THE FUTURE

(Primary responsibility for implementation is shown in parentheses.)

What Still Needs to be Done, in prioritized order

1. Maintain HPC web site and publicize the list server
   One of main avenues for the information exchange will be via the Internet, the HPC Lead States web site. The home page should include a list server and hyperlinks to enable an electronic communication web between the HPC players. Create a catalogued listing of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the HPC web site. Also include links to subject matter experts. "List Servers" are electronic mailing lists that let Internet users participate in discussions and receive information on many topics. A list server automatically distributes an e-mail message from one member of a list to all other members on that list. This provides access for those interested in HPC to numerous experts' opinions and solutions to specific questions. Such a system should be maintained. (AASHTO Subcommittees on Bridges and Structures, Materials, and Construction)

   Action Plan: The AASHTO Task Force for SHRP Implementation and the AASHTO Subcommittees on Bridges and Structures, Materials, and Construction will recommend to SCOH to continue the funding of the HPC web site.

2. Life-cycle costing for bridges
   An owner's decision to select HPC over non-engineered concrete materials will be based largely on the economical advantages of HPC. The accepted quantitative method for evaluating economic advantages of HPC is a Life-Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA). A LCCA computes the total life costs of a facility including the costs of initial construction, maintenance, repairs, user delays, and salvage value. The deterioration rates of the materials used in the LCCA are very important as to the reliability of the results. Presently there are no widely accepted deterioration models for both HPC and non-engineered concrete materials. Owners are hesitant to accept the results of the LCCA because of this shortcoming. Until such models are developed, the economic benefits of using HPC will continue to be a qualitative judgement on the part of the owner. Continued refinement of the LCCA for bridges is needed to fully appreciate the economical advantages of HPC over non-engineered concrete materials. (FHWA, Industry)

   Action Plan: Place an article in the HPC Bridge Views about the life-cycle cost models available (LC365, NIST, NCHRP). Representatives familiar with the different available models will make presentations to the AASHTO T-10 Committee at either the PCI Committee Days or at the AASHTO Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures meeting in Seattle in May 2001.

3. Standards, Specifications and Test Methods: design, materials, and construction, developed in the format acceptable to AASHTO Standards, Specifications and Test Methods
   The ultimate goal of the HPC Lead States Team is the incorporation of HPC into routine design, construction, and materials testing. The most efficient manner of achieving this goal is through the adoption of HPC practices by AASHTO. The AASHTO specification for HPC would incorporate the best practices as identified in the present national pooled fund study on HPC. Guidance on identifying appropriate material testing, mix design development, quality assurance testing should be provided in the specification(s). The task of adopting an HPC specification by AASHTO will be vital to the long-term success of HPC. (AASHTO Subcommittees for Bridges and Structures, Materials, and Construction; FHWA; State DOTs; Industry; Academia)

   Action Plan: Submit the FHWA-sponsored HPC pool-fund study results in AASHTO format to the appropriate Subcommittees. Subcommittees should follow the developments of this pool-funded study.

4. Develop long-term strategic plan for HPC bridges in partnership with government, industry, and academia
   Pavements have a strategic plan. A similar one will be developed for bridges. (FHWA)

   Action Plan: Encourage Industry to initiate a plan for the implementation of HPC for bridges in cooperation with the FHWA, AASHTO, and NCBC.

5. Presentations in 2001 to AASHTO Subcommittees on the transition and the FHWA HPC Bridge Workshop
   A presentation on the HPC Lead States Team transition to the AASHTO Subcommittees on Bridges, Materials, and Construction is necessary to educate the committee members on the past work and future needs of HPC. Additionally, a brief introduction to the HPC workshop would be appropriate at this time. (FHWA; AASHTO Subcommittees for Bridges and Structures, Materials, and Construction)

   Action Plan: AASHTO Liaisons will present the transition at the 2001 summer meetings of the AASHTO Subcommittees for Bridges and Structures, Materials, and Construction. The FHWA will introduce the HPC Bridge Workshop in each of the three Subcommittee meetings.

6. Coordinate future HPC pavement activities with industry
   The success of High Performance Concrete Pavements (HPCP) will be in large part dependent upon the amount of initial and ongoing involvement of industry partners in the process. Industry partners will be instrumental in mainstreaming HPCP into industry and construction practices. Their input will be valuable as to the practicality, viability, and necessity of the HPCP efforts. It is important that industry be active participants in both present and future HPCP activities. (FHWA, IPRF)

   Action Plan: FHWA will coordinate future HPC pavement activities with IPRF.

7. Facilitate getting HPC research started with the FHWA, Innovative Pavement Research Foundation (IPRF), National Concrete Bridge Council (NCBC), the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP), etc.
   The ongoing national pooled fund study on HPC is expected to identify future HPC research needs. These needs must be relayed to research organizations such as the IPRF and NCHRP. The continued development of HPC will rely on the facilitation of research within the research community. (FHWA; TRB; NCBC; IPRF; ACPA; State DOT contacts; AASHTO Subcommittees for Bridges and Structures, Materials, and Construction)

   Action Plan: The HPC pool-funded study will provide the topics to the AASHTO Subcommittees for Bridges and Structures, Materials, and Construction, who will push the topics forward to IPRF and NCHRP. Also, the State DOT contacts will provide HPC research topics for their States' needs to the appropriate AASHTO Subcommittee.

8. Establish a mechanism to present the FHWA HPC Bridge Workshop materials to Industry and State DOT's (also put on web site), including background information for recommended practices and guidelines for selecting certain properties of concrete (e.g., importance of a specific mix design parameter for a climatic region)
   The HPC Lead States Team is in the process of developing a generic workshop that can be used to educated designers in the use of HPC. Upon completion of the workshop pilot, the package will be ready for distribution to transportation officials. An effective method of distribution will be through the Internet web site. (FHWA)

   Action Plan: FHWA will work with the National Highway Institute (NHI) to implement the HPC Bridge Workshop.

9. Publicize FHWA's Innovative Bridge Research and Construction Program (IBRCP)
   Recommend that AASHTO encourage State DOT's to submit HPC proposals to IBRCP. FHWA disseminates results from the IBRCP program. (AASHTO Subcommittees for Bridges and Structures, Materials, and Construction; FHWA; State DOT contacts)

   Action Plan: FHWA will work with State DOT contacts to submit proposals to appropriate AASHTO Subcommittees.

10. Develop HPCP definition
    The concept of HPC for Pavements (HPCP) was a late addition to the HPC Lead States Team and subsequently not fully addressed by the team. Based on the team's experience with HPC, a definition of HPCP will be necessary to gain initial acceptance of the concept. An initial definition of HPCP should be developed. (FHWA)

    Action Plan: FHWA will work with the Industry to develop an HPCP definition.

11. Update HPC bridge definition
    Much work has been done since the initial definition of HPC was developed. An updated definition of HPC is needed to reflect the current knowledge. An updated definition is needed to more precisely describe the concept of HPC. Evaluation of the definition is included in the work plan for the FHWA-sponsored HPC pooled-fund research project entitled, "Compilation and Evaluation of Results from High Performance Concrete Bridge Projects." (FHWA)

    Action Plan: FHWA will work with the Industry to update the HPC bridge definition after results are obtained from the HPC pooled-fund study.

12. Complete bridge survey
    The HPC Lead States Team developed a national Concrete Bridge Information Form survey to benchmark the use of HPC. The results of this survey will identify the states' present practices and future needs of HPC bridges. Approximately 60 percent of the states have responded to the survey. Another follow-up solicitation of the non-responsive states and future updates are needed. (FHWA)

    Action Plan: FHWA will work with the States to complete and update the bridge survey.

13. Complete pavements survey
    The HPC Lead States Team developed a national Concrete Pavement Information Form survey to benchmark the use of HPC. The results of this survey will identify the states' present practices and future needs of HPC pavements. To date, 16 states have responded to the survey. Another follow-up solicitation of the non-responsive states is needed. (FHWA, ACPA, IPRF)

    Action Plan: FHWA will work with the States to complete and update the pavements survey.

Key Players

The key players in the future of HPC are essentially the same ones that have been in the forefront in the past. The SHRP funded and published research into the characteristics of HPC. The Lead States Team, which was formed to implement the research, has refined the definition and actively promoted HPC for bridge and highway construction. The Lead States Team will sunset in 2000; however, the members of the team will continue to be a resource for agencies considering HPC as a construction option. The institutions and agencies that are expected to play major roles in the future promotion of HPC are listed below along with some of their possible contributions. The only newcomer to this group is the AASHTO Steering Group for Technology Deployment.

Transportation Research Board (TRB)

• continue research into HPC
• continue evaluation studies of HPC performance
• publish research and study results

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

• define specific performance criteria for HPC
• establish mix specifications to meet the various criteria

Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

• initiate research into design and uses of HPC
• collect information and experiences regarding HPC
• disseminate information through workshops and seminars
• provide advice and assistance

State Departments of Transportation (DOTs)

• maintain contact people with an interest in HPC promotion
• create or maintain focus teams to promote HPC internally and with area contractors
• establish HPC as the norm in concrete construction

American Concrete Institute (ACI),
American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA),
Innovative Pavement Research Foundation (IPRF), and
National Concrete Bridge Council (NCBC)

• participate in HPC research
• promote the development and use of HPC through their members
• devise and promulgate best practice strategies for concrete production and construction

Industry

• implement best practice methods of production and construction
• provide feedback to public agencies and industrial organizations

Academia

• propose and perform research
• incorporate HPC concepts into the course of study
• make staff available for workshops and seminars

Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Centers

• promote HPC though the local technology transfer centers

New Objectives

One objective for the future is to make HPC the standard practice for all concrete construction. Concrete will need to be engineered to meet the performance requirements for specific uses.

Designers will need to put more effort into defining what the concrete should do in terms of performance criteria including functional and time requirements. With better descriptions of performance needs, mix designs can be more narrowly focused on meeting those needs through better application of available technologies.

High performance concrete technology has been applied to bridge construction for the past few years by means of demonstration projects and workshops. The application of HPC concepts in the area of pavements has lagged behind that of bridges, with fewer demonstration projects constructed to date. The HPC Lead States Team believes there is a need for the first HPCP workshop to be held within the next two years. The workshop should address such things as what is high performance concrete pavement, alternate designs of concrete pavement, alternate mix designs, and the use of alternate materials.

Future Challenges

The challenges that face HPC in the future, in many respects, are those already seen in the past and that are continuing at the present. In order for HPC to become standard practice for design and construction of HPC bridges and pavements the HPC Lead States Team has identified key challenges that face HPC work. These include:

• Incorporate HPC into the educational system (e.g., courses at universities, NHI courses, and industry).
• Develop and implement a life-cycle cost analysis model for bridges.
• Update the HPC bridge definition.
• Identify HPC characteristics for design and materials properties for pavements.
Additionally, develop HPC definition for pavements.
• Integrate HPC and non-conventional reinforcement.
• Develop long-term strategic plan for HPC bridges.

Communication Needs

Particularly after the sunset of the Lead States Team in the year 2000, maintaining streamlined and open communication between the key players in the HPC arena assumes paramount importance. The key players include state, county and city DOT users, FHWA, design consultants, contractors, material suppliers, and academia.

• One of main avenues for the information exchange will be via the Internet, the HPC Lead States website. The maintenance of the website should continue. The home page should include a list server and hyperlinks to enable an electronic communication web between the HPC players.
• Create a catalogued listing of frequently asked questions (FAQs) on the HPC web site. Also include links to subject matter experts.
• "List Servers" are electronic mailing lists that let Internet users participate in discussions and receive information on many topics. A list server automatically distributes an e-mail message from one member of a list to all other members on that list. This provides access for those interested in HPC to numerous experts' opinions and solutions to specific questions. Such a system should be maintained.
• HPC Bridge Views, a bimonthly newsletter which is a joint venture between FHWA and the National Concrete Bridge Council, is an excellent resource and a great medium for effective dissemination of information on HPC for bridges. A typical issue reaches more than 10,000 bridge decision-makers and professionals. Continued publication of the newsletter is highly recommended.
• A newsletter comparable to HPC Bridge Views that focuses on pavements is published by ACPA. This publication, entitled The Concrete Pavement Progress, should be used for HPC pavement articles.
• HPC is being designed, researched and used all over the world. To pool the knowledge for speedy and successful implementation of HPC the two international conference series, Joint FHWA/PCI International Symposium and the International Conference on Concrete Pavements, should continue.
• Successful implementation of any technology comes with cooperation among team members on specific projects. Partnerships between regional users and producer groups of HPC cannot be overstressed and should be continued.
• A key HPC contact for each state DOT has been established. This list should be kept up to date. State DOT contacts act as nuclei for the local area network of HPC professionals.
• During AASHTO Bridge and Structures, Materials, and Construction annual meetings, summary reports on progress and accomplishments in HPC structures and HPCP should be provided.

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