ABSTRACT
High-performance concrete is prepared through a careful selection of each of its ingredients (Perenchio, 1973; Aïtcin, 1980). It is very difficult to gain the last MPa of compressive strength of a particular concrete mixture, or the 1 hour workability to place it safely and uniformly in the field, but it is so easy to lose them. The performance and quality of each ingredient become critical at a certain point as the targeted strength increases, but there are some issues that are more critical than others. Certain issues have a much stronger impact on the economics of high-performance concrete, and determine whether or not it will be competitive not only against steel but also against usual concrete. These are the issues that will be addressed in this chapter.
