The American Concrete Institute announced the availability of two important new documents for concrete industry professionals: ACI 301-16 Specifications for Structural Concrete, and the ACI Field Reference Manual.

ACI 301-16 Specifications for Structural Concrete is a reference specification that an architect or engineer can apply to any construction project involving structural concrete by citing it in the project specifications. A mandatory requirements checklist and an optional requirements checklist are provided to assist the architect or engineer in supplementing the provisions of this specification as required or needed by designating or speci­fying individual project requirements.

The first five sections of the specifications cover general construc­tion requirements for cast-in-place structural concrete and slabs-on-ground. These sections cover materials and proportioning of concrete; reinforcement and prestressing steel; production, placing, finishing, and curing of concrete; formwork performance criteria and construction; treatment of joints; embedded items; repair of surface defects; and finishing of formed and unformed surfaces. Provisions governing testing, evaluation, and acceptance of concrete as well as acceptance of the structures are included. The remaining sections are devoted to architectural concrete, lightweight concrete mass concrete, post-tensioned concrete, shrinkage-compensating concrete, industrial floor slabs, tilt-up construction, precast struc­tural concrete, and precast architectural concrete.   

"There are several major updates to the 2016 document from previous version published in 2010,  including more contractor-friendly language, removal of default requirements for slump, and provisions on alkali silica reactivity," states Michelle Wilson, Chair, ACI Committee 301, Specifications for Structural Concrete. "The specifications have been made clearer for the user by removing wording that is confusing or subject to interpretation."

ACI 301-16 complements the completely reorganized ACI 318-14 Building Code Requirements for Structural Concrete. This enables the designer to use the 301 specifications to complement the design. The specifications are totally inclusive of virtually all forms of structural concrete that are utilized in the building construction industry.

The ACI Field Reference Manual is a compilation of documents including ACI 301-16 Specifications for Structural Concrete and additional ACI documents on measuring, mixing, transporting, and placing concrete; concrete pumping methods; hot- and cold-weather concreting; consolidation; and concrete formwork. ACI 301‑16 requires that contractors keep a copy of the ACI Field Reference Manual in the field office of any project where ACI 301 is specified.  The following documents are contained in the ACI Field Reference Manual:

301-16 Specifications for Structural Concrete
117-10(15) Specifications for Tolerances for Concrete Construction and Materials
117.1R-14 Guide for Tolerance Compatibility in Concrete Construction
211.5R-14 Guide for Submittal of Concrete Proportions
224.1R-07 Causes, Evaluation and Repair of Cracks in Concrete Structures
302.1R-15 Guide for Concrete Floor and Slab Construction
302.2R-06 Guide for Concrete Slabs that Receive Moisture-Sensitive Flooring
303R-12 Guide to Cast-in-Place Architectural Concrete Practice
304R-00(09) Guide for Measuring, Mixing, Transporting, and Placing Concrete
304.2R-96(08) Placing Concrete by Pumping Methods
304.4R-95(08) Placing Concrete with Belt Conveyors
305R-10 Guide to Hot Weather Concreting
305.1-14 Specification for Hot Weather Concreting
306R-10 Guide to Cold Weather Concreting
306.1-90(02) Standard Specification for Cold Weather Concreting
308R-16 Guide to External Curing of Concrete
308.1-11 Specification for Curing Concrete
309R-05 Guide for Consolidation of Concrete
347R-14 Guide to Formwork for Concrete
347.3R-13 Guide to Formed Concrete Surfaces
423.7-14 Specification for Unbonded Single-Strand Tendons
ITG-7-09 Specification for Tolerances for Precast Concrete  

Learn more about the new ACI 301-16 by viewing this video.

ACI 301-16 is also included in the new 2016 edition of the Concrete Construction Special Inspector reference package. The American Concrete Institute also has ACI 301-16 online learning opportunities:

ACI 301-16 Specifications for Structural Concrete (Part 1) 
ACI 301-16 Specifications for Structural Concrete (Part 2) 
ACI 301-16 Specifications for Structural Concrete (Part 3)

Learn more and purchase both documents at www.concrete.org.