Advances in carbon fiber grid reinforced concrete

CarbonCast in Carbon Fiber Gear blog

2009-08-26T16:42:00.003-04:00

The good people at the Carbon Fiber Gear blog -- one of the leading resources for what's hot with carbon fiber applications -- have featured information about CarbonCast and carbon fiber reinforcing in precast concrete in their latest post. Check it out.

Wall panel test video

2009-08-10T13:28:00.002-04:00

Under the supervision of Dr. Sami Rizkalla and Gregory Lucier at the Constructed Facilities Laboratory at North Carolina State University, the AltusGroup Technical Committee tested recently completed a 50-year test of a 42-foot-long CarbonCast HPIWP. The panels consisted of two 6-foot wide wythes of prestressed concrete, each 2 inches thick, bonded to an inner 4” thick layer of expanded polystyrene (EPS) foam. Carbon fiber grid was used to connect the two wythes of concrete at selected locations to achieve composite action. The panel was tested oriented horizontally in a rig that allowed for the application matching lateral loads at the quarterspans. The panel was oriented on its edge to prevent selfweight from influencing the lateral loading behavior.

Reverse-cyclic lateral loads were applied to simulate the effects of wind pressure and suction. The panel was subjected to nearly 4,000 cycles of reverse-cyclic fatigue at 45% of the factored lateral load. Following the fatigue regime, lateral loads on the panels were increased to failure.

In general, the tested panel behaved elastically to load levels close to the factored design load of 1.6W. A high degree of composite action was observed at all load levels, and beyond the elastic stage, the panel exhibited a very ductile load-deflection response. The carbon fiber grid shear transfer mechanism proved effective in maintaining the structural integrity of the panel even at high levels of overstress.

Advances in cement

2009-03-30T22:48:00.003-04:00

Excellent article today in the New York Times about technological advances in cement production and use in concrete. Of course, concrete reinforcing has also been advancing with the use of carbon fiber grid.

Carbon accounting methods

2009-03-20T12:40:00.002-04:00

Here's a good article from Architectural Record about efforts to "place more emphasis on reducing carbon emissions and mitigating global warming" in the various building rating systems worldwide. A unified worldwide standard is not imminent, but the cooperation will likely lead to some consistency in objectives, measurement and language.

Innovative precast research

2009-03-04T05:13:00.003-05:00

Dr. Sami Rizkalla -- one of the technical advisors to AltusGroup -- is heavily involved with precast concrete research. A release from North Carolina State University explains spandrel designs that use less reinforcing steel. In coming weeks, Dr. Rizkalla will conduct research for AltusGroup on a new wall panel design that will offer additional insulation properties in a strong but lightweight configuration.

ENR: new green-concrete technology announced

2009-02-20T06:33:00.002-05:00

An article in ENR discusses a new technology that makes cement from flue gas and seawater, rendering a new type of concrete that sequesters carbon without disturbing its traditional binder: portland cement. Read more.

Carbon fiber grid at World of Concrete

2009-01-28T14:56:00.002-05:00

AltusGroup member Chomarat NA will showcase the advanced composite reinforcement technology that has made the company one of the world’s leading innovators in precast development, custom reinforcement products and structural grids using carbon fiber, fiberglass and aramid technology. The company invites industry professionals interested in learning more about these and other valuable reinforcement technology solutions to visit Chomarat’s World of Concrete booth (S13451) during the event. Chomarat will provide product literature, recent project profiles and new product information. Read the entire news release from Chomarat.

Versatility of carbon fiber

2009-01-20T09:46:00.002-05:00

Thought this was interesting -- Yo Yo Ma will be playing a carbon fiber cello at the inauguration ceremony. It's just more evidence of a material technology that's becoming increasing mainstream.

Winchester (Va.) Garage melds classic look with carbon fiber precast technology

2009-01-15T11:01:00.007-05:00

The past and the future are coming together in Virgina.

Winchester’s charming Kent Street is getting a new $7.68-million parking garage melding aesthetics that reflect the city’s historic architecture with construction technology that represents the leading edge in precast concrete.

AltusGroup precaster Shockey Precast Group used CarbonCast Pretopped Double Tees in the engineering, manufacturing and erection of the 540-space garage. In Reed Construction News, Shockey Project Manager Gary Ball said:

The precast includes C-GRID carbon fiber grid reinforced double tees that help make the structure lighter and stronger. Stainless steel fasteners are being used on the project. Both the carbon fiber and the stainless steel are non-corrosive, thus eliminating what is often a parking garage owner's biggest maintenance headache — problems relating to corrosion.

Lucus Oil Stadium uses carbon fiber reinforced precast, named "project of year"

2008-12-29T11:39:00.003-05:00

The new Lucas Oil Stadium in Indianapolis -- home of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts -- -- features an insulated, brick-inlay architectural facade with CarbonCast® Insulated Wall Panels provided by AltusGroup members Gate Precast and High Concrete Group LLC. Midwest Construction magazine named Lucas Oil Stadium its 2008 Project of the Year.

The project required nearly 400,000 sq. ft. of limestone-finished architectural precast featuring blasted accents and embedded brick. With C-GRID® shear grid reinforcement connecting the interior and exterior concrete wythes, the 8” thick 3-2-3 CarbonCast Insulated Wall Panels will maximize energy efficiency and reduce the possibility of condensation and mold. Because the carbon fiber shear trusses used to connect the panel wythes have relatively low thermal conductivity, the panels provide an even insulation profile; they do not have problems with hot spots or cold spots that can plague other wythe connection options.

Precast concrete - CarbonCast in exteriors feature

2008-12-16T14:53:00.003-05:00

Commercial Building Products has featured CarbonCast technology in its December 2008 coverage of exteriors. Additionally, AltusGroup innovation partner Essroc had its Tx Active photocatalytic cement covered in the same issue.

Magazine recognizes AltusGroup as leader in concrete industry

2008-12-09T12:36:00.003-05:00

The Concrete Producer has profiled AltusGroup as one of its yearly "People who matter" in an article section entitled "Industry Influencers have one thing in common: change for the better." Managing Editor Tom Bagsarian recognizes AltusGroup's progress in expediting the product design and commercialization process:

What's even more impressive about this effort is that the group has cut implementation time in half. Many concrete industry experts suggest that a good idea takes at least 12 years to gain any market share. But in less than three years after incorporating, AltusGroup sold more than 6 million square feet of product on more than 60 projects in 16 states.

CarbonCast makes Arch Record 2008 product list - concrete category

2008-12-03T13:46:00.003-05:00

A jury of architectural professionals has selected CarbonCast Double Tees as one of the year's most remarkable building products in Architectural Record's Product Reports 2008. CarbonCast is only one of five products to be recognized in the "Concrete and Masonry" category.

CarbonCast Double Tees replace conventional welded wire mesh in the flange (deck) with carbon fiber grid, eliminating the potential for corrosion. The use of non-corrosive carbon fiber allows AltusGroup precasters to use less concrete cover above the reinforcement, which leads to reductions in weight, embedded energy and shipping costs, among other benefits.

Carbon fiber reinforced precast recognized by Architect magazine

2008-09-10T11:16:00.001-04:00

Citing its “potential for revolutionizing the use of concrete,” Architect magazine has named CarbonCast a citation-winner in its annual juried R+D Awards. The September 2008 issue of the magazine places CarbonCast alongside other remarkable building products that “demonstrate that architectural technology is alive and well – and evolving in remarkable ways.” Read Katie Gerfen's article.

Reducing CO2 of cement

2008-03-11T22:55:00.002-04:00

An excellent article in today's Christian Science Monitor explores how the cement industry is looking for ways to reduce its CO2 emissions. The article explains that "the manufacture of cement is relatively efficient when compared with other building materials, such as steel and wood." It's impact with CO2 stems from its widespread use as a building material.

AltusGroup Innovation Partner Essroc Italcemente is mentioned favorably in the article for its remarkable TX Active technology, which effectively destroys airborne pollutants that are responsible for urban organic pollution.

Of course, because CarbonCast precast products can reduce the amount of concrete needed, they also lower the amount of cement required, hence lowering the product's carbon footprint.

Insulfoam joins AltusGroup as Innovation Partner

2008-03-01T23:04:00.003-05:00

InsulFoam, a leading manufacturer of molded expanded polystyrene, has joined AltusGroup as an Innovation Partner. AltusGroup Innovation Partners contribute their technical expertise and marketing strength toward the advancement of CarbonCast® technology made using C-GRID® carbon fiber grid reinforcement.

InsulFoam is the largest United States producer of block molded expanded polystyrene (EPS) manufactured under the InsulFoam® and R-Tech® brands for roofing insulation, precast wall systems, wall and sheathing systems, OEM ga¬rage door manufacturers, foundation and slab insulation, Geofoam applications and numerous other building and construction applications. InsulFoam also offers design and engineering capabilities to its customers

Read the entire news release.

BD+C: CarbonCast "rocks your next concrete project"

2008-01-10T14:09:00.000-05:00

An article in the January 2008 issue of Building Design & Construction highlights CarbonCast as one of "eight innovations that will rock your next concrete project." The article, which interviews author-architect Blaine Brownell, discusses the lighter weight and durability benefits of CarbonCast products.

Summer 2007 Newsletter Available

2007-08-01T13:32:00.000-04:00

The newest edition of the AltusGroup "Precast Perspectives" newsletter is available for download. It features articles on how CarbonCast can help achieve LEED certification, current fatigue strength research, recent projects and upcoming events.

Toho Tenax joins AltusGroup as Innovation Partner

2007-07-26T13:45:00.000-04:00

Toho Tenax America (www.tohotenaxamerica.com), a leading manufacturer of carbon fiber, has joined AltusGroup™ (www.altusprecast.com) as an Innovation Partner. AltusGroup Innovation Partners contribute their technical expertise and marketing strength toward the advancement of CarbonCast™ technology made using C-GRID™ carbon fiber grid reinforcement.

Toho Tenax is the global producer of the TENAX® brand of high performance carbon fibers, which are used in structural composites for Aircraft, Automotive, Wind Energy, Recreation, Offshore Oil and Civil Engineering. Toho Tenax is a member of Teijin Ltd., the world’s largest supplier of advanced fibers; whose products include para-aramid fibers such as TWARON® and TECHNORA®.

Read more.