The Concrete 9 White Papers

Reaching For Cloud 9 in Architectural Concrete Design

Cloud 9 is, in fact, a reference by the International Cloud Atlas, first published in 1896. Its initial purpose included aiding the training of meteorologists and promoting more consistent use of a vocabulary describing clouds—cloud 9 being one of the highest. Many are familiar with the term as an expression of bliss, and maybe that is how design professionals and craftsmen feel when a concrete design comes full circle. The article that started The Concrete 9 series, published in 2011 in The Construction Specifier magazine, was the foundation for developing products that are now common in the marketplace.

MEET THE FOUNDERS

Jason Barnes

President, Co-Founder

Mr. Jason Barnes is a product developer and consultant within the concrete flooring industry. He is the author of the GP9, Nine Elements of Green Polishing, which has become a practice adopted by the industry, published in the CSI specifier in 2011. He has developed from that article the Concrete9 series, isolating key elements in designing and implementing concrete floors. An advocate of a system approach to concrete polishing, Jason is well-versed in identifiers, colorants, and shrinkage-compensating concrete. Mr. Barnes is a trained public speaker and a continuing education provider for design professionals. His expertise has brought over 40 products to market, most primarily focused on a “green” (sustainable, economical & versatile) approach to the concrete industry. He has enjoyed success in discerning the underlying problems and presenting solutions encountered by design professionals & owners on projects nationwide wherein they have experienced “floor failure”. Mr. Barnes serves as a voting member on several committees with the American Concrete Institute.

Mark Hurshman

Vice President, Co-Founder

Mr. Hurshman has an extensive background in the polishing concrete industry. His projects have spanned from residential to commercial and educational. His projects have been featured on the Discovery Channel and USA Today. He was the project manager on the first Pre-K through 12, Platinum-LEED Certified school in the United States (2007), Greensburg, KS. Mr. Hurshman understands the contractor’s side of our specifications and focuses on implementing GPnine principles in the workplace. Years of experience, consulting for contractors, architects, and owners. Mark’s strength lies in his expertise in understanding the problems faced by profiling contractors on projects today. He has millions of square feet of on-site experience unlike most manufacturing representatives.  Marks consulting can be invaluable for the contractor or owner when called upon to fix what might be considered a failed project. He is eager to help you on your next project.

GHP9

Nine Fundamentals for Profiled, Honed, and Polished Architectural Concrete

  • The Concrete Surface
  • Testing Methods
  • Wet Versus Dry
  • Equipment
  • Liquid Cutting Agent
  • Cutting Abrasives
  • Honing Abrasives
  • Polishing Abrasives
  • Managing Specifications

GP9

NINE FUNDAMENTALS TO GREEN POLISHING FROM DESIGN TO COMPLETION

  • Managing Expectations
  • Green Specifications
  • The Engineered Canvas
  • IAQ Equipment
  • Wet Profile and Hone Process
  • Green Treatments
  • Sustainable Color System
  • Sustainable Polish
  • Repair and Maintenance

    ITC9

    Nine Fundamentals for Placing and Curing an Integrally Troweled Concrete Floor

    • Defining the Vision and Mechanism
    • Mechanical Densified Method: The Placement
    • Mechanical Densified Method: The Finish
    • Troweled Cure
    • Surface Fixative
    • Unconventional Architectural Finish
    • Integral Color Options
    • Maintenance/Surface Treatment
    • Specifications

    CCANVAS9

    NINE FUNDAMENTALS FOR CANVAS CONTROL OF ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE FLOORS

    • Unconventional Architectural Floors
    • The Value of Higher Quality Floor Design
    • Integrally Troweled Cure and Placement Process
    • Canvas Components (Fiber, Expansive, Integral Colorant)
    • Wet Abrasive Process
    • Guides for Best Practices
    • Surface Treatments
    • Managing Expectations and Specifications
    • Canvas Cycle Management

    EC9

    Nine Fundamentals For Mechanically Profiled ITCP Floors
    Canvas Control and Abrasive Polish System

    • Dry Shrinkage Is Controllable
    • Choice of Components
    • Producer Partnership
    • Mix Design
    • Restraint
    • Formwork
    • Placing
    • Finishing
    • Curing

    ITCP9

    Nine Fundamentals For Mechanically Profiled ITCP Floors
    Canvas Control and Abrasive Polish System

    • Unconventional Architectural Floors
    • Defining the Mechanism of Integrally Troweled Concrete: The Placement and Finish Troweled Cure
    • Surface Fixative
    • Surface Treatment
    • Wet Abrasive Process Equipment
    • Wet Abrasive Process
    • Managing Expectations and Specifications
    • Canvas Life Schedule

    IC9

    NINE FUNDAMENTALS FOR INTEGRAL CONCRETE COLORANTS

    • The Integrally Colored Canvas
    • The Benefits Over Surface Colorant
    • The Environmental Impact of Colorants
    • The Colored Mix Design
    • The Producer Partnership
    • The Integrally Colored Canvas
    • The Benefits Over Surface Colorant
    • The Environmental Impact of Colorants
    • The Colored Mix Design
    • The Producer Partnership

    FIBER9

    Nine Fundamentals For FIBER REINFORCEMENT IN THE MIX

    • The Conventional Reinforcement
    • The Level of  Reinforcement
    • The Types of Fiber Reinforcement
    • The Fiber Dosage
    • The Mix Design 
    • Transparency in the Mix  
    • Producer Partnership
    • Managing Expectations 
    • Managing Specifications 

    WHITECONCRETE9

    NINE FUNDAMENTALS FOR WHITE CONCRETE FLOORS

    • The Reflective Concrete Canvas
    • Cut Downtime
    • Cut Environmental Impact
    • Mix Design
    • Producer Relationship
    • Reflectivity and Lower Utility Costs
    • Unique Surface Colorants With White Concrete
    • High-Performance Canvas
    • Canvas Cycle Management

    SC9

    NINE FUNDAMENTALS FOR SURFACE CONCRETE COLORANT

    • The Types of Concrete Colorants
    • Concrete Pigments
    • Concrete Dyes
    • Managing Expectations
    • Sustainable Concerns
    • Carry Agents
    • Application Requirements
    • Trouble Shooting
    • Surface Colorant Cycle Management