Colored Architectural Concrete by Charles M. DabneyOutstanding architectural con- crete with attractive and perma: nent colors ean be achieved in cast-inplace and precast concrete including horizontal applications Several methods are used to at- tain the aesthetic, attractive re- sults and these systems must be carefully evaluated by the design team to insure the desired appear- ance. Expert consultation and careful consideration of all factors from design concept through con- struction will result in satisfactory projects, Quality controls become more severe when color is introduced since the “as cast” surface is usu" ally the final appearance. The ma- terials specified must be deter- ‘mined by the preparation of suffi- cient samples to obtain the accept- able appearance and by using the materials most likely to be avail- able for the project. Frequently, weak specifications allow inferior materials and im- proper systems. Cost should be considered on each acceptable sample and the samples retained 30 that they are submitted to as much weathering as possible. When the project has been awarded, the contractor should be required to supply a field sample (mockup) by the specifications This test panel must be con- structed in sufficient size to ade- quately demonstrate forming, tex- ture and form liners, eolor, joint- ing, and potential patching proce- dures, Horizontal concrete must be considered in the design of arehi- teetural conerete structures to maintain overall estheties, Color- ants may be matching systems or ‘compatible contrasts, using inte- gral mix, dry shake hardeners, or Some methods and recommendations for consideration and suse of systems for achieving quality colored architec: fatral conorete are presented tn this article, Included are ertons on inte- gral miz systems, colored cements, hemi iin tye oor, car ing'and maintenance, and coatings and sealers, " Keywords: sdnistores; architectural con- crete: chemical fishes; colored concrete; Solos (rater urings nse, quality chemical stain. In addition, many attractive stamped patterns are available and these impressed de- signs generally use the dry shake or chemical stain systems. Manu- facturers of the necessary tools and color produets should be con- sulted for the best application and maintenance procedures. Integral mix system Integral colors are obtained by addition of color-conditioning ad- mixtures or specially selected pig- ments to the mix. Color admixtures are blends of mineral oxide pigments, water-re- ducing admixtures, and compati ble dispersing ingredients care- fully proportioned to striet manu- facturers’ tolerances. They are used with other elements of the manufacturers’ engineered sys- tems for achieving quality colored conerete. Improved workability, increased strength, and easily dispersed pig- mentation serve to give the de- sired quality for good color uni- formity. Laitance, color bleeding, and efflorescence are lessened by the reduced water requirements. The water-reducing components must meet the requirements of ASTM C-494, “Specification for Chemical Admixtures for Con- crete,” Mineral oxide pigments may also be added directly to the concrete. They must be carefully selected and proportioned with considera- tion to the uniformity of the ment color as well as complete dis- persion within the conerete mix. In direct product comparison, the advantage of using straight pigments rather than the pi mented admixtures is that pis ments alone are less expensive. The advantage of pigmented ad- mixtures is uniformity, ease of handling, and dispersion, all of which relieve quality control re: ‘quirements during construction, Colored cements There are some types of cement, other than regular, gray portland cement that can be used to pro- duce integrally colored concrete. Four of these type cements are as follows: White portland cement is manu- factured with minimum quantities of iron and manganese oxide to produce the major difference in color. It is used in mortar, cement paints, grout, and architectural concrete structures where the lightest and brightest colors are desired. The addition of white pig: ments will deerease the transpar- eney and give the whitest possible color. Pigmented cements are pig- ments and portland eement (gen- erally white) blended by the man- ufacturer, Special colored cements are ‘manufactured in various shades of ‘The U, 8. Army Hospital at Fort Ord, Calif, required east-in-place, integrally colored concrete. Some board formed and light sandblast textures were also used. CONCRETE INTERNATIONALMANUARY 1984 33tan and are generally quite attrac- tive. Another type of cement used for color is that which is naturally light gray; sometimes they have a slight tan shade. Combining colored admixtures with these cements has given ex- cellent results. Costs will vary Dry shake colors considerably so all systems should Primarily for horizontal applica- be Gee to select the most. tions, dry shake color hardeners "Standard gray porlnd cement mments, portand. coment, ta color may be desired. Some major The walkways and planters were col Wworkabili combine considerations are the variations Paseo tissu en Cai hase with special aggrepatce era in color between manufacturers. facil. Magen CANE Getenon ev to.ise product. They are ap- Some variation occurs with the plied to the surface of fresh- same manufacturer over a period floated concrete monolithically for of time. All precautions of form- coloring, hardening, and finish ing, mixing, placing, and finishing ing new conerete floors, walks, bs be used to assure uniformity and other horizontal surfaces. of appearanee. ae Curbs, stair risers, and other Chemical stain one mont ld ad feos cal or re mnas Chemical stain is a method of _ eign matter to prevent water pen- WOTk may be pl Leda oe coloring the matrix of concrete af- _etration and reaction within the °0l0r hardeners should not be used ter the concrete is cured. It is not concrete. Application instructions to plaster large pocienl surfaces a pigmented coating but water-so- must be followed closely to obtain _, THis product system is generally lutions of metallic salts which good results. eee react with alkaline particles to Since the penetration is limited, aerate oem as produce insoluble, abrasion-resi stained surfaces will vary in the Caos": 200 PP! Peston creates tant calor deposits inthe pores of Intensity (shades) of ealor. This 3,™08t desirable condition fr the concrete, Chemical stains con- gives an antiqued or variegated S}2™ DINE. Heavy-duty, wear an tan dite ai to etch the surface appearance. These ean be min SuPtetisance ean be obtained by slightly so that the staining ingre- mized by a uniform texture or may [Ye wee 91 G™mery OF metallic of Gients can penetrate and react he increased by deliberate varia. STesstes nthe manufacture ofthe tore uniformly a amit depth, tion of texture and application, ©" ah#ke hardeners, These stains enhance decorative These various shades are used tO the cost of pigments, mote intense projects with interesting and un- give the natural appearance of © ° ) more intense usual applications to conerete tile, stone, earth, wood, and other ma- lors may be obtained by the dry sculptures, board forming (to sim- terials. Defects or unintentional discoloration will not be covered by chemical stain. On horizontal conerete, the un: treated surface may be worn away under heavy traffic; colored seal: ers or wax should be applied as a wearing surface for maintenance. ulate wood), and 200 displays. Ex- posed aguregate panels, block, and slabs may be stained without af: fecting the aggregate colors. Chemical stain must be applied shake systems. Compatible con- trasting colors are frequently used with excellent results in patterns Curing and maintenance Curing and maintenance meth- ods are a very important part of the system to obtain satisfactory results. Uniform curing is essen- tial. Water-euring should be avoided, except where chemical stain is to be used and itis desir- able. Water-cure contributes to sur- face laitance and efflorescence and therefore is detrimental to color uniformity. Burlap and other wet coverings may also contribute to the non-uniformity. Plastie sheet- A new apartment complex in Boston, Mass. features precast sections, integral ing and paper coverings are not color, for all exter walls recommended. PTE INTERNATIONALIJANUARY 1984 u covetAt Cypress College in California, a styrofoam formliner ‘custom carved in’? im. increments for 3 layers, was used. Concrete was east-in-place, integraily colored, and sprayed ‘The Bizby Rivera at Long Beach, Ci ‘ver with one coat of chemical sain. pattern concrete if, features impressed Colored conerete should be or transparent? Should it be water cured only as recommended by the repellant? Does the sealer selected ‘manufacturer of the color method affect the appearance or color de- being used. For horizontal con- sired? crete, the most popular material is, Avoid non-breathing sealers a eolor-matched wax which com- without thorough testing and plies with applicable codes, en- weathering under all conditions hhanees the beauty of the concrete, possible. Search for proven record and provides a system for mainte: of frequent and long-term re nance, sults by concrete construction produet producers as opposed to coatings and sealer manufactur ers, a8 many of the latter are un aware of the eomplex reactions of portland cement conerete. Conclusions Care in the total construction Coatings and sealers The sealing and coating of con: crete surfaces is a broad subject which can not be detailed here Needless to say, research on such sealants and coatings should be undertaken before a decision is made. Another example of impressive inte procedure is an essential ingredi: The first decision is to deter- gral colored concrete is the city hall at ent necessary to architectural con- mine the purpose or requirement Palo Alto, Calif crete. Everyone involved must re- of the coating. Should it be opaque member that they are also an es ‘The Wilshire West comples in L os Angeles, Calif, also fea- __Dry-shake color hardener was used on the walkways of the red comerete Fontainebleau Hotel, Miami Beach, Fla tures integral CONCRETE INTERNATIONALIJANUARY 1984 36At Crafton College, Yucaipa, Calif. the walkways were chemically stained to produce a color effet. sential ingredient as a finish appli ator. ‘The specifier must work closely with the design team to select the most appropriate materials sys- tem, These specifications must be firm and avoid the assumption that suppliers and contractors are all eapable of performance. Select the best system for the desired re. On cedtic witison Sy mposium of sults and let it be known that qual- ity is absolutely required. Keep in mind that architectural conerete is permanent and, once constructed, there are generally no second chances for replace- ment. Excuses do not resolve a problem. The high energy laboratory at Califor- nia Institute of Technology features board formed concrete that unas cast-in- place and integrally colored. Note the comparison with the gray planter in the foreground. a. i s Charles M. Dabne manager for LM, Scofield Co, and Scofield International, Iue., of Los Angeles, Cali. A veteran of more than 35 yeara in the concrete construction industry, he is currently chairman of ACI Committee $08, Architectural Concrete, and has been a member ofthe Institut for mare than 25 years. He has traveled and lectured extensively am the use of color and texturing sys ters for architectural concrete, is marketing SP-64— Expansive Cement— Cedric Willson Symposium. 336 pp., 1980. $39.25; ($30.50 to ACI Members) This important volume contains 16 hi-tech papers on just about every aspect of expansive cement; inter national developments, field service reports on existing installations, research, and future products. Here's a data-filled reference book you'll turn to in planning many. projects. Liberal use of illustrations, photos, charts and graphs by the authors makes it particularly helpful, Se ‘American Concrete Institute, Box 19150 Detroit, Michigan 48219 CONCRETE INTERNATIONALJANUARY 1984