States consider new science-backed solution to save time and money on concrete infrastructure repair

Purdue University July 31, 2024

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Committee on Materials and Pavements approves Purdue-invented method as a national standard for estimating concrete strength

• Following seven years of research, approval of this Purdue-developed technique as a standard by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials is an initial step toward the method becoming an established practice.

• Beta testing of the method is underway in 11 states and counting across the Midwest, South and West.

• Widespread adoption of this method will depend on results from further testing by states, incorporation of the method as a standard into state specifications, and willingness of contractors to use it.

WEST LAFAYETTE, Ind. — A Purdue University invention that may shorten construction timelines and increase long-term durability of concrete highways, bridges and other transportation infrastructure is emerging as a viable alternative to methods that have been used for decades to estimate when newly poured concrete is mature enough to withstand heavy loads such as those from trucks and other vehicles.

The American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials’ Committee on Materials and Pavements (AASHTO COMP) has approved the Purdue-developed method as a new national standard. AASHTO membership is comprised of the departments of transportation (DOT) of all 50 states, the District of Columbia and Puerto Rico. The creation of this standard, published Wednesday (July 31), puts the method on a path for states and contractors to consider looking into it as a new practice.

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