Microlevel Study of Integration in High‐Strength Concrete Innovation
Publication: Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 117, Issue 2
Abstract
This paper analyzes the process of innovation on the Two Union Square project in Seattle, Washington. On this project, 19,000 psi (131, 005 kPa) concrete—a world‐record high strength—was field placed inside 10 ft (3.05 m) diameter steel tubes to create the main columns for a high‐rise office building. This paper describes the process leading to this innovation, including the owner's commitment to the project, the structural designer's tendency toward innovation, the concrete supplier's progressive developmental efforts, and the interactions between these key players to overcome the inherent uncertainty of innovation. Lastly, this paper develops discussions based on this example of the process of construction innovation, regarding the importance of owner's commitment, importance of having a long‐term perspective, informal R&D for construction innovation, and qualifications of champions in construction.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
References
1.
Carrasquillo, P. M., and Carrasquillo, R. L. (1988). “Evaluation of the use of current concrete practice in the production of high‐strength concrete.” ACI Materials J., 85(1), 49–54.
2.
Cohen, E., and Heun, R. C. (1979). “100 years of concrete building construction in the United States.” Concrete Int., 2(3), 38–46.
3.
From vision to reality: Managing innovation. (1985). Arthur D. Little, Inc., Cambridge, Mass.
4.
Godfrey, K. A., Jr. (1987). “Concrete strength record jumps 36%.” Civ. Engrg., ASCE, 57(10), 84–88.
5.
Hester, W. (1987). “A new market opportunity: High strength concrete and repair materials.” The Constr. Specifier, 40(12), 46–49.
6.
“High strength concrete does have its problems.” (1978). ACI J., 75(2), N8–N9.
7.
Hollister, S. C. (1976). “Urgent need for research in high‐strength concrete.” ACI J., 3(3), 136–137.
8.
Howard, N. L., and Leatham, D. M. (1988). “The production and delivery of highstrength concrete.” Proc., American Concrete Institute Nat. Convention, American Concrete Institute, Detroit, Mich.
9.
Kesler, C. E. (1977). “Reinforced concrete materials—a remarkable heritage.” J. Struct. Div., ASCE, 103(4), 747–757.
10.
Macinnis, C., and Thompson, D. V. (1970). “Special techniques for producing highstrength concrete.” ACI J., 67(12), 996–1002.
11.
“Methods of achieving high strength concrete.” (1967). ACI J., 64(1), 45–48.
12.
Parrott, L. J. (1969). “The production and properties of high strength concrete.” Concrete, 3(11), 443–448.
13.
Schmidt, W., and Hoffman, E. S. (1975). “9000 psi concrete—why? why not?” Civ. Engrg., ASCE, 45(5), 52–55.
14.
“State‐of‐the‐art report on high strength concrete.” (1984). J. ACI, Proc., ACI Committee 363, Report 363R‐84, 81(4), 364–411.
15.
“Structural steel weight vs. number of stories.” (1988). Chart, Skilling Ward Magnusson Barkshire, Inc., Seattle, Wash.
16.
“Tower gets 19,000‐psi core.” (1987). ENR, October 29, 219(18), 15.
17.
Uniform building code. (1986). International Conference of Building Officials, Whittier, Calif.
18.
Wolsiefer, J. (1984). “Ultra high‐strength field placeable concrete with silica fume admixture.” Concrete Int., Apr., 6(4), 25–31.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Construction Engineering and Management
Volume 117 • Issue 2 • June 1991
Pages: 294 - 309
Copyright
Copyright © 1991 ASCE.
History
Published online: Jun 1, 1991
Published in print: Jun 1991
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.