Concrete is a versatile material that has been used in construction for centuries. It is made up of a mixture of cement, water, and aggregates such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone. Depending on the type of concrete used, it can be used for a variety of applications, from structural foundations to decorative surfaces. In this article, we will explore the five main types of concrete and their uses. Reinforced Concrete is a type of concrete that is reinforced with bars, fibers, or other materials to improve its tensile strength.
This type of concrete is commonly used in structural applications such as bridges and buildings. It is also used in pavements and sidewalks. Lightweight Concrete is made with pumice instead of the usual stone or rock aggregate. This type of concrete is less structural and is mainly used as protection for metal building materials or as unloaded concrete walls. It is also used as insulation for water pipes inside the facility and provides fire protection. Precast Concrete refers to how concrete pieces are produced.
In many cases, concrete is poured into molds on the job site and allowed to strengthen for days or weeks. Precast concrete is manufactured in a controlled environment, which means that products can be manufactured well in advance, tested for strength, and delivered on the day they are needed. Air-Entrained Concrete contains microscopic air bubbles ranging in size from a few thousandths of an inch in diameter to a few hundredths. This technique is used to achieve concrete strength early and can reach compressive strength within the 10-day period compared to the 28-day period of ordinary concrete. Permeable Concrete is prepared in such a way that water can pass into it. It has between 15 and 20% holes so that water can pass through it.
This type of concrete is mainly used in areas prone to flooding or where drainage is an issue. Fiber-Reinforced Concrete uses steel fibers of 10 to 20 microns in diameter and 10 to 50 mm in length. This type of concrete can be used in places where increased resistance to cracking is required. Up to 30 percent replacement of fine aggregates and 20 percent replacement of cement have been reported. These are the five main types of concrete and their uses. Depending on your project requirements, you may need one type or a combination of types.
If you have an upcoming project that needs buried infrastructure, contact Columbia Precast Products and let's see what we can do.
