Since
1928, NRMCA's Research Laboratory has been a forerunner in
testing and research by establishing technical standards for the
industry. Now located in College Park, MD, near the campus of
the University of Maryland, the lab has been involved with a
number of leading industry research projects.
Laboratory Goals
Conduct applied research, training for concrete industry
Partner with qualified research organizations to leverage
resources and expertise
Provide a site for concrete promotional events and
demonstrate innovative concrete technologies
For a
list of tests conducted at the lab,
CLICK HERE.
Research Partners
University of Maryland, College Park
Middle
Tennessee State University
Concrete Industry Management Schools
Purdue
University
Auburn
University
Dr.
Nick Carino, NIST (retired)
CTLGroup, Skokie, IL
How can you
participate?
Utilize NRMCA research reports and articles
Suggest research ideas through RES Committee
Utilize laboratory for technical advice and services
Recent Projects
(2004~2007)
Advantages of Performance Specifications - Lab Study
Effect
of Continuous (well-graded) Aggregate Grading
Crushed Returned Concrete as Aggregates
Higher Fly Ash Concrete with
Acceptable Performance
New
Permeability Tests and Criteria as Alternatives to
Durability Provisions of Codes, Specifications
Concrete Setting Times Using Thermal Signatures
Non
Standard Curing and Concrete Performance
Past Achievements
ASTM C
94 criteria on batching, mixing, delivery time
ASTM C
94 criteria on reuse of mixer wash water
Use of
4 x 8" cylinders for strength testing (ASTM C 39)
Modified moisture conditioning of cores in the Code
1998 -
Arthur R. Anderson Award, by ACI
External Funding
Agencies
RMC
Research Foundation
Portland Cement Association
Federal Highway Administration
US
Department of Energy
Contact Us
Colin Lobo
Senior VP, Engineering
PHONE:
(240)485-1160
EMAIL:
clobo@nrmca.org
Haejin Kim
Director, Research Laboratory
PHONE:
(240)485-1170
EMAIL:
hkim@nrmca.org
Research Reports:
New
Technology-Based Approach to Advance Higher Volume Fly Ash Concrete
with Acceptable Performance:Guide
for the Construction Team
(PDF)
October 2008 (Guide Issue Date)
New
Technology-Based Approach to Advance Higher Volume Fly Ash Concrete with
Acceptable Performance
(PDF)
August 2008 (Final Report)
Crushed Returned Concrete as Aggregates
for New Concrete
(PDF) Report to the RMC Research & Education Foundation,
September 2007
Effect of Continuous
(Well-Graded) Combined Aggregate Grading on Concrete Performance,
Phase A: Aggregate Voids Content (Packing Density)
(PDF)
Obla, K., Kim, H., and Lobo, C.,
May 2007
Effect
of Continuous (Well-Graded) Combined Aggregate Grading on Concrete
Performance, Phase B: Concrete Performance
(PDF) Obla, K., Kim, H., and
Lobo, C., May 2007
Experimental
Case Study Demonstrating the Advantages of Performance
Specifications
(PDF) Obla, K.,
and Lobo, C.,Report to the RMC Research Foundation, January 2006
Establishing a Center for Concrete
Research
(PDF) Concrete InFocus
Research Articles:
Do Well-Graded Aggregates Aid Concrete Performance?
(PDF) Obla, Karthik,
Concrete International
Experimental Case Study
Demonstrating Advantages of Performance Specifications
Obla, K., Kim, H., and Lobo,
C.,
NCBC
Conference,
May 2006
Laboratory Demonstration of
the Advantages of
Performance Specifications
(PDF)
Obla, K., and Lobo,
C.,Indian Concrete Journal,
December 2005
Experimental Case Study Demonstrating
the Advantages of Performance
Specifications
(PDF) Concrete InFocus, Summer 2005
Effects of
Non-Standard Curing on Strength of Concrete: A Research Project at the
NRMCA Research Laboratory
(PDF)
Obla, K., Rodriguez, F., and Ben-Barka, S., Concrete InFocus, Winter 2005
Recycled Water in Ready Mixed Concrete Operations
(PDF) Lobo,
C., and Mullings, G.M., Concrete InFocus, Spring
2003
Reusing Non-Admixtured Returned Concrete
(PDF)
Lobo, C. and Gaynor, R.D., The Concrete Producer,
September
1998
Challenging ASR Predictive Testing
(PDF)
Lobo, C., The Concrete Producer,
March 1998
A Study on the Reuse of Plastic Concrete Using Extended Set Retarding
Admixtures
(PDF)
Lobo,
C., Guthrie, W.F., and Kacker, R., Journal of Research of the National Institute of Standards
and Technology, September–October 1995
Effects
of Capping Materials &
Procedures on the Measured Compressive Strength of High-Strength Concrete,
Cement Concrete, & Aggregates
(PDF)
Lobo,
C., Mullings, G., and Gaynor, R.D., ASTM International, December 1994
Current Research at NRMCA
Gaynor, R.D. and Lobo, C.,
Concrete Products, April 1992
Conference
Presentations:
"Well graded
Aggregates and Concrete Performance" – Obla,
Karthik Concrete Technology Forum, Dallas, TX, May 2007.
"Research in Support of Performance
Specifications"– Obla, Karthik Concrete Technology Forum, Dallas, TX,
May 2007
"Optimizing
Aggregate Gradation"– Obla, Karthik Texas Aggregates and Concrete Association Annual Meeting –
Invited Speaker and Panel Discussion, Austin, TX, March 2007
"Crushed
Returned Concrete as Aggregate for New Concrete"– Obla, Karthik ACI Spring Convention, Atlanta, GA, 2007
"Well-Graded
Aggregate – Does it Help?"– Obla, Karthik ACI Fall Convention, Denver, CO, 2006
"The Effect
of Continuous Combined Aggregate Grading on Concrete Performance"– Obla, Karthik ACI Spring Convention, Charlotte, NC, 2006
"Performance-Based Specifications: Laboratory Study
Demonstrating the Advantages"– Obla, Karthik Transportation Research Board, 85th
Annual Meeting, Washington D.C., January
2006
