Friday, 24 January 2020
Austroads is developing a comprehensive suite of specifications for the construction of roads and bridges known as Austroads Technical Specifications. The first seven are now available for download from www.austroads.com.au/publications.
These specifications cover the supply of precast concrete pipes, polymer modified binders and geopolymer concrete, as well as the repair and strengthening of concrete structures.
“These specifications have been produced in consultation with all the jurisdictions and industry,” says Ross Guppy, Austroads Assets Program Manager.
“Having standardised construction requirements across Australia and New Zealand will lead to long term cost savings by delivering efficiencies for industry and facilitating the adoption of contemporary practice on construction projects. Other benefits include reducing the potential for disagreements during project delivery and encouraging consistent skills development for the contractor’s personnel and surveillance officers.”
The specifications include the requirements for provision of the Contractor’s Quality Management Plan, supply of materials, installation, testing, inspection, acceptance and repair of defects. Any special jurisdictional requirements, such as compliance with registered or approved supplier schemes, are included where necessary.
“The Austroads Technical Specifications reflect contemporary construction practice and wherever possible, they are consistent with the relevant Australian and New Zealand standards,” says Ross.
Generally, the Austroads Technical Specifications will refer to test methods described in Australian, New Zealand and international standards. However, in some instances it will be necessary to develop new Austroads Test Methods in conjunction with the specifications.
The technical specification for the supply of precast concrete pipes is accompanied by two new test methods which determine the susceptibility of concrete aggregates to degradation. The technical content of these has been derived from existing Department of Transport Victoria and Transport for NSW test methods.