Carboncast
Encyclopedia
CarbonCast is a precast concrete
technology that uses carbon fiber grid as secondary reinforcing or as a shear truss. It was introduced by AltusGroup, Inc., a national partnership of 14 precast concrete manufacturers and seven industry suppliers founded to expedite the research and national commercialization of concrete innovations.
Precast concrete
By producing precast concrete in a controlled environment , the precast concrete is afforded the opportunity to properly cure and be closely monitored by plant employees. Utilizing a Precast Concrete system offers many potential advantages over site casting of concrete...
technology that uses carbon fiber grid as secondary reinforcing or as a shear truss. It was introduced by AltusGroup, Inc., a national partnership of 14 precast concrete manufacturers and seven industry suppliers founded to expedite the research and national commercialization of concrete innovations.
Products
The CarbonCast line of products includes:- CarbonCast High Performance Insulated Wall Panels are composed of two concrete wythes separated by continuous insulation and connected by C-GRID carbon fiber shear trusses
- CarbonCast Insulated Architectural Cladding feature inner and outer wythes 1-3⁄4″thick or more for a total concrete thickness of 3-1⁄2″. The wythes sandwich a layer of insulation of usually 2″ or more depending on R-valueR-value (insulation)The R-value is a measure of thermal resistance used in the building and construction industry. Under uniform conditions it is the ratio of the temperature difference across an insulator and the heat flux through it or R = \Delta T/\dot Q_A.The R-value being discussed is the unit thermal resistance...
requirements - CarbonCast Architectural Cladding employs a steel reinforced Vierendeel-like truss frame attached to a thin, C-GRID reinforced diaphragm face. Insulating foam forms around patented V-ribs, designed to create a thermal break with the face of the panel, and displaces concrete to provide insulation while C-GRID carbon fiber shear trusses mechanically link the face and truss ribs
- CarbonCast Double Tees replace conventional steel mesh reinforcing in the flange with C-GRID carbon fiber grid
Properties
The use of carbon fiber grid over conventional reinforcement yields a number of unique properties to CarbonCast components:- Lower weight - When carbon fiber grid replaces steel mesh in the face of concrete products, manufacturers can use less concrete cover to protect the mesh from corrosive elements. Non-corrosive carbon fiber eliminates the need for extra concrete
- Improved thermal performance - The relatively low thermal conductivity of carbon fiber permits CarbonCast components to provide higher R-values than conventional precast concrete
- Improved strength - Carbon fiber is four times stronger than steel by weight providing better surface crack control when used as secondary reinforcing and 100% composite action when used as a truss in insulated wall panel
- Comparable cost - Many applications receive savings in foundation and super structure (reduced weight), energy costs (insulation) and maintenance (reduced corrosion)
Applications
There are more than 300 projects totaling more than 17000000 square feet (1,579,351.7 m²) of surface area of CarbonCast technology in these markets:- Education
- Industrial/Warehouse
- Commercial Office
- Parking Structure
- Multi-Family Residential
- Retail
Examples
Prominent structures that have used CarbonCast technology include:- Proximity HotelProximity HotelThe Proximity Hotel , located in Greensboro, North Carolina, is the first Platinum LEED certified green hotel in the United States. Opened in 2007, This 147-room luxury boutique hotel has over of meeting and event space as well as a full-service restaurant...
, Greensboro, NC - Lucas Oil StadiumLucas Oil StadiumLucas Oil Stadium is a multi-purpose sports stadium in Downtown Indianapolis, Indiana. The stadium celebrated its grand opening on August 24, 2008, and its ribbon-cutting ceremony August 16, 2008. It replaced the RCA Dome as the home field of the NFL's Indianapolis Colts. The stadium was built to...
, Indianapolis, IN - University Commons at Georgia State UniversityGeorgia State UniversityGeorgia State University is a research university in downtown Atlanta, Georgia, USA. Founded in 1913, it serves about 30,000 students and is one of the University System of Georgia's four research universities...
, Atlanta, GA