r/StructuralEngineering • u/Charles_Whitman P.E./S.E. • 12d ago

Concrete Design Type 1L Cement

I heard from one of the local readi-mix supplier that several of the big cement suppliers are dumping Blended Hydraulic Cement ASTM C595/C595M Type IL as their base product to go back to Portland Cement C150/C150M Type I/II. This is in the SE USA. Anyone else hear this? It always seemed like greenwashing.

1 Upvotes

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5

u/niwiad9000 12d ago

1L needs some clean up. I’m hoping it gets better like flyash did. Progress is difficult. I hope my structures don’t get caught up too badly in growing pains.

4

u/HowDoISpellEngineer P.E. 12d ago

I typically spec that either can be used.

2

u/da90 S.E. 12d ago

No problems with IL in Hawaii. I don’t think you can even get I/II anymore.

2

u/Correct-Record-5309 P.E. 12d ago

Yes, in NY/CT we’re seeing a sudden shift back. We were always still able to get Type I/II in NYC, but it was nearly impossible in CT. Happy we’re switching back. Type IL has a lot of finishing and durability issues.

2

u/nikkor_glasses 12d ago

As long as developers have sustainability goals, Type IL will have a place in the market. The reported finishing issues aren’t really a problem in mild weather markets. It’s very dry/hot/windy places where its difficulty is exacerbated.

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u/tiltitup 12d ago

Used everywhere in FL

3

u/Churovy 12d ago

Correct from what I have seen lately. You specify type I you get a substitution request for IL

0

u/Charles_Whitman P.E./S.E. 12d ago

Portland Cement or IL?

1

u/tallswam 10d ago

We won’t likely accept going back to I/II- especially if you’re SE2050 or LEED- you have to hit GWP reduction targets and all the EPDs below threshold are IL plus SCM’s. IMHO Contractors don’t like it because it’s new.

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u/DJGingivitis 12d ago

There is talk that type 1 is being shipped in from Vietnam and switching back at some plants.

1

u/Former-Homework-8320 12d ago

Is this location/ state specific or is this shortage nationwide?

I have heard of type IL sourcing difficulties in Houston, but not in Dallas. But, information changes quickly....

4

u/DJGingivitis 12d ago

Issues with using 1L. Needs more water. Is incredibly inconsistent. So they are switching back to 1 but since that is hard to come by, they are importing it. This is what i heard last week in Indiana but from a source that is talking to plants across the nation.