Development of modern high strength concrete
High strength concrete (HSC) research began in the 1950s and has seen fast development ever since.
Various versions of UHPCs have been developed and reported over the past decade. However, most formulations were proprietary, expensive, and time/labor intensive. Among the difficult-to-achieve protocols are pressure and heat treatment processes required for curing the UHPC. Generally speaking, UHPC requires heat curing at 80 0 C—90 0 C, and the high temperature promotes the pozzolanic effect of silica fume; the mechanical strengths are therefore higher and the microstructures are denser than ambient cured UHPC.
Substantial work has been reported in the area of materials development for producing concrete with high strength. In the 1 970s, concrete with higher compressive strength than NSC was used in the high-rise building construction, and these HSCs were made with the same technology as the NSC except carefully selected and controlled materials. In the late 1970s, when superplasticizer began to be developed and used to reduce the water/cement or water/binder ratio rather than being exclusively used to fluidize the usual concrete, it was found that concretes with a very low water/cement or water/binder ratio showed high compressive strength and at the same time they also had other improved characteristics such as higher flexural strength, lower permeability, improved abrasion resistance, and better durability. It had been revealed that a key factor influencing the concrete strength is the water/cement or water/binder ratio. Besides superplasticizers, different kinds of cement replacement materials had also been developed and added to concrete mixtures.
Other UHPC on the market today is dominated by a “pre-mix” with a focus on compressive strength. Relying on high percentages of glass fiber or PVA fibers for strength. Contempo uses a proprietary mix design developed by ourselvrs with over 100% of the materials by weight sourced well within 500 kilometers from our manufacturing facility. Contempos formulation is optimized specifically for the aesthetic and performance demands of architectural applications, with a focus on flexural strength, which is highly beneficial in a facade design.
UHPC has traditionally been designed around compressive strength. Facade panels are engineered around flexural strength. Contempo has been specifically formulated to increase flexural strength through the combination of formulation design and the two or three layers of continuous mesh. Contrmpo basic formula for facade panels have flexural design values of 7,300psi and up to 17,000
Environmental concern today, focuses on overexploitation of natural resources such as limestone, clay, etc and release of harmful gaseous substance into the global environment from the cement producers worldwide. The effect of these gases in the atmosphere has resulted in a rise of earth atmospheric temperature which it is believed to have cobtributed to global warming; creating catastrophic situations such as flooding, droughts and cyclones for the existence of life on earth.
The construction materials industry is under increasing pressure to reduce the energy used in the production of Portland cement clinker and the associated greenhouse gas emissions. Further, Portland cement is not the ideal binder as it suffers from durability problems in particularly aggressive environments. We have expiremented with several alternative binders and have been using carbon neutral/ minimal carbon emitting raw materials since our inception in 1985. Despite our best efforts over nearly 40 years, our alternative binder technologies would onky gain popularity in the face of a global cataclysmic event.
Calcium aluminate cements
Our proprietary formulations are based on Calcium aluminate cement; which are cements consisting predominantly of hydraulic calcium aluminates. Alternative names are “aluminous cement, “high-alumina cement” and “Ciment fondu” in French. The main active constituent of calcium aluminate cements is monocalcium aluminate (CaAl2O4, CaO · Al2O3). It usually contains other calcium aluminates as well as a number of less reactive phases deriving from impurities in the raw materials.
Also utilized is High-alumina cement; a rapid-hardening cement made by fusing at 1,500 to 1,600 °C (2,730 to 2,910 °F) a mixture of bauxite and limestone in a reverberatory or electric furnace or in a rotary kiln. It also can be made by sintering at about 1,250 °C (2,280 °F). Suitable bauxites contain 50 to 60 percent alumina, up to 25 percent iron oxide, not more than 5 percent silica, and 10 to 30 percent water of hydration. The limestone must contain only small amounts of silica and magnesia. The cement contains 35 to 40 percent lime, 40 to 50 percent alumina, up to 15 percent iron oxides, and preferably not more than about 6 percent silica. The principal cementing compound is calcium aluminate (CaO · Al2O3).
Contempo Is handcrafted by casting UHPC in layers with alkali-resistant (AR) glass mesh. Although the layers of mesh are the most expensive component of our facade panels, we consider them essential for handling large panel sizes (5’x12’) while maintaining a thin profile (5/8”-3/4”) and eliminating the risk of shattering and catastrophic failure.
There are two standard textures and twenty standard colours available in sizes up to 5’x10’. All panels are factory-processed: cut to size as requested by our clients. Custom colors, mitered edges, cast/integral and fabricated corners are all options within our Contour line of UHPC panels.
Our colour options are one of our defining qualities, we have developed twenty standard colours for you, with the ability to formulate custom colours as part of our 360° Custom program. The standard colours contain iron oxide pigments that are UV-stable and are integral throughout the material matrix
Concrete is a natural, mineral-based product that generally exhibits subtle colour variation between panels and our products shall be treated as such. However we do employ a series of interrelated strategies for minimizing colour variation between production lots, including:
*Darker standard colors & certain textures have greater potential for colour variance*
Edges and Corners A variety of closed and open corner options are possible within the CONTEMPO panels:
Lead Time
The lead time for projects within the our Standard offering is 12-14 weeks from the receipt of the final order, deposit, and final and approved panel layout drawings, including final cut sizes.
Pricing is based upon material yield, production schedule, and mold requirments. Changes in panel sizes and quantities, as well as interruptions in production caused by drawing or construction delays, will impact cost and delivery schedules.
Samples are contain 5" x 4" or 6″x6″ typically. Samples typically ship within 1-2 weeks of the request.
Please keep requests to a maximum of 4 samples until an order is placed. Once an order is placed we are more than happy to work with you in every way to ensure your projects success.
Concrete is tender, robust, expressive and beautiful at the same time. With Organic Contempo panels, we celebrate the aesthetic appeal of concrete in its raw form.
As concrete is very natural in its appearance, it has a very seductive appeal. As well as its inherent benefit of ease of maintenance - because there is no required maintenance atoll!
Organic is our newest line of surface treatment to Contempo panel that highlight the cementitious panel in its pure rawness, flexibility, toughness and beauty. This surface treatment has a timeless rugged appeal. Modern designs that incorporate ORGANIC concrete panels impart a raw look and wow factor on both exterior and interior walls.
If you are aiming for a very contempo-rary and rugged look, this is absolutely it. Our panels are made lightweight therefore are easily used as interior wall cladding on residential DIY projects. Organic Contempo panels are commonly used as feature walls or fireplace surroundings.
CONTEMPO UHPFRC vs GFRC
CONTEMPO surface quality & proven performance is simply unmatched. Our colours are achieved with UV stable iron oxide pigments that are integral within the matrix and mix and protected by its extreme density.
GFRC panels are typically manufactured with a traditional concrete reinforced heavily with fibers and/or mesh. Because CONTEMPO panels are manufactured with proprietary formulations which should really be described as ultra high performance fibre reinforced cementitious engineered laminate or UHPFRECL that is eight times as strong as GFRC and twice as strong as A|UHPC, our panels require fewer anchor points and can withstand much higher loads before beginning to exhibit micro-cracking. With minimal water absorption properites water our panel does not require a coating to maintain its high strength.
Most competitive GFRC panels are manufactured centrally in Europe. And UHPC manufacturers sparcly located in North America butvagain mainly in Europe. CONTEMPO is Manufactured almost dead centre of North America we have a clear advantage in transportation, shipping time, environmental impact, and as a vital part of local economies both in USA & Canada
CONTEMPO vs UHPC & A|UHPC
Other UHPC on the market today is dominated by a very limited number of companies with a focus on compressive strength. They historically rely on high percentages of glass fiber or PVA fibers for strength. We use a proprietary mix design developed in-house that is optimized specifically for the aesthetic and performance demands of architectural applications, including significantly greater flexural strength, which is highly beneficial in a facade panel.
ZERO Crystalline Silica
All UHPC & A|UHPC is formulated with crystalline silica and in some cases more than 40% by weight - silica is a known carcinogen. CONTEMPO utilizes absolutely zero silica.
CONTEMPO is manufactured in a one-piece flow line that includes three layers of alkali-resistant (AR) glass mesh which is essential for maintaining a thin profile and our extreme flexural strength. Facade panels are engineered around flexural strength. CONTEMPO facade panels have flexural strength of 7,300 psi whereas competivte panels of UHPC have flexural strengths that do not exceed 4,500 psi in the best of cases.
When comparing other cementitious facade panels such as fibre cement (a very poor quality product no matter if its high or low density) One must take into account the poor impact resistance and high water absorption of fibre cement which directly relates to higher than normal panel replacement ratio and maintenance requirements. Fibre cement is also lightweight and easy to cut but vulnerable to rot, insects, fire, and splitting. Fibre cement has a very low impact resistance resulting in panel breaks that resemble the shattering of glass.
Other Disadvantages of Fibre Cement:
• Not water proof
• Contains high moisture content when - Shrinkage will happen over time.
• Requires periodic painting/recoat
It’s good to have choices as you survey materials for use in your next exterior or interior project. Along with traditional materials, the industry is seeing an increase in the use of UHPC, especially in New construction. We firmly believe that the most aesthetically pleasing facades are ones where multiple materials come together to create a breathtaking design, ensuring architectural identity.
If you are searching for a matte finish, with little gloss and a more neutral tone, we invite you to explore our products and consider them as either part or the whole of your building’s envelope. If we can't satisfy your needs please consider the following list of suppliers of competitive materials who are of the best in the industry
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