During an educational session on Wed., March 28, the Slag Cement Association (SCA) presented the 2017 Project of the Year Awards. Each project was selected by the SCA’s Technical Marketing Committee because of its exemplary and innovative uses of slag cement in concrete mix design. Nine awards were presented in the following categories: Architectural, Durability, Green Design, High Performance, Innovative Application and Sustainability.
“The SCA’s awards program does a great job of showcasing how versatile slag cement can be, and how it can help create stronger, more durable, and sustainable concrete structures,” said Ed Griffith, SCA president “These case studies are a great resource for the industry.”
A brief overview of the nine projects are below, with more information, photos and videos on each project available at the SCA website, slagcement.org.
Member Company: Lehigh Hanson
Category: Architectural
This building is using 50 percent slag cement in all concrete applications, including foundation, slab-on-grade, paving, sidewalks, casting beds and tilt-up panels. The concrete over-achieved required strength designations and the slag cement also helped contribute to the superior performance of the tilt-up concrete where early lifting strength was required.
Member Company: LafargeHolcim
Category: Durability
Standing 100 feet above the West River valley, Vermont’s first cast in place segmental concrete bridge carries Interstate 91 over Vermont Rt. 30 and West River. Slag cement was used in mass concrete pours and in ternary mixtures to increase bridge strength, reduce permeability and to improve the workability of the concrete.
Member Company: Votorantim St Marys Cement
Category: Sustainability
More than 20 percent slag cement was used as a portland cement replacement to enhance color and reduce overall concrete costs for this elementary school. Slag cement also helped create a more sustainable building by using recycled, local materials and contributes to the buildings overall durability.
Member Company: Lehigh Hanson
Category: Green Design
With a unique triangular-shaped design, this building was created with a major focus on seismic activity concerns within the Northern California region. Approximately 65 percent of the concrete consists of 20-30 percent slag as a cement replacement. The use of slag cement also helped reduce the building’s environmental impact, resulting in an approximate savings of 6.7 million pounds of carbon emissions.
Member Company: Lehigh Hanson
Category: Architectural
This 83-story, mixed-use building uses slag cement in more than 13,000 cubic yards of mat foundation concrete - all vertical elements - and 50 percent of the elevated decks. The slag cement used in mass concrete allowed for higher strength gains and reduced peak heat of hydration.
Member Company: Ash Grove Cement Company
Category: High Performance
Almost 2,000 feet of concrete pavement, widened lanes, sidewalks and two bike lanes are a part of this bridge replacement project. Slag cement was used at 50 percent replacement of portland cement in mass concrete to lower heat of hydration and had an average strength of over 6,700 psi in 56 days.
Member Company: Skyway Cement Company
Category: Innovative Application
After many mix designs were tested, the project team felt slag cement was a must for its beneficial effects on compressive strength, freeze/thaw durability, surface scaling, and rapid chloride permeability. The project included more than 200 mass concrete placements, most including 65-70 percent slag cement.
Member Company: Argos USA
Category: High Performance
The Tampa International Airport recently finished the reconstruction of a 300-foot long by 200-foot wide taxiway bridge. The bridge was built to regularly support the weight of Boeing 777 and Boeing 747 aircraft and used a mix design with a 30 percent slag cement replacement of cementitious material.
Member Company: LafargeHolcim
Category: Green Design
The architectural character of the almost 800,000-square-foot complex uses an interesting material palette, reinforcing the design team’s commitment to sustainability. The mix designs had slag cement replacement percentages from 18.5 percent to 24.4 percent. Overall, slag compromised approximately 23 percent of the cementitious content in the almost 33,000 yards of concrete.
The SCA wanted to also acknowledge three more of the 2017 nominees who deserve honorable mention, as they are great projects that exemplify the versatile applications and durable benefits of slag cement.
Square Lake Interchange in Oakland County, Michigan.
This Michigan Department of Transportation project included over 3 miles of reconstruction and realignment of I-75 mainline and ramps including a future high occupancy vehicle lane, replacing the bridge structures at 3 major intersections.
This stretch of traffic has an average daily traffic count of 110 thousand vehicles.
30% slag cement was used.
MLK & I-71 Interchange in Cincinnati, Ohio
This Ohio Department of Transportation project included slag cement to meet the project mix requirements for permeability, but also seasonal set-time considerations, and brighter roadways (due to lighter color)
Out of more than 25,000 yd3 of concrete (with 30% slag included) the project had 0 low breaks or testing failures.
All mixes achieved the strength, air and permeability requirements.
Lear Nagle Rd. in North Ridgeville, Ohio
The Project reconstructed a two lane asphalt road into a widened three lane concrete road.
Slag Cement was used in the concrete pavement, curbs and sidewalks. The concrete mix used was an air entrained concrete with 25% slag cement
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The SCA has been running its annual awards program since 2010. Current and past award winners are featured on the SCA website, slagcement.org. The Slag Cement Association represents companies that produce and ship slag cement (ground granulated blast furnace slag) though the USA. The Slag Cement Association serves as the leading source of knowledge for slag cement and slag blended cements through promotion, education, and technology development.
NVIDIA Photos courtesy of Central Concrete. Photographer: David Sievert AIRPHOTO DESIGNS.