Resource Library For Engineers

Buildings Sequester Carbon: Repositioning the Building Industry

The American Institute of Architects' 94th President, Carl Elefante, discusses why decarbonization—especially embodied carbon reduction—will become a key differentiator for concrete producers and shape the future of the buildings and construction industry.

The Case for Performance-Based Concrete Specs

Dr. Michael Thomas, a world-renowned expert on concrete durability, dispels the decades-old concrete myths that still influence construction today, and makes the case for structural engineers to utilize performance-based concrete specs.

CarbonCure’s Impact on the GWP of Concrete

Concrete made with CarbonCure reduces the carbon impact (GWP) of concrete by 4-6% and may be used in addition to other carbon-reducing strategies.

CarbonCure Ready Mix Specification Insert

Recommended specification language for incorporating concrete that has undergone in-situ carbon dioxide (CO₂) mineralization using the CarbonCure Technology into ready mix concrete specifications and/or procurement policies.

Specification Considerations for Engineers

Engineers play a vital role in reducing embodied CO₂ by adopting concrete specification best practices, which are contained in this brochure.

CarbonCure FAQ for Engineers

An in-depth resource covering all of the information structural engineers need to know about building with CO₂ mineralized concrete.

CarbonCure Durability Assessment Report

This technical note reviews the conclusion that concrete treated with CO₂ had fresh state properties consistent with the desired performance. The required workability and air content was achieved. The surface resistivity, bulk resistivity and RCPT indicated that the two batches had comparable permeability. Corrosion measurements indicated corrosion had not started in either sample and pore solution pH was unaltered by the CO₂ treatment. Flexural strength increased 6%.

Types of Concrete Carbonation

Concrete can be subjected to two distinct types of carbonation, weathering carbonation and early age carbonation. The CarbonCure Technology uses early age carbonation to sequester CO₂ into concrete. The document explores both types of carbonation in more detail.

CarbonCure Ready Mix Technology Trial Results

Industrial pilot testing results of the carbonated ready mix concrete are presented in this technical note. The process created nanocrystalline carbonate reaction products that positively effected the early hydration and the compressive strength. The carbonated concrete was as much as 20% stronger than the control concrete without any compromise in pore solution pH or risk for chloride penetrability.

Impact of CO₂ Utilization in Fresh Concrete on Corrosion

This document explains the difference between early carbonation and atmospheric carbonation, and how early carbonation has a benign impact on steel corrosion. A detailed description of why early carbonation does not increase the risk of steel corrosion is included.

CarbonCure Masonry Specification Insert

Recommended specification language for incorporating concrete masonry units that have undergone in-situ carbon dioxide (CO₂) mineralization using the CarbonCure Technology into concrete masonry specifications and/or procurement policies.