Location: Chicago, Illinois
Award: Architectural
Project Team
Owner: Lendlease
Contractor: McHugh Concrete Construction
Architect: Perkins and Will
Engineer: MKA
Concrete: Oremus Material
Slag Cement: Skyway Cement
The Reed at Southbank is a 43-story cast-in-place concrete structure that required over 30,000 yd3 (23,000 m3) for the first high-rise using low-carbon concrete in Chicago, IL, USA. Oremus Material and Master Builders Solutions collaborated to provide concrete that had great performance, pumpability, and finishability, and also an aesthetic finish for the exposed columns and ceilings.
The use of slag cement aided in the low heat mass placements, improved pumpability, improved sustainability, and achievement of high-strength concrete with aesthetic appeal.
The use of concrete mixtures with low GWP allowed for obtaining 18-hour high-strength concrete for post-tensioning applications necessary for 3-day deck cycles to maintain McHugh Concrete’s efficient high-rise schedule.
The Reed at Southbank Presentations:
Using Green Concrete to Build The Reed at Southbank, Chicago, IL
Presented by Eamonn Connolly, McHugh Concrete Construction
The Reed at Southbank Low Carbon Considerations
Presented by Reza Nili, Oremus Material
Application Type
% Slag Cement Replacement | 20%-50% |
% Portland Cement | 30%-70% |
% Portland Limestone Cement | |
% Other SCM (if applicable) | Class F ash (20%) |
Aggregate | Crushed Granite |
Water/cement ratio | .33-.46 |
7-day strengths | |
28-day strengths | 3000 psi - 10000 psi |