Innovative, energy efficient California Academy of Sciences defies corrosion with ChromX®
Located in San Francisco, the 410,000 sq. ft. California Academy of Sciences is the largest Double Platinum LEED® building in the world. ChromX steel was used to provide a stable foundation and to reinforce a saltwater tank. The new addition features a museum, planetarium and an aquarium, and officially opened in 2008. ChromX® steel rebar was identified as a necessary component of the construction due to its high corrosion-resistant properties.
In environments susceptible to potentially corrosive elements, ChromX® rebar has been integral in ensuring a significantly improved service life, up to 100 years depending on the specific ChromX® product used. Various studies have independently verified that ChromX® steel products have up to two times the corrosion resistance of conventional rebar, and provide a superior alternative to other concrete reinforcement products like conventional rebar, epoxy-coated or galvanized rebar, and stainless steel.
ChromX® steel products present designers and architects with an innovative, proven solution for ensuring maximum service life despite potentially highly-corrosive environments, leading to lower service costs over the life of the structure.
By design, the Academy had to be well-integrated and constructed with the environment in mind. Ultimately attaining LEED® Platinum certification, the construction included approximately 11 million pounds of recycled steel. CMC’s steel products, including ChromX®, are manufactured using 100% recycled metal. See more about CMC’s LEED® and Sustainability initiatives.
Learn more about ChromX® products’ corrosion resistance properties and how ChromX® can benefit other building construction projects.