The concrete mixture is a key part of construction using SCIP Panels. The concrete mixture directly impacts these key factors:

• Strength

• Water Resistance

• Resistance to cracking

• Workability

• Concrete thickness that can be applied in one pass

• Ease of pumping through equipment

Building in Sonoma County, we have the code requirement that concrete on the walls must be 3,500 PSI compressive strength, and the roof must be 4,500 PSI. Luckily, there are amazing ways to improve concrete that have been developed in recent decades, with new improvements released all the time.

An admixture is anything added to concrete beyond the basic ingredients of cement, sand, aggregate, and water. Current admixtures are available that provide much higher strength, with only a small increase in construction costs. Why not increase the strength to over 6,000 PSI, and have walls completely waterproof if this can be done for about 1% of the overall construction costs?

I have to admit, at first I didn’t appreciate how much of a game changer waterproof concrete is. The admixture changes normal concrete to something so waterproof that it can be used for water holding tanks with no additional finishing. Waterproof concrete is a huge deal, because it simplifies the construction process and protects a house from it’s biggest enemy - water.

Here is the concrete formulation that I’m currently using:

• 1 bag 94 pound Portland cement ( 1 cubic foot)

• 3 cubic feet washed clean concrete (plaster) sand

• 3 ounces Kel-Crete premium liquid admixture

• 2 pounds Xypex Admix C-1000

• 1 pound 1/4" Premium Polypropylene Fiber

• 3 1/2 to 4 gallons water

First, combine all the dry ingredients. Next, mix 2 1/2 gallons water and the Kel-Crete liquid admixture. Mix everything together and slowly add the extra water. This batch is enough to cover 64 SF of one side of a panel, 3/4 inch thick