The right formula in the right place
Concrete is the basic component of many infrastructure and building projects. However, its production requires a high level of expertise, especially as the requirements are increasingly high:
- Visual appeal
- Durability
- Resistance (less cracking)
- Ease of implementation
The large structures entrusted to us by our clients are sometimes located in areas subject to extreme climatic conditions (extreme cold, desert, ocean, etc.); we have a good understanding of how the material behaves in these aggressive environments.
Spotlight on the new Assiut Barrage
For example, for the construction of the new Assiut Barrage in Egypt; the local aggregates were alkali-reactive. The cost of finding ‘compatible’ aggregates 200 kilometres from the project site was a major constraint that we were able to overcome. We formulated a concrete with local aggregates and selected a suitable binder (Portland cement, ground slag, limestone filler), keeping the budget within the client’s envelope and significantly reducing the carbon footprint of the project.
As a world-renowned concrete specifier/formulator, we analyse specifications and design predictive formulas for accurate costing and calibration of production equipment. Each part of the construction has its own formula. No fewer than 40 different concrete formulas were required wiith the creation of the Rion-Antirion bridge.
THERMAL BEHAVIOUR OF MODELLED CONCRETE
One of the current issues related to the use of concrete is its thermal behaviour during hardening. Thanks to 4 theses that we have produced over the last 10 years in partnership with the Materials and Durability of Construction Laboratory of Toulouse and our involvement with international scholarly associations, we have developed tools for modelling the behaviour of concrete in its early stages of development, which were awarded the VINCI Innovation Award in 2015.
Our expertise in thermo-mechanical phenomena also allows us to model and justify the means used to prevent or limit the cracking of concrete at a young age.
A REDUCED ENVIRONMENTAL FOOTPRINT
We also support our clients in their efforts to reduce the environmental impact of their projects, including their carbon footprint.
To this end, in 2008 we developed – and continue to develop – a software program called CO2Crete ImpactTM, which allows us to quantify the CO2 emissions of concrete throughout its manufacturing, transport and placement process.
Low-carbon concretes also offer an excellent alternative at a time when VINCI and VINCI Construction Grands Projets are designing a decarbonised and eco-responsible construction industry. We use our sense of innovation to improve our energy efficiency, and the efficiency of our structures. VINCI Construction’s Exegy brand aims to promote the use of low-carbon concretes to achieve the objectives of reducing our scope 3 emissions by 30% and using 90% low-carbon concretes by 2030 while maintaining or improving their efficiency.
For example, thanks to the concerted action of the Tunnel Factory and the Exegy brand, we have – for the first time in France – laid ultra-low-carbon lining segments on our site for line 18-1 of the Grand Paris Express, the largest urban mobility project in Europe.
Discover our innovations and commitments with Exegy
A NETWORK OF EXPERTS WITH INTERNATIONAL RESOURCES
VINCI Construction Grands Projets spreads its partnership culture throughout the world. We are part of a network of international experts that we assemble in the geographical areas where we operate. Synergies within the VINCI group are also leveraged. In France, we have been working closely for many years with the VINCI Construction France concrete laboratory in Marolles. In addition, the Exegy initiative has further federated our close collaboration with the other concrete divisions of Eurovia (with the technical centre in Mérignac) and Soletanche Freyssinet (and its technical centre in Montgeron). Our feedback from all of our international projects, whether in progress or delivered, is also put to good use and promotes the ongoing consolidation of our expertise.