FAIRFAX, VA, March 20, 2000 -- The U.S. government is working to provide citizens with more durable, longer lasting highways and bridges while saving tax dollars by encouraging the use of silica-fume high-performance concrete in the pavement structures. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the Silica Fume Association (SFA) have entered a cooperative agreement designed to educate state transportation agencies and industry professionals on the benefits of silica-fume concrete as well as expand the use of the high-performance concrete in state highway and bridge projects. "The use of silica-fume concrete will reduce the life-cycle cost of any concrete structure and dramatically increase its service life," said Terence C. Holland, SFA executive director. Federal engineers estimate that silica-fume concrete may significantly increase the life of a bridge, potentially saving the U.S. government millions of dollars annually, according to Suneel Vankar, FHWA Concrete Team Leader. A focal point of the joint educational effort will be high-performance concrete showcase projects where participants in recently completed construction endeavors will train their government and industry peers on successful real-life utilization of silica-fume concrete. Additional education strategies include a silica-fume high-performance concrete user manual, training at industry seminars, and special attention to technology transfer of industry supported life-cycle modeling software to assist designers in best utilizing high-performance concrete. Research regarding further uses of silica-fume concrete will be conducted and supported by the partnership. Silica-fume concrete can withstand corrosion factors such as harsh weather and deicing chemicals and has been used throughout the U.S. for more than 20 years. Infrastructure benefits include increased durability, extended concrete life, reduced corrosion of reinforcing steel and increased strength for longer bridge girders. The use of silica-fume in concrete paving will provide additional strength, abrasion resistance, and durability. The not-for-profit Silica Fume Association was formed in 1998 to promote the benefits of silica-fume concrete and increase its usage in the United States. Based in Fairfax, VA, the association is comprised of all domestic manufacturers of silica fume. For more information about SFA, call 703-934-2937 or visit www.silicafume.org.
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