Webcor Concrete completed a second pour at the UC Berkeley Switch Station #8 using the experimental Fortera concrete.
Fortera is one of the companies working to replace carbon-intensive Portland Cement in concrete. The mix design for the latest pour included 44 percent Portland Cement, 12 percent ReAct—the replacement material—and 44 percent slag. The concrete was used for two building entrances, a staircase, and an outdoor recycling receptacle area.
Concrete Director Eric Peterson was pleased with the result of the May 9 pour. "The fresh-state properties of the concrete demonstrated impressive workability, were easy to both place and finish, and performed well," he said. "It looks excellent in its hardened, finished state, too, with a very light albedo (reflected by the surface)."
Webcor worked with Central Concrete/@Vulcan Materials Company on the pour at the power plant. Built in 1904, the structure has seen multiple uses; it is now destined to become a substation helping UC Berkeley generate green electricity by 2030.
