Free Design Assistance Program

Design Assistance Application Form (PDF) | Parking Lot Sample Design Proposal (PDF)

Jointing Plan Sample (PDF) | Parking Lot Design Assistance Program Handout (PDF)

concrete parking With concrete reaching initial-cost parity with asphalt in most markets, owners are increasingly demanding consideration for both materials before paving project designs are finalized.

To assist designers and specifiers that recognize this trend but are not familiar with concrete paving, NRMCA provides detailed road and parking lot design recommendations, including CAD jointing plans. This program helps specifiers deliver quality paving designs to ensure successful concrete projects. DAP services are provided for conventional concrete projects as well as pervious, roller compacted and concrete overlay designs.

Please contact NRMCA’s Amanda Hult at ahult@nrmca.org or 720-648-0323 with any questions and to submit a project request, or click here for the National Resource Director in your region.

How much will the service cost for specifiers?

DAP recommendations are free. Equivalent consulting services would usually cost $1,000 or more.

Beyond considering the design recommendations, what else are we asking for?

NRMCA requests all receiving free assistance to help track project outcomes, whatever they may be.

How fast will I receive Design Suggestions?

plans Typical design assistance projects will be released within 5 to 7 business days. Very large or complex designs and those requiring detailed hydrological designs and calculations may take up to 10 business days to complete.

What will be included in the Design Suggestions?

NRMCA will provide its best recommendation for a concrete pavement jointing plan for the subject site, developed with consideration of constructability, long-term performance, economy, and aesthetics. For parking lots, the following specifics apply as long as necessary project information is provided. If limited information about the project and site is provided, all these details may not be feasible to address. For details about streets and road projects, please contact Amanda Hult or one of NRMCA’s National Resource Directors.

1	Scale CAD drawing with jointing plan and suggested typical design details including curbs, gutters, drains, contraction joints, isolation joints, construction joints, thickened edges, tied joints, doweled joints, etc.
	Following the guidelines of the concrete pavement industry.
	With alternatives for pervious pavement sections if applicable.
2	A detailed transmittal letter, which may include the following:
	Recommended concrete pavement thicknesses to be determined by acceptable engineering practices for anticipated loading conditions, including ACI 330R Guide for Design and Construction of Concrete Parking Lots, NRMCA’s Concrete Pavement Analyst (CPA) software and other thickness design software programs offered by the American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA).
	Potential sources of project specifications
	Base Materials
	Potential for LEED points
	Subgrade and drainage, for pavements with and without detention
	Hydrological illustration for pervious concrete projects
3	Disclaimer stating that the Design Suggestions are not every known fact about concrete pavement but complies with current industry standards. The final design is the responsibility of the engineer on record for the project.

What feedback will I be expected to provide?

The project submitting organization agrees to assist NRMCA to determine if the DAP service led to concrete paving construction or not, for whatever period of time is required to be reasonably certain of the outcome. In addition, NRMCA may contact the project design team to determine if the design suggestions were helpful in designing the paving project.