Concrete is versatile, but how?
You might have heard that concrete is a versatile material. And that must have made you think about the style and aesthetics of construction. However, concrete’s versatility goes beyond its outer appearance.
It can mould itself into every construction, region, and need. Confused? Let’s take a look at different types of concrete and how they are adapted to several areas of construction.
1. Ordinary Concrete
Let’s start with the plain old concrete!
Ordinary or plain concrete has a 1:2:4 mix of cement, sand, and aggregates as its main constituents. It is used in structures where tensile strength is not a big concern—-for example, pavements.
It is also not highly resilient to vibrations or wind pressure.
Usage:
- Footpaths.
- Driveways.
- Any structure or building where high tensile strength is not a priority.
2. High-Strength Concrete
High-strength concrete has a compressive strength of 4,000 psi or more. However, this type of concrete would be less effective in terms of functionality, which is a problem.
Usage:
- Bridges,
- Buildings, and
- Other structures require a high degree of strength and durability.
3. Lightweight Concrete
Using lightweight (lighter than normal weight) aggregates makes lightweight concrete. Aggregates are materials that boost the density of concrete.
These aggregates include natural elements like scoria or pumice, artificial materials like clays and expanded shale, or processed minerals like vermiculite and perlite.
Usage:
- In building blocks
- Long-spanning bridge decks.
- To protect steel constructions.
- Construction of upper floors and roofs of buildings.
4. Air-Entrained Concrete
This concrete contains small air bubbles that make it more resistant to freezing and thawing cycles. These air bubbles are added using different foaming agents during the mixing process, such as alcohols, resins, or fatty acids.
The air entrapment adds about 3% to 6% to the volume of the concrete.
Usage:
- In cold weather or regions.
5. Reinforced Concrete
The concrete that has reinforcement added to it to support the tensile strength is referred to as reinforced cement concrete (RCC). And several materials are used for reinforcement, such as rods, bars, or meshes. Now, fibres are also being used.
Ordinary concrete is strong in compression yet weak in tension. Therefore, sustaining the tensile stresses will be the responsibility of the installed reinforcement.
RCC operates through the joint action of added reinforcement and plain concrete, which increases its strength and durability.
Usage:
- Bridges,
- Buildings,
- Parking garages, and
- Other structures that require extra support.
6. Prestressed Concrete
The next type of concrete that is widely used in construction is Prestressed Concrete. This type of concrete is pre-stressed with high-strength cables, wires, bars, or tendons before it hardens. It helps reduce the amount of shrinkage (and cracking) that can occur as the concrete dries and cures over time.
The lower portion of the unit becomes more resistant to tensile forces as a result of this process. But it needs big machinery and trained workers. Prestressed pieces are often made and put together on-site.
Usage:
- Construction of bridges
- Heavily laden structures
- Long-span roofs
7. Shotcrete Concrete
This type of concrete is sprayed onto a surface using high-pressure air hoses. It is often used for repairing cracked or damaged surfaces or building walls on slopes where traditional methods would be difficult to do.
With this, the compaction process happens simultaneously with the concrete pouring because this application demands more air pressure.
Usages:
- To repair damaged structures of wood, concrete, or steel.
- When formwork is unfeasible or expensive.
- When access to an area is difficult.
8. Pumped Concrete
The next type of concrete is pumped concrete, which is widely used in the flooring of tall buildings. The benefit of pumped concrete is that it can be easily transported to the upper floors via a pipe because it is extremely workable. Concrete will be poured into the proper area through this flexible or rigid pipe.
Usage:
- To build lower structures with super flat floors
- On roads and bridges projects
- Swimming pools
It is a dependable, cost-effective, and efficient method of applying concrete and is usually the only one that can be used in specific situations. This concrete has very fine particles. The smaller the aggregate in the mix, the more easily the concrete runs from the pipe.
9. Geopolymer Concrete
Geopolymer concrete uses industrial waste products—such as fly ash from coal power plants—to replace some or all of the Portland cement in traditional concrete mixes.
Not only does this help reduce environmental waste, but it also results in a stronger final product due to the increased surface area of the fly ash particles (compared to cement particles).
Usage:
- Pavements
- Retaining walls
- Water tanks
- Precast bridge decks
10. Self-Consolidating Concrete
It is also known as self-levelling concrete. Self-consolidating concrete flows easily into place thanks to its low viscosity. It does not need vibration or tamping to get into all the nooks and crannies. This feature makes it ideal for very tight spaces where other types would be difficult to use.
Due to its higher workability, this kind of concrete is also known as flowing concrete. Self-consolidating concrete performs best in locations with strong reinforcement.
Conclusion
These are some kinds of concrete, and there are more—limecrete, permeable concrete, vacuum concrete, etc.
As you can see, there are many different types of concrete with various uses in construction projects, large and small alike! Whether you need something strong and durable, like prestressed concrete or something easy to work with, like self-consolidating concrete, there’s sure to be a type perfect for your needs.
This makes concrete versatile!
Have a project coming up? You can get in touch with Excon, the specialist in concrete slabs in Melbourne, and get all your concerns cleared. Depending on your requirements, Excon moulds concrete.
For example, if your need is waterproofing the existing concrete slab in Melbourne or inquiring about the cost of a concrete house slab in Melbourne, Excon will be able to help you with that.
Get in touch with us at https://excongroup.com.au/concrete-slabs-melbourne/
