Architectural Concrete

The good news about creating formidable, memorable, or simply interesting buildings is that architectural designers can choose from an almost limitless array of patterns, finishes, textures, color oxides, aggregate colors, and cements to fulfill their vision and their purpose. Once the desired combination is achieved, however, responsibility for obtaining the correct architectural product is shared by the contractor and the contracting officer, who must follow stringent guidelines. This interactive online course provides guidance for the design and construction of architectural concrete, including planning and design, forms, materials and proportions, batching and transporting, placement, curing and form removal, exposed aggregate surfaces, finishing, and quality assurance.

At the conclusion of this course, you will be able to: 

• Define architectural concrete and interpret its structural and architectural guidelines
• Explain the significance of design reference samples and mockups
• Select forms based on the concrete texture desired and the number of anticipated reuses, and understand curing and form removal
• Arrange the materials and calculate the proper proportions for concrete
• Explain the processes for batching, transporting, and placing concrete
• Describe exposed aggregate architectural surfaces
• Discuss repairs and final finishing procedure and understand good quality assurance practices
• Relate the procedures involved in creating mass concrete and roller compacted concrete