Chromocrete
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
Chromocrete Abstract This study will investigate the potential for a comercially available thermochromic concrete paneling system that responds to dynamic temperature changes with color change. Using thermochromic pigments, we will evaluate through a series of experiments if concrete can attain thermochromic properties by a physical mixing process. Concrete that is designed for non-structural applications do not require admixtures for additional strength. Therefore, thermochromic pigments can be used as a replacement for the admixtures in a calculated proportion to adhere with cement and water for this application. By offering an intuitive, perceptive indicator of temperature through a commonly used building material, we will explore the potential for building envelopes of the future that connect the general public to a visually iconic installation using Chromocrete.
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
70° F / 80° F
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
90° F / 100° F
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
Concrete Composition • Historically, Roman concrete was composed of quicklime, pozzolana and an aggregate of pumice. Concrete allowed for revolutionary new designs due to new structural complexity and form. • Modern concrete is composed of Portland cement, coarse aggregate, water, and sometimes admixtures.
• Concrete is a commonly used building material in today’s world. The strongest way to use concrete is in compression, but structual beams and columns have been used in tension and bracing. • When concrete is laid using formwork at a construction site, typically plywood is used for finishing surfaces. However, high density overlay (HDO) or medium density overlay (MDO) are used for higher quality, smooth architectural finishes. ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
Concrete Calculations These calculations are taking the assumption of being a manufacturer of concrete mixes. This means that we would be collaborating with Austin Concrete as a manufacturer to produce concrete of a certain strength and quality. Simple calculations are shown here that do not highlight the emphasis on aggregate selection and admixture effects. Calculations based on CE 314K Engineering Materials:
Total Weight = Weight of Water + Weight of Coarse Aggregate + Weight of Cement Total Volume = Volume of Water + Volume of Coarse Aggregate + Volume of Cement + Volume of Air (based on aggregate size)
For the sake of this class, we do not need to calculate aggregate as it comes pre-mixed with Quikcrete, our material.
wc = Water to Cement Ratio = Weight of Water / Weight of Cement Total Weight = Volume of Water*(Density of Water + Density of Cement/wc)
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
Thermochromism • Chromism (root definition) is a process that induces a change that is usually reversible in the colors of compounds. • Most changes in colors are based on electron states of molecules changing in energy levels by excitment called external stimuli. • Thermochromism is the property of a material or substance to change color due to changes in temperature. • Thermochromic properties can be applied to pigments, inks, plastics, crystals, dyes that are implemented in products in different applications.
• This figure is a graph showing thermochromic behavior that is reversible. For most commonly purchased thermochromic pigments, t2=t3 can be defined as the set point (where change occurs). Color density is relative to electron density of a material. ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
Chromocrete Production Project Description Chromocrete alters its color in response to temperature changes. This study will analyze the viability of mixing thermochromic pigment with cement mixtures. Once the study is complete, we will imagine Chromocrete as an external envelope, applied to various buildings (skyscrapers) and structures (towers). Our experiments thus far have involved two separate pigments mixed with two different methods. The first experiment with yellow ink was a process that mixed the pigment with water first and then into the cement mix. In the second experiment we mixed the pigment with the cement mix and then added water. This ended up working alot better for the material. With the pigments we received, there were no instructions from the manufacturer. What we found was the density of the pigments was very low so the volume ratios of pigment to concrete mix can be quite high with very little weight of pigment. Also, the pigments are not water soluble meaning they do not mix with water very well, infact they repel water. Therefore, the second experiment with blue pigment was so successful because of the integration of powders before water was added. A much more even mix was created and the consistency was quite accurate to calculation specifications. ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
100º 90º 80º 70º 60º
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
Color Chart / 60° F
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
70° F / 80° F
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
90° F / 100° F
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
70° F / 80° F
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
90° F / 100° F
José Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero
Chromocrete
ARC 335M Construction 5 Spring 2014 Gary Wang
JosĂŠ Gallegos Darren Cattle Leonardo Caballero