Last time in this interview series, we looked at just how effective Hard-Cem is as a solution for increasing concrete abrasion resistance. (For a recap, take a look at our first part and second part in this interview series!)

Unlike conventional surface-applied products, Hard-Cem has a worry-free application process. And on top of that, it has been proven to be effective through third-party testing. Part of that testing involved a modified ASTM C627 test, which showed just how resistant Hard-Cem made concrete to abrasive forces.

However, that’s not all it has going for it. Hard-Cem can also help construction professionals with their sustainability efforts. To see how, we asked Kryton Technical Director Jeff Bowman for more insight.

First, why don’t we review the environmental concerns surrounding concrete?

I’m sure many people are aware that roughly, for every 1 ton of Portland cement that’s manufactured, 1 ton of CO2 is released into the atmosphere. But of course, we don’t make buildings out of cement. We make them out of concrete. So I think it’s more useful to look at the final carbon load of the concrete itself.

Where can we learn about the final carbon load of concrete?

Now, there are many industry resources for this. The one that I’d like to draw from today is the Canadian Ready-Mixed Concrete Association’s environmental product declaration. It has a wide range of information and breaks concrete down by strength class. It also publishes industry benchmarks for each strength class.

But for just a broad view of the information displayed, you can see that depending on the concrete strength and many other factors, the carbon load of that concrete is normally going to range about 250 kg to 500 kg of CO2 per cubic meter of concrete.

That’s a significant environmental investment. So you really want to make sure your concrete is going to be durable and last a long time with minimal maintenance.

How does Hard-Cem help mitigate this carbon issue?

Well, first of all, just by having Hard-Cem reduce the wear and tear of abrasion on a concrete slab, you’re reducing, delaying, and often preventing some of that maintenance activity you’d otherwise need to do to replace that concrete or grind it down and resurface it. You can avoid using more concrete to fix it at a later time.

Hard-Cem can also help you make more efficient choices with your concrete. Sometimes, the structural requirements of a project are satisfied with a typical mid-strength concrete.

But to ensure good abrasion resistance, a higher strength concrete is used instead. This increases the carbon footprint and is an inefficient use of resources. Hard-Cem may allow the lower strength option to be used instead while still designing for abrasion resistance. This can allow the use of more environmentally efficient concrete without sacrificing abrasion performance.

So, Hard-Cem can help reduce the carbon footprint now and down the road?

Yes, it can.

Remember, depending on the application, oftentimes, a higher strength concrete may introduce some problems that are actually detrimental to the overall performance of the job, such as increased shrinkage, cracking, and curling.

So using a more conventional mix with Hard-Cem can help you avoid these problems while still achieving excellent abrasion durability.

What about Hard-Cem’s carbon footprint?

The carbon footprint of Hard-Cem is very small. It’s only a percentage or two of the overall mix. As we often see with admixtures, it gives you very good performance value relative to its environmental impact.

What does all that mean for the lifetime carbon footprint of a structure?

Being able to produce a sustainable mix now is a very worthy goal. But it’s true that it’s also important to take a look at the lifetime carbon footprint of that structure. Depending on the maintenance and replacement cycle, the lifetime carbon footprint can be much higher than the original construction cost.

Now, we have a really interesting case study on this: the New Afton Mine. This is near Kamloops, British Columbia, Canada, and was built in 2011.

In the ore collection and processing area, within three years, the mine had so much wear and tear just from the mining equipment. And with the ore on the ground being pressed into the concrete and ground between those wheels, the owners had to replace, not just resurface but replace, the concrete in that area within only three years. So they were set on a three-year replacement interval, which is not very sustainable.

But in 2014, they replaced it with Hard-Cem concrete, and that concrete is still performing today. So what you can see here is that by investing in durability, they’ve been able to skip at least two replacement events. And they’re actually partway through what would have been their third.

In short, Hard-Cem has reduced the lifetime carbon footprint by almost 50%. And that’s just so far.

Thank you for all that detail, Jeff! It seems that Hard-Cem really will protect concrete against abrasion better than traditional methods. It’s also easy to install and doesn’t change a concrete mix’s properties. And on top of that, it reduces your carbon footprint, increases the durability and life cycle of your concrete, and has been in successful performance for years. What more could you ask for from a concrete hardening solution!

The post Concrete Abrasion Resistance: The Bad, the Good, and the Better (Interview Part 3) appeared first on Kryton.

When it comes to commercial flooring, concrete is one of the most popular choices.

For both creative and practical reasons, many businesses typically choose concrete floors for their stores, patios, and walkways. 

On top of being durable and easy to install, this type of flooring also offers an array of other benefits, including:

1. Infinite design possibilities

Concrete flooring is available in a wide range of colors and patterns. Any hue can be created to accent your commercial property’s interior.

In addition to picking from an array of beautiful colors, you can also create a unique custom design. For example, you may want a pattern or logo that matches the branding of your business. Some concrete contractors are even capable of creating specialty textures with stamped concrete that replicate wood grain or natural stone materials.

2. Easy to clean

If you have a high volume of foot traffic in your commercial property, concrete is the perfect flooring option. Not only does it withstand heavy use and wear and tear, but concrete floors don’t absorb dirt or moisture, making spills much easier to spot and wipe up. All you need is a mop or broom

Concrete floors are also more resistant to water damage, so your property is better protected against leaks and spills that can cause significant damage otherwise.

This type of flooring also doesn’t harbor allergens or bacteria, so it’s perfect for high-traffic facilities like hospitals where many people may be affected by dust particles and other allergens that accumulate in carpets or rugs.

3. Reduces noise pollution and energy costs

Concrete offers a high degree of sound insulation, which can be especially useful in the workplace.

If you work in an environment where there’s a lot of phone conversations and meetings taking place throughout the day, concrete floors will act as an effective barrier against the noise, rather than amplifying it like carpet does.

Additionally, concrete floors will also help keep your energy bill down in the long term because they offer a high degree of thermal insulation. This means that you won’t have to adjust your heating and cooling system as much throughout the winter or summer months.

4. Lasts up to 40 years

Concrete floors can last for decades (up to 40 years) as long as they’re properly maintained and installed.

With this type of flooring, you won’t have to deal with the hassle of replacing materials every few years, saving you time and money in the long term. However, it’s important to note that concrete isn’t perfect; you will likely need to repair a few cracks here and there as time goes on. Otherwise, these imperfections will compromise the integrity of your flooring and make it susceptible to further damage.

Fortunately, these types of repairs are relatively minor and can be completed in a matter of hours by a professional contractor without too much trouble. 

While there are many distinct advantages to using concrete for your commercial flooring, the success or failure of your project ultimately depends on picking the right contractor. Our professionals at Port Aggregates are highly skilled in creating beautiful, precise pours every time. Contact us today to request a quote

The post 4 Benefits of Using Concrete for Your Commercial Flooring appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.bellanovatravel.net/?p=46

When you think of general concrete waterproofing, you probably envision membranes or crystalline waterproofing admixtures. But those aren’t the only aspects you need to consider for waterproofing. In fact, you should think of them as part of a more holistic approach to waterproofing. With only membranes or concrete admixtures, you’re not protecting your entire structure from water ingress. You’re missing out on protection for areas like tie holes, pipe penetrations, construction joints, and control joints.

It only takes one of those areas to remain exposed to water for there to be a water ingress problem. After all, as the Construction Waterproofing Handbook notes, 90% of water ingress issues happen within only 1% of the total structure’s surface.

That’s why you need solutions like our Krytonite

Swelling Waterstop, which seals concrete construction joints, protecting them from water. Such solutions, however, aren’t always given the attention they deserve.

To see why that is and why changing that in favor of Krytonite and more is better, we’ve turned to our territory manager for the Eastern United States, Christian Warren. With over 13 years of technical territory sales and operations management experience in concrete waterproofing construction and a background in ready-mix quality control, Christian knows just how valuable it is to give each concrete detail its due. And it’s why he’ll be discussing the value of Krytonite with us today.

Thank you for joining us here, Christian. While all aspects of waterproofing are necessary, waterstops like Krytonite are not often the first part to come to mind for builders. Why is that?

Thanks for inviting me.

As you mentioned, waterstops tend to not get the spotlight that’s needed. As they’re encased inside concrete, it becomes easy to forget about them (it’s like the old saying goes: “out of sight, out of mind”). That’s the case for both waterproofing successes and failures.

Successes tend to be attributed to the whole waterproofing system. And failures are no different. In either situation, it’s difficult to diagnose the waterstop’s successful contribution to the waterproofing system because it takes destructive techniques to the concrete joint to even see the waterstop’s condition.

What about Krytonite itself? What makes it stand out from the other waterstops on the market?

While the installation of Krytonite will be familiar to those who have installed bentonite or other swelling waterstops, the performance of the product is top-level.

For performance comparison, bentonite waterstops offer entry-level capabilities. They’re often inexpensive and mostly ineffective, even in low-risk applications. Part of that is due to their uncontrolled swelling and inability to hold up through wet-dry cycles. Because of that, there is a risk of the concrete blowing out due to high internal pressures, damaging the structure and incurring high maintenance costs as bentonite waterstops deteriorate quickly due to their clay-based composition.

Meanwhile, Krytonite offers greater performance. It’s designed with advanced elastomeric hydrophilic polymers, which is a superior form of technology to that of bentonite. As a result, Krytonite offers better compression sealing, stability, and longevity.

For compression sealing, Krytonite can swell more than 10x its original size. That is up to 4x more than competitors. And with its unique trapezoid shape, Krytonite can minimize the possibility of voids in the concrete.

For stability, Krytonite takes advantage of controlled swelling that allows for proper concrete strength development. It also ensures that Krytonite will never blow out the concrete due to unchecked internal pressures.

And for longevity, Krytonite is made to be cohesive, remaining intact for the life of the concrete structure. It’s a stark contrast to bentonite waterstops, as those are expected to disintegrate eventually, especially under extreme conditions and constant wet-dry cycling.

Of course, the greater value with Krytonite is not just the top-level performance but its cost and warranty. How Kryton has priced it and given it a 10-year limited warranty makes this waterstop a huge value add. It ensures that contractors can get guaranteed top-level performance for entry-level pricing with Krytonite.

So, Krytonite comes with great performance and value. A significant factor for the performance side of things seems to be the product’s superior swelling. Just how does that work? And for how long?

So, Krytonite will swell only in the presence of water. Depending on that water’s source and where the Krytonite is situated, contractors will see variations in that swelling. For instance, to see Krytonite swell up to 1,000% of its size, the waterstop would have to be unconstrained and come into contact with clean water. But when it’s placed within a joint, Krytonite will only expand as much as necessary. So that means expanding until it has enough pressure to stop the flow of water.

Krytonite will stay that way so long as there is water present.

Can it seal more than just construction joints with this ability?

Yes, you can use Krytonite to seal around other items fully embedded in concrete. These might be pipes, studs, or tie rod sleeves.

Is it able to withstand water contaminated with salts, acid, or hydrocarbons?

Whether the water has salt, acid, or hydrocarbon contamination, Krytonite will still be able to activate and operate as normal. It’s all thanks to its unique synthetic rubber technology. Because of the technology’s cohesive properties, Krytonite will not deteriorate if it encounters contaminated water.

Still, to maintain quality, I recommend that contractors confirm the Krytonite’s stability with Kryton’s technical department if the contaminated water levels are particularly high.

How do you get Krytonite to adhere to concrete? Does it matter if the surface is damp?

To get Krytonite to adhere to concrete, you should first apply Krytonite Adhesive along the center of the construction joint. Then, press the Krytonite into the adhesive. When doing this, you should have enough adhesive on the surface that it comes out the sides of the pressed Krytonite.

This is the most optimal way of making sure that Krytonite stays firmly attached to the concrete surface.

That remains the case even if the concrete surface is damp as the adhesive can keep Krytonite up off the damp surface enough for the Krytonite to bond properly. That only works, however, if the surface is not too wet and is free from debris and pooling water.

Of course, if you’re set on using a different adhesive, the next best option is a one-component polyurethane construction adhesive.

Once applied, will it need protection?

Yes. It is possible for Krytonite to tolerate some early water exposure, but you should still take care to protect it from as much rain and moisture as possible before pouring concrete. Otherwise, the Krytonite could end up debonding.

To prevent that from happening, make sure the Krytonite is fully shielded from weather and moisture. A way to accomplish that might involve covering it with plastic to put a barrier between it and any possible water ingress.

Is there anything you’d recommend adding with Krytonite to waterproof construction joints and details?

While Krytonite will do an excellent job at protecting concrete construction joints and other small details, it works best with the KrystolWaterstop System. Under that system, you have Krytonite as well as Krystol Waterstop Treatment

, Krystol Waterstop Grout

, and Crack Inducing Waterstop.

When used in varying combinations, they can offer contractors a robust waterproof jointing system that’s available for low- and high-risk areas.

For low-risk areas, contractors can bring their concrete to a saturated surface-dry (SSD) condition and then coat it with the Krystol Waterstop Treatment. The Krystol technology in that treatment will react to water and unhydrated cement particles to form crystals that stop water from passing through. Then, the contractor can install the Krytonite to the concrete, further sealing the joint from water.

That acts as double protection for a structure that isn’t expecting to see a heavy amount of water ingress.

For higher risk areas, this system offers triple protection. That requires the same SSD condition and the same Krystol Waterstop Treatment and Krytonite application. But after that, contractors can apply Krystol Waterstop Grout to a keyway that’s formed with the help of the Crack Inducing Waterstop, adding extra Krystol technology protection.

All of that builds redundancy into the waterproofing system, giving it better protection from possible installation and material failures and from water ingress.

If I were interested in installing Krytonite and the rest of the Krystol Waterstop System, who should I go to?

We have territory managers and distributors all around the world who can help you. To find out who’s nearest to you, just send your request to Kryton on our contact us page or call Kryton’s headquarters anytime at 800-267-8280. There is always someone ready to help. And of course, if you happen to be in the eastern area of the USA, I am always happy to talk with you to see how Krytonite and the Krystol Waterstop System can best serve your concrete waterproofing needs.

Thanks again for chatting with us, Christian! We’re glad to see just how valuable Krytonite and the Krystol Waterstop System can be.

The post Interview: Why Krytonite™ Is the Unsung Hero of Construction Joint Waterproofing appeared first on Kryton.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.bellanovatravel.net/?p=41