- Tilt-up panels: 44 ft tall, 9.25 in thick, 1,056 sq ft; vibra-striked and hard-troweled
- Slabs-on-grade: 725 sq ft; truss screeded, burnished, saw cut
- Sidewalks: 4'x12'x4", ~3 CY; broom finish
Site Logistics
Concrete was batched at National’s Santa Clarita plant and placed in a sequential trial using a 47-meter boom pump. The pump was fully cleaned between mix types to maintain data integrity. Each mix was used in one tilt-up wall, one slab, and (for LC3 and LC3 + Slag) one sidewalk.
| Pour # | Application | Mix |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Tilt Wall Panel | LC3 + Slag |
| 2 | Slab-on-Grade | LC3 + Slag |
| 3 | Sidewalk | LC3 + Slag |
| 4 | Tilt Wall Panel | LC3 |
| 5 | Slab-on-Grade | LC3 |
| 6 | Sidewalk | LC3 |
| 7 | Tilt Wall Panel | Type IL |
| 8 | Slab-on-Grade | Type IL |
Site Logistics
Reinforcement Layout Overview
This reinforcement layout illustrates the placement and rebar configuration used during the low-carbon concrete demonstration. The plan highlights three distinct application types—a wall preparation slab, tilt walls, and interior slabs-on-grade—each with unique spacing and bar sizes appropriate to their structural demands.
- Wall Preparation Slab: #3 bars @ 16" E.W. (each way)
- Tilt Wall Panels: #5 bars @ 16" O.C. E.W.
- Exterior Slabs-on-Grade: #3 bars @ 22" O.C. E.W.
The drawing also confirms typical dimensions used during the trial:
- Tilt Walls: 44' wide × 24' tall (each), total layout approx. 54' × 87'
- Exterior SOG Panels: 25' × 25' each
Curing & Sealing Plan
This layout identifies the specific curing compounds and sealers applied to each placement zone during and after the June 7 concrete demonstration. By segmenting the wall panels, slabs, and sidewalks, the team was able to evaluate how different products performed in combination with each concrete mix.
- Atlas Quantum Cure: Applied to tilt-up panels (400–600 sq ft/gal)
- ResCure DS + Noxcrete 1200E: Applied in tandem on selected slab and sidewalk areas
- Consolideck LS/CS: Used in high-visibility slab-on-grade panels (300–800 sq ft/gal)
- SpecChem SpecFilm: Applied as a surface evaporation reducer (250–300 sq ft/gal)
This matrix-style application enables side-by-side comparison of curing performance, aesthetic finish, and surface durability over time across various concrete types and finishing conditions.
Results: Global Warming Potential (GWP)
As part of the LC3 pilot, each mix was evaluated for its Global Warming Potential (GWP) in kilograms of CO₂ equivalent per cubic yard — a key metric in embodied carbon benchmarking. The results shown here reflect real-world reductions compared to the 2023 PSW benchmark values commonly used in the region.
Mixes containing LC3 cement, and especially the LC3 + slag blend, delivered significant reductions in GWP while maintaining performance across all placements. These reductions are not theoretical — they’re backed by third-party mix design analysis and onsite batching records.
Use the charts below to compare the measured GWP values for Tilt Walls, Slabs-on-Grade and Sitework mixes side-by-side against traditional cement approaches.
Tilt Wall Panels
This chart compares the Global Warming Potential (GWP) of three concrete mixes used in tilt-up wall panel construction (4,000 psi, 0.50 water/cement ratio). Results are benchmarked against the 2023 PSW regional average of 247 kg CO₂ eq/yd³.
- LC3 + Slag: 175 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 29% reduction from benchmark
- LC3 only: 196 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 21% reduction
- Type IL: 224 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 9% reduction
These results confirm that LC3-based systems—especially when paired with slag—can significantly reduce embodied carbon in tilt-up applications while maintaining structural performance.
Slab on Grade
This chart displays the Global Warming Potential (GWP) results for the slab-on-grade concrete mixes used during the June 7 demonstration. All mixes were designed to meet a 4,000 psi strength target at a 0.54 water/cement ratio. GWP values are compared against the 2023 PSW benchmark of 247 kg CO₂ eq/yd³.
- LC3 + Slag: 162 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 34% reduction
- LC3 only: 181 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 27% reduction
- Type IL: 207 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 16% reduction
Once again, LC3-based mixes outperformed conventional Type IL cement in terms of sustainability, with the LC3 + slag blend offering the greatest reduction in embodied carbon for this application.
Sitework
This chart presents the Global Warming Potential (GWP) values for the concrete mixes used in sitework applications during the LC3 pilot. The mixes were based on a 520-C-2500 specification, with GWP comparisons made against the 2023 PSW benchmark of 197 kg CO₂ eq/yd³.
- LC3 + Slag: 146 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 26% reduction
- LC3 only: 164 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 17% reduction
- Type IL: 186 kg CO₂ eq/yd³ — 6% reduction
Even in lower-strength sitework applications, LC3 mixes showed clear sustainability benefits, providing meaningful reductions in embodied carbon while meeting placement and performance expectations.
Test Results: Compressive Strength
Updated: 09/17/2025
Test Results: Flexural Strength
Updated: 09/17/2025
Learn More About Low-Carbon LC3 Concrete
Interested in implementing low-carbon concrete solutions on your next project?
Connect with us to learn more about the performance and sustainability benefits of LC3-based mix designs.
- Jim Little
- Director of Technical Sales
- Mobile: 818-421-6359
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