Concrete is an essential construction material that supports loads and transfers force to create stable structures.

In October 2018, a Central Testing Laboratory for Egypt's CBD project in New Administrative Capital was established to develop concrete suited to desert conditions. It tested and optimized multiple mix designs, completing 320 mix designs and trial batches from November 2018 to September 2020 and delivering over 120 qualified mixes to batching plants. Based on these results, the Laboratory selected low-cost, high-quality C45, C60, and C80 concrete types for different project sections. These concrete types met on-site performance requirements.

The use of C80 high-strength concrete in the Iconic Tower was a first in Africa. To ensure success on the first attempt, the project team developed over 30 trial mixes, ultimately creating one suitable for ultra-high-rise pumping and setting a new record for high-strength concrete use in desert high-temperature regions.

Concrete pouring is a critical construction phase, involving the placement of concrete and related materials into molds to form the desired structure. To address the challenges of desert climate and ultra-high-rise building, CSCEC introduced in Egypt the reinforced concrete filled steel tube technology for the first time, achieving a maximum jacking height of 29.8 meters and significantly improving pouring efficiency for steel columns. The Iconic Tower's mass concrete base slab-pouring set a new African record—twice.