Progressive mass concrete solutions

The opportunity Infastructure issues A national infrastructure in need of 150,000 bridges need repairs 1 repairs, coupled with the dawn of 10,000 dams with a new era of public works projects high-hazard potential 2 not seen in decades, is placing large-scale projects such as dams, bridges and buildings under greater scrutiny than ever before. Both the literal and figurative foundations of these projects will be poured in mass quantities of concrete.

Two football field-sized precast segments weighing 11,000 and 9,500 tons were floated 27 miles up the Monongahela River and set down atop the drilled shaft foundation to form the new base of the Braddock lock and dam in Pittsburgh, PA. The mix for the segments contained 60% Holcim GranCem® Slag Cement.

Using a higher percentage of slag cement in your mass concrete projects delivers strength, durability and eco-efficiency. Challenges with pouring mass concrete. When pouring mass quantities of concrete, it is a common practice to use varying mixes of portland cement or supplemental cementitious materials such as slag cement or fly ash. These mixes are used to help control the amount of heat generated as the concrete cures and Rock and Roll Hall of Fame – Cleveland, OH helps maintain structural integrity. Nearly 17,000 cubic yards of Envirocore™ GranCem® Slag Cement were used in the construction of the museum, including a 10-foot thick foundation Advantages of blended cements. While concrete has not changed much over supporting the structure’s 168 foot tall tower. The foundation for the tower rests under water in the the centuries, engineers and builders are discovering new and improved ways to North Coast Harbor, an inlet of Lake Erie. handle mass concrete projects. Using a higher percentage of slag cement in your mix – even up to 70% – yields the performance you need for large projects, while 1 Calculations based on 600,000 bridges in U.S., reducing your environmental footprint at the same time. http://nationalatlas.gov/transportation.html. Of those, 25% of bridges need repairs. “Key Facts About America’s Road and Bridge Conditions and Federal Funding,” Benefits of using more slag in your mix The Road Information Program (TRIP), http://www.tripnet.org/NationalFactSheetAug2008.pdf • Produces less heat, maintains structural integrity. 2 “Report Card for America’s Infrastructure: • Can reduce the concrete permeability. Dams,” American Society of Civil Engineers, • Slag is a co-processed industrial by-product, which replaces non-renewable http://www.asce.org/reportcard/2005/page.cfm?id=23, 2008. natural resources in the cements.

Mass Concrete Progressive solutions for mass concrete

As one of the world’s leading manufacturers of cement – the critical ingredient that binds concrete Holcim Product Options for Mass Concrete – we at Holcim understand the importance you place on quality materials. But there is also a Product Name Product Type Envirocore Blend growing movement within the industry from both Portland/Fly Ash ASTM C 595 blended cement (IP) the public and government regulators for greener Portland/Slag ASTM C 595 blended cement (IS) building products and more sustainable construction Fly Ash ASTM C 618 fly ash methods. That’s why we are creating reliable products that can help you design and build a better Slag Cement ASTM C 989 slag cement world, like our eco-efficient Envirocore™ line of Note: Historically these materials have been used in mass concrete. As with all mix designs, however, the products used and their proportions should be validated with testing prior to use. cements and mortars. In particular, our GranCem® Slag Cement offers exceptional performance for mass concrete projects. In addition to a full range of proven eco-efficient and traditional products, with Holcim Envirocore products give you you also get a partnership backed by LEED-accredited professionals to help ensure you the performance of traditional can provide a product that helps your customers’ projects achieve certification in the portland cements in your mass face of increasing green building regulations. concrete projects, but do so with a lower carbon footprint. This is This commitment to sustainable development is also supported by our use of alternative accomplished by using less virgin energy sources, extensive plant upgrades to make us more energy efficient and, raw material. whenever possible, wise transportation choices like rail and barge.

I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge – Minneapolis, MN In one of most high profile examples of the need for upgraded infrastructure, this new span replaces the old I-35 bridge that collapsed into the Mississippi River in August 2007. The failed bridge, which carried 140,000 vehicles a day, was estimated to have cost the region a loss of $400,000 daily due to transportation disruptions. The new bridge, which was completed in just over 11 months, contains Envirocore GranCem Slag Cement in its foundation drilled shafts, footings and piers.1

The big picture While access to a complete line of high-performance cements is a necessity in the building industry, the best products in the world do you little good if you can’t get what you want, when and where you need it.

To help ensure that happens, we have a network of plants located around the country. Manufacturing product on a regional level means you not only get a wide choice of products, but you also get cements customized for your local climate conditions.

You can also rest assured that the Holcim products you use are rigorously tested in our own laboratories. But we do not stop there. We also confirm these results at both independent facilities and major universities to ensure you get consistent performance.

In addition, you have access to our staff of renowned technical service engineers, many of whom are global experts in their fields. From them, you get unparalleled knowledge about cements, concrete, specifications and standards – and the latest developments for concrete use in a variety of construction applications.

For more information and additional resources, please call 888.646.5246. Kennywood Amusement Park ride. The foundation of the 200-foot high Pit Fall thrill ride near Pittsburgh, PA is comprised of a monolithic mass concrete casting nearly 20 feet thick. It contains 65% Envirocore™ GranCem® Slag Cement. 1 I-35W St. Anthony Falls Bridge, Minnesota Department of Transportation, http://projects.dot.state.mn.us/35wbridge/index.html, 2008.

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