Byrne Bros

Challenge

Reducing embodied carbon was a key project requirement, but programme-critical concrete elements presented a challenge.

Higher levels of GGBS could significantly reduce embodied carbon, but slower early-age strength development – particularly during winter – created uncertainty around post-tensioning and other programme-critical activities.

Traditional cube testing also meant the team often had to wait for laboratory results before making decisions. This encouraged a conservative approach to cement replacement to avoid putting the programme at risk.

Byrne Bros wanted to move beyond this trade-off: reduce embodied carbon without compromising programme certainty.

Solution: CEVO Digital x ConcreteDNA

Byrne Bros implemented CEVO Digital to combine in-situ concrete monitoring, predictive mix modelling and concrete data management.

CURE provided continuous visibility into in-situ strength and temperature, allowing the team to make decisions based on actual concrete performance rather than relying solely on cube results.

Mix AI modelled the performance of lower-carbon mixes, helping the team understand how higher levels of cement replacement would affect early-age strength and programme.

Data Hub brought concrete quality, delivery and carbon records together, reducing the manual spreadsheets and records traditionally required for QA/QC and handover.

Implementation took less than six hours in a single session, allowing the project team to start using the system quickly.

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Results

• 58 tonnes CO₂e saved
  Mix AI helped Byrne Bros increase the use of lower-carbon concrete across programme-critical elements, contributing to 58 tonnes of captured CO₂e savings.

• 18% carbon reduction
  The team achieved an 18% reduction in embodied carbon without compromising programme.
  

• Lower-carbon mixes used two months earlier
  Mix simulations gave the team greater confidence to introduce mixes with higher cement replacement two months earlier than originally planned.

• 3–6 hours saved per post-tensioned slab
  Continuous in-situ strength data reduced decision-making time by an average of 3–6 hours per post-tensioned slab, reducing reliance on external laboratory results.
  
  
• Greater confidence in planning
  Mix AI allowed the team to model and visualise concrete performance against upcoming programme requirements. This supported four-week lookahead planning, helping Byrne Bros manage programme and embodied-carbon targets together rather than treating them as competing priorities.
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• Simpler QA/QC and project records
  Data Hub reduced the reliance on hard-copy records and spreadsheets traditionally used to manage concrete QA/QC. Concrete performance, delivery and carbon information could be tracked through a single project record, improving traceability while reducing duplicated administration for the engineering team.

Together, CEVO Digital and ConcreteDNA gave Byrne Bros a more active way to manage concrete performance, programme and embodied carbon.

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