Massive Concrete Pour Saves Million Pounds of CO2

The massive mat foundation pour for Houston's Capitol Tower development was recently completed. The two-day pour operation encompassed a mat foundation footprint of over 35,000 square feet and utilized 9,200 cubic yards of concrete and 2.4 million pounds of rebar. Houston's local public radio station featured the concrete foundation placement on its "Houston Matters" program. A podcast of the segment "Building Sturdy Structures on Houston's Swampy Foundation," as well as a time-lapse video of the operation is on the show's Web site.

The building is just one of three in the U.S. to receive LEED Platinum v4 precertification and advances sustainable practices. Fly ash, a safe, recycled material, replaced 60 percent of the cement used in the foundation. The method saves more than 1 million pounds of CO2, the equivalent emissions associated with driving a car 1.2 million miles. Among the many features, the 35-story structure's exterior design includes a high-performance curtain wall system to achieve maximum energy efficiency and panoramic views with 10 foot floor-to-ceiling glass. The lobby will integrate the street and tunnel levels, creating light-filled pedestrian crossroads with retail and gathering places.

Source: Portland Cement Association