Thursday, January 9, 2014
US SPEC Joins Post-Tensioning Institute
US SPEC has joined the Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI), an organization dedicated to advancing post-tensioning applications through marketing, education, research, teamwork and code development while advancing the quality, safety, efficiency, profitability, and use of post-tensioning systems.
Recognized as the worldwide authority on post-tensioning, PTI represents a community of businesses and professionals dedicated to expanding quality post-tensioning applications. Megan Lord, who is managing the development of US SPEC’s PT Grout program, says our membership with PTI “allows us to have a voice and be involved with a strong organization that is developing and shaping the PT industry.”
In addition, Bryan Smith, Technical Director, has been appointed as an Associate Member of M-55 Grouting Committee. Bryan says, “We joined PTI in accord with our own moral compass towards continual pursuit of quality and improvement – in every aspect of our business. We joined to participate and help improve the industry in any way we can.”
Thursday, August 15, 2013
US SPEC New Website Announcement
The updated product pages contain information about the complete US SPEC product line. With easy-to-use product calculators and instructional videos, it is easier than ever to access information and find the products you need.
New features include "The Tool Box" which is designed as a gathering place of technical information, company newsletters, videos and photos - all designed to inform and educate our customers on US SPEC products.
We hope you enjoy browsing our new site and learning more about our products and company.
Friday, July 19, 2013
Friday, May 31, 2013
Wednesday, May 1, 2013
Standards and Specifications
A note from Bryan Smith, US SPEC Technical Director:
A quote I heard during this past Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona was “Those who show up make the rules” (ASPIRE magazine, William Nickas). In response to this quote, US SPEC participates in the development of standards and specifications with organizations such as ASBI, ASTM, CSI and ICRI to name a few.
As a manufacturer we are constantly presented with various specifications to comply with. We take our ability to meet these specifications very seriously and develop products to meet the most legitimate industry specifications and standards. This may be in the form of A/E specifications or DOT specifications. Regardless of what specifications we are faced with, one aspect generally remains consistent across the board - they are all different! Regional climate considerations are an understandable reason for some of these changes; however, most of the differences in specification requirements are due to lack of industry knowledge beyond each municipality’s governance.
One commendable effort being pursued by the post-tension industry is a joint initiative between state DOTs and the FHWA (U.S. Federal Highway Association). This initiative is taking place in the PTI M-50/ASBI joint task group. Meetings will be held at PTI and ASBI conventions. The objective of this committee is to bring all state DOTs together in an effort to develop a single specification for post-tension grouting for adoption nationwide. The current guide specification produced by PTI (M-55) is constantly improving and serves as a progressively rigid document to use as the foundation for this effort.
TXDOT is the first state DOT we are aware of who is planning to adopt PTI M-55 as their chief PT grouting specification. With more than 53,000 bridges statewide (more than any other state) and more than 600 post-tensioned bridges, it seems fitting they are on board with advancing this effort. What is their reasoning? Life-cycle cost savings!
The more information we share in community through similar experiences the more we can learn from each other and improve our systems, technologies, materials and the overall built environment in which we live and operate.
ASBI: American Segmental Bridge Institute
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials
CSI: Construction Specifications Institute
ICRI: International Concrete Repair Institute
A quote I heard during this past Post-Tensioning Institute (PTI) Convention in Scottsdale, Arizona was “Those who show up make the rules” (ASPIRE magazine, William Nickas). In response to this quote, US SPEC participates in the development of standards and specifications with organizations such as ASBI, ASTM, CSI and ICRI to name a few.
As a manufacturer we are constantly presented with various specifications to comply with. We take our ability to meet these specifications very seriously and develop products to meet the most legitimate industry specifications and standards. This may be in the form of A/E specifications or DOT specifications. Regardless of what specifications we are faced with, one aspect generally remains consistent across the board - they are all different! Regional climate considerations are an understandable reason for some of these changes; however, most of the differences in specification requirements are due to lack of industry knowledge beyond each municipality’s governance.
One commendable effort being pursued by the post-tension industry is a joint initiative between state DOTs and the FHWA (U.S. Federal Highway Association). This initiative is taking place in the PTI M-50/ASBI joint task group. Meetings will be held at PTI and ASBI conventions. The objective of this committee is to bring all state DOTs together in an effort to develop a single specification for post-tension grouting for adoption nationwide. The current guide specification produced by PTI (M-55) is constantly improving and serves as a progressively rigid document to use as the foundation for this effort.
TXDOT is the first state DOT we are aware of who is planning to adopt PTI M-55 as their chief PT grouting specification. With more than 53,000 bridges statewide (more than any other state) and more than 600 post-tensioned bridges, it seems fitting they are on board with advancing this effort. What is their reasoning? Life-cycle cost savings!
The more information we share in community through similar experiences the more we can learn from each other and improve our systems, technologies, materials and the overall built environment in which we live and operate.
ASBI: American Segmental Bridge Institute
ASTM: American Society for Testing and Materials
CSI: Construction Specifications Institute
ICRI: International Concrete Repair Institute
Friday, April 19, 2013
US SPEC Quickset - New Video
US SPEC is currently filming several new videos demonstrating some of our core products. We just added a video of our US SPEC Quickset to our YouTube channel. Check it out below! For all our videos, visit our YouTube channel here.
Thursday, December 20, 2012
Cold Weather and Liquid Cures and Sealers
With winter temperatures setting in, it is important to take precautions with your liquid and water based products including cures, sealers and bonding agents. Products with 50% water composition or greater are prone to freezing. Freezing changes the composition of a material, rendering it less effective when it thaws. Be sure to store these products in a heated warehouse or other warm, dry place during cold winter months. Do not store products outside when freezing temperatures are possible, and please caution your customers to do the same. Also, when placing most of these products, it is wise to ensure the application area is not exposed to freezing temperatures 24 hours prior to and 72 hours after application.
If you are concerned about freezing temperatures, solvent based products can offer a good solution. Solvent based products can withstand cold temperatures without freezing. However, these products must be brought to a minimum temperature before they are applied. Remember to follow ACI procedures for cold weather concreting and do not hesitate to contact your US SPEC representative with any questions or concerns.
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