U.S. Air Force Ramstein Air Base - Trial Placement

The collaboration between Concretum and the USAF began more than a year ago, in April 2023, with a first test phase at the US Army Engineering Research and Development Center (ERDC) in Vicksburg (MS). Thanks to the excellent results of the laboratory tests, the second phase, which included field tests, took place in June 2024. The large-scale tests were carried out at the USAF Air Base in Ramstein, Germany. Concretum supplied the material in both 25 kg bags and 3000 lb bags. Two mixtures were specially prepared, one with a maximum aggregate size of 8 mm (Q-REP G) and one with a maximum aggregate size of 16 mm (Q-CON).

The 435th Construction Training Squadron of the Air Force tested the two products on both small and large scales. To carry out the 2.5 m3 repair tests, the concrete was produced by volumetric truck. The consistency of the concrete was deliberately kept very fluid to enable easy and quick placing and to avoid the use of vibrating needles. Both mixes delivered excellent results in terms of compressive strength and durability. Although the w/c ratio was high and temperatures exceeded 25 °C, no cracking occurred.

Both Concretum concrete mixes (Q-CON and Q-REP G) successfully passed this test phase and can now be purchased by all USAF Air Bases for concrete maintenance projects.

We'd like to thank the ERDC engineering team and the 435th Construction Training Squadron. Looking forward to carrying out more successful projects on USAF Bases.