Forum discussion

Low carbon concrete (polished concrete slabs/architectural concrete) feedback

Hello, I'm wondering if anyone out in the network has experience with the following:

>Low carbon concete mixes for polished concrete slabs: we're hearing concerns from our concrete supplier that using a low carbon mix design for a polished concrete slab will cause pitting. What experience do others have?

>Low carbon concrete mixes for architectural concrete elements: What are the challenges here? No particular push back on this item yet. I would expect we'll have to do a ton of mock-ups (look/feel/texture), but it would great if others have lessons-learned to share here.

Unfortunatley, Carbon Cure suppliers are not available in the markets we're exploring these issues in, but looking at other mix designs with SCMs. As an aside, happy to have the feedback on the above items related to Carbon Cure also - as I expect to be using it on a project shortly.

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Thu, 04/08/2021 - 19:19

Hi Jennifer -  I ran this past one of our low carbon concrete suppliers and here's his response: This is correct.  High SCM, low cement mixes do not polish as well as 100% cement mixes with a higher sack content. I've done a bit of Carbon Cure research recently as well.  It isn't available in my market either however, of our 3 largest suppliers, one had their mixes tested with CC and they were only able to get about a 3% reduction.  One of the other ones had it installed at one of their other locations and did not get good reduction and have removed it.  My understanding is for CC to pencil out for a supplier, they have to sell at least 10,000 CY per month.  Our suppliers are having good reductions with type 1L cement and slag or fly ash.   Hope this helps.

Thu, 04/08/2021 - 21:51

Can you pour the carbon cure slab and/or mixes with slag or fly ash, and then pour a topping slab that’s regular weight that can be polished? Lois F

Thu, 04/08/2021 - 22:17

Sometimes there are other reasons to use topping slabs for polished concrete, but adding a topping slab in many cases might just increase overall carbon footprint. Unless you're thinking about a thin topping designed for this purpose, like TRU PC. This can be pretty expensive but might equate to less carbon in combination with a low-carbon structural slab. Mike

Thu, 04/08/2021 - 22:33

Yup! That’s what I was thinking Mike Lois Vitt Sale, FAIA, LEED Fellow Senior Vice President Wight & Company 2500 North Frontage Road Darien, IL 60561630.969.7000 | d 630.739.7514 | m 630.450.1662 | f 630.969.7979 www.wightco.com On

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