Construction projects often call for various forms of concrete. Each mix has unique properties that differentiate it from others in terms of characteristics that set it apart.
Dense concrete is often employed for radiation shielding in nuclear power plants, blocking X-rays, gamma rays and neutrons that pass through.
1. Plain Concrete
Compressively strong and tensionally weak, concrete is best used in floors and foundations but unsuited for bridges or culverts.
Shear-resistant concrete employs steel meshes to reinforce structures and reduce shear failure. Additionally, fibers may be added for secondary reinforcement or temperature shrinkage control – often used in nuclear power plants as an added safety measure.
Plain concrete slabs Melbourne is a durable building material composed of cement, sand, coarse and fine aggregate (aggregates) a mix of water, additives and additives mixed at a concrete plant before being transported and placed at its destination site.
2. Concrete Mix Design
Concrete used in construction can be divided into various types based on its composition, stress conditions and overall density, enabling builders to select the suitable type for every job site.
Plain concrete (commonly referred to as ordinary concrete) is an economical choice for projects that do not require extremely high tensile strength. It typically uses a 1:2:4 mix design of cement, sand and aggregates – however it doesn’t perform well against wind loading or vibrations.
Self-consolidating concrete has three key attributes that distinguish it from its competitors: it has high filling ability when being poured; passing ability that easily passes through tight spaces such as steel reinforcement; and segregation resistance – meaning it won’t separate during transport, placement and curing processes.
3. Concrete with Fibers
Concrete with fibers is a type of concrete that employs various kinds of fibers to strengthen its structure. Fibers may include glass, synthetic, or natural sources and when added to concrete can help increase resistance against plastic shrinkage, drying shrinkage, as well as water vapor infiltration.
Concrete produced in controlled environments such as factories or plants and then sent directly to construction sites is ideal for increased oversight, quality control, and faster project completion times.
Pre-stressed concrete is more durable than its concrete counterpart and can withstand more bending and torque, making it suitable for use in buildings and bridges.
4. Concrete with Pigments
Concrete has long been used as the material of choice in numerous structures and buildings due to its impressive fireproof qualities and ability to resist water pressure.
Concrete consists of sand and gravel combined with binding materials such as cement or lime to form an aggregate material that, when mixed with water, forms an adhesive paste to hold everything together.
Addition of pigment to concrete gives it a fade-resistant color. This can be accomplished either by mixing iron oxide colored pigments into the mix or applying them topically after pouring. Fluid concrete offers three key benefits; it flows and compacts under its own weight, ideal for tight spaces and resists segregation.
5. Pumped Concrete
Concrete pumping services are invaluable tools for projects requiring concrete to be placed in places not accessible to a concrete truck, such as high places. Concrete is delivered using flexible hoses attached to a mixer’s boom for pumping purposes.
Concrete pumps come in both stationary and truck-mounted forms, the former typically comprising of a pump mounted on a trailer that’s pulled by another truck to the construction site. Such trucks need an individual placing boom to accurately direct concrete where needed.
Lightweight concrete has a low density and uses aggregates like scoria, pumice, perlite and expanded clays as its aggregates. It’s perfect for use when building floors or slabs as its self-compacting properties allow it to fill spaces without bleeding or segregation occurring during application.
6. Concrete with Fines
Concrete is one of the world’s most ubiquitous building materials, used for everything from driveways and patios to sidewalks and roads. There are many different varieties of concrete available with each offering specific uses and advantages.
All-purpose concrete (also referred to as plain concrete) is a mixture of cement, aggregates and water in a ratio of 1:2:4. This form of concrete is suitable for pavements and home construction projects which don’t necessitate high tensile strength.
Air-entrained concrete is a type of concrete containing small air bubbles in its mixture, helping it withstand freeze-thaw cycles more efficiently, making it durable and simple to work with.
