US SPEC New Website Announcement

US SPEC is pleased to announce the release of our updated website at www.usspec.com.  Designed with a fresh new look and user friendly navigation, it is easily accessible on both computers and mobile devices.  The new website is fully updated with tools and information on US SPEC products.

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.

V/O Patch - New Video from US MIX!

MP Grout - New Video from US MIX!

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

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.

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.

US SPEC Involved in New ASTM Standard for PT Grouts

US SPEC’s Technical Director, Bryan Smith, is an active member of several ASTM committees including a new committee developing an important new standardized ASTM test method for determining bleed-stability in post-tension grouts. Material manufacturers, grouting contractors, specifiers, DOT’s and testing laboratories will be the primary users of ASTM C1741.

ASTM C1741, Test Method for Bleed Stability of Cementitious Post-Tensioning Tendon Grout, is under the jurisdiction of Subcommittee C09.41 on Hydraulic Cement Grouts, part of ASTM International Committee C09 on Concrete and Concrete Aggregates.
Bryan Smith says, “bleed stability is a critical characteristic regarding the intended use of grout for PT cable protection, aiding safety by way of protection through complete cable encapsulation. Bleed facilitates reduced performance and increases potential for voids and corrosion.”