Self-monitoring, complemented by the independent supervision by the inspection body, can avoid non-compliant results after installation.
5 YEARS OF BENOR ROAD CONCRETE: A MILESTONE
For both public and private projects, the BENOR mark has provided quality assurance for a wide range of construction products for more than 50 years. With the introduction of Standard Specifications 250 version 3.1 in 2014, the Flemish region took the lead in BENOR certification of cement concrete pavements and linear elements. 5 years later, 37 production units geographically distributed in Flanders offer BENOR-certified road concrete, thus proving its added value for quality and sustainability for the various stakeholders.
"At the start-up five years ago, the practical elaboration of BENOR certification was entrusted to COPRO, which was designated as sector organisation (OSO) by the non-profit association BENOR for this purpose," clarifies Luc Verbustel, certification manager at COPRO. Together with BE-CERT, COPRO also takes on the task of certification body (OCI).
Today, 37 production units geographically distributed in Flanders offer BENOR-certified road concrete.
With the various stakeholders, whether public authorities, contractors, manufacturers or experts, and with the support of BE-CERT, a Sectoral Commission was also set up to finalise and continuously improve the rules (PTV 850) and regulations (TRA 50, RNR50-1, RNR50-2). Luc Verbustel: "These regulations relate to 'full' product certification in which the quality and conformity of the product are paramount. For products for which not all test results are known at the time of delivery, it is essential to check the production system. Self-checking, supplemented by the independent supervision by the inspection body, can avoid non-conforming results after installation. Hence, certification should include all necessary facets ranging from control of raw materials, preliminary study, manufacturing control to control of final products."
The certificate reinforces concrete's reputation as a sustainable and low-maintenance solution in road construction.
Reinforced reputation
The certificate strengthens the reputation of concrete as a sustainable and low-maintenance solution in road construction. Luc Verbustel: "An important element in the certification includes carrying out a preliminary study of concrete mixtures in which both the type of raw materials and the properties on fresh and hardened concrete are laid down in an accountability note. This preliminary study specifically evaluates the durability of road concrete with the determination of its freeze-thaw salt resistance. After approval of this justification note by the certification body, the mixture is registered with the government and a technical data sheet is prepared by the producer using a template, which can then be consulted on the Extranet."
Meanwhile, this certification has been in existence for five years and 37 production units have already obtained the BENOR mark for road concrete. In the meantime, 475 mixtures have already been certified and registered. "The certified producers are not only very well distributed geographically across Flanders but also have mixtures spread over the various construction classes and mixtures for linear elements," says Luc Verbustel. "This makes quality road concrete available everywhere in Flanders. Several of these mixtures also contain circular materials such as high-quality concrete granulate. This also responds to the growing trend of circularity in the construction world."
Meanwhile, 475 mixtures have already been certified and registered.
Rising line
The production of certified road concrete is on the rise. Last year, +/- 200,000 m³ of certified road concrete was delivered in Flanders. The number of producers applying for the BENOR mark continues to grow. Luc Verbustel: "Naturally, an important task remains for the clients who prescribe the certified and registered concrete mixtures in their specifications. During the execution of the works, it must also be verified that the prescribed concrete mixture is indeed delivered and placed correctly during execution. A check that can be done relatively easily: using the quick code on the delivery note, the technical data sheet for each mixture can be downloaded on the Extranet."
As primary raw materials are becoming scarcer in the sector and climate ambitions are being scaled up, a next step is the search for the use of sustainable replacement materials. "In this regard, an increase in the replacement percentages of high-grade concrete aggregates and the expansion of the applications of concrete mixtures with the use of high-grade concrete aggregates, use of other binders ... are initially considered," concludes Luc Verbustel.
This article was published in the magazine GrondWegWaterbouw and is also available online on their website: https://www.gww-bouw.be/artikel/5-jaar-benor-wegenbeton-een-mijlpaal/.
