement and aggregates, or cement batched with aggregates. During hot weather, and also
under other conditions contributing to quick stiffening of microsilica concrete, reduction
in elapsed time may be required by the Engineer.
3. Hot Weather Placements: Follow recommendation for Hot Weather Concreting as
outlined in ACI 305. Protect concrete work from physical damage when hot weather
conditions exist that would seriously impair quality and strength of concrete. A shorter
mixing and delivery time than specified in ASTM C94 may be required during hot
weather.

a) Cool ingredients before mixing as necessary to maintain concrete temperature at time

of placement below 85 degrees F for M + CI concrete. Mixing water may be chilled,
chopped ice may be used, or liquid nitrogen cooling may be applied to control
temperature provided the water equivalent of ice is calculated and accounted for in
the total amount of mix water.
b) Cover reinforcing steel with water-soaked burlap if it becomes too hot, so that steel
temperature will not exceed the ambient air temperature immediately before
embedment in concrete.
c) Wet forms thoroughly before placing concrete.
d) During dry, windy weather, erect windbreaks and/or sunshades and protect concrete
surface immediately before and after finishing operations. Use fog sprays and/or
evaporation retardants to prevent evaporation before curing is applied.

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e) Use a water-reducing retarding admixture meeting the requirements of ASTM C94

Type D, as required by placing and/or climatic conditions.

4. Cold Weather Placements: Follow recommendations for Cold Weather Concreting as

outlined in ACI 306. Protect concrete work from physical damage or reduced strength,
which could be caused by frost, freezing actions, or low temperatures.

a) When air temperature has fallen to or is expected to fall below 40 degrees F,

uniformly heat water and aggregates as necessary before mixing to obtain a concrete
mixture temperature conforming to Table 1.4.1 of ACI 306. Report and maintain
protection for minimum times as noted in Table 1.4.2 of ACI 306.
b) Do not use frozen materials containing ice or snow. Do not place concrete on frozen
subgrade or on subgrade containing frozen materials.
c) Use only the specified non-chloride, non corrosive accelerator in accordance with
manufacturer’s recommendations when earlier set times are needed.
d) Adjust superplasticizer dosage rate as may be necessary during cold weather to
produce concrete with satisfactory finishing qualities.

F. FINISHING

1. Do not finish if there is a film of water on the microsilica concrete surface.

2. Do not allow slab to dry prior to any finishing operations. Incorporate protective
measures as specified earlier until microsilica concrete is finished and curing has been
initiated.

G. MONOLITHIC SLAB FINISHES

1. A representative of the microsilica admixture supplier shall be present for the placement
of the first microsilica concrete. The finishing contractor shall use, as much as possible,
the same finishing crew throughout the duration of the project.
2. Place, vibrate, and screed microsilica concrete to approximate finish grade.
3. After screeding and leveling, apply float, trowel and broom finish as described in
concrete section.
4. Begin curing within 15 minutes of final finishing.
5. Note that previous experiences with microsilica concrete have revealed that best results
are obtained when the microsilica concrete is "under finished" and "over cured". The
intent of "under finishing" is to minimize the amount of time before beginning curing.

H. MICROSILICA CONCRETE CURING AND PROTECTION

1. Protect freshly placed microsilica concrete from premature drying and excessive cold or
hot temperatures.
2. Begin curing as soon as free water has disappeared from the concrete surface and
concrete finishing operations are finished. Continue curing for at least 7 days at a
minimum concrete temperature of 50 degrees F. During wet-curing operations, keep
continuously moist for 7 days. Avoid rapid drying at the end of curing period.
3. Curing Methods:

a) Apply membrane-forming curing compound to concrete surfaces as soon as final

finishing operations are complete. Apply uniformly in continuous operation by
power-spray or roller in accordance with manufacturer’s directions. Recoat areas

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subjected to heavy rainfall within 3 hours after initial application. Note: This method
is to be used after all pours, under all conditions, prior to Methods 2 or 3.
b) Cover concrete surface with specified absorptive cover (burlap), thoroughly
saturating cover with water and keeping continuously wet. Place absorptive cover to
provide coverage of all concrete surfaces and edges, with 6” lap over adjacent
absorptive covers. Note: This curing method is the required method (minimum) when
weather conditions permit, and is to be used after Method 1.
c) Cover concrete surfaces with moisture-retaining cover for curing concrete, place in
widest practicable width with sides and ends lapped at least 3” and sealed by
waterproof tape or adhesive. Immediately repair any holes or tears during curing
period using cover material and waterproof tape or adhesive.

1) Generally, this method is used after Method 1 in cold weather. When this
method is used in combination with Method 2, the moisture-retaining sheet is
placed over the absorptive cover after being saturated with water.

I. QUALITY CONTROL TESTING DURING CONSTRUCTION

1. Refer to concrete section and in addition provide the following:

a) For each days pour of microsilica concrete, make appropriate cylinders so that two
tests, according to AASHTO T277-831, "Rapid Determination of Chloride
Permeability of Concrete", may be recorded and reported to the architect. Cure
cylinders as described in proportioning and design of mixes.

END OF SECTION 03 31 01

MICROSILICA CONCRETE 03 31 01-6