October 10, 2005

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Durability of Architectural Concrete Shown in 40-Year Study
Panels tested after continued exposure to harsh Chicago climate
SKOKIE, Ill--The question of architectural concrete’s durability has finally been answered. Performance of Architectural Concrete Panels in the PCA Outdoor Display, published by Portland Cement Association (PCA), examines the impact to concrete decorative panels after 40 years of exposure to typical Midwest weather conditions.

In the early 1960s, PCA’s Research and Development Laboratories erected 60 concrete wall panels illustrating a wide variety of decorative surfaces. In 2001, PCA dismantled the panels to make way for development of the property. After a thorough power-wash cleaning, inspection revealed that the panels weathered extremely well with little change to color, minimal loss of aggregate particles and little or no noticeable loss of surface paste. In fact, 93 percent received an “excellent” or “good” rating.

In the 40 years since the panels were built, much has changed in concrete construction. Yet many of the methods used to create the panel surfaces are in use today because they remain the most effective. In fact, improvements have made some of the construction techniques used in the study even more viable today.

A close look of the many architectural concrete finishes that were on display at PCA laboratories from
1962 to 2001.

Sample study result
A heavy-duty water-soluble chemical retarder produced the correct degree of exposure for this Eau Clair Aggregate panel. Image 1 showes the original panel as cast, image 2, the 40-year-old panel before cleaning and image 3, the 40-year-old panel after cleaning. The study rated this panel "excellent" with no change after 40 years except that the mortar was somewhat darker due to airborne dirt.

      

Image 1                                    Image 2                                    Image 3
 
About PCA
Based in Skokie, Ill., the Portland Cement Association represents cement companies in the United States and Canada. It conducts market development, engineering, research, education, and public affairs programs.

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