Concrete is the most commonly used, man-made material on earth. It is used extensively in buildings, bridges, and roads. Concrete is a mixture of sand (fine aggregate), cement, gravel or crushed stone, and water. But did you know there are 7 Types of Cement Concretes used in construction?
Of course, Sensible Concrete is well versed in all types of concrete, especially those used in residential homes in the Gatlinburg, Pigeon Forge, Sevierville and surrounding areas, as well as which kind is best for the project being built. Here are 7 of the most common we would like to acquaint you with, and the specific uses for each one.
Plain, Ordinary Concrete
This is, of course, the most commonly used concrete you will find in pavements and buildings that do not require a high tensile strength. As it is not reinforced, it is not suitable for structures that undergo high stress from wind or vibrations. It is made up of cement, sand, and aggregate, mixed with water;at a 1:2:4 ratio.
Asphalt Concrete
Asphalt concrete is typically used for roads, parking lots, airports, and such. It is manufactured by mixing asphalt and aggregates instead of the usual cement and aggregates. .
High Density Concrete
As its name suggests, high density concrete has a greater density than normal because the mixture consists of crushed rocks for a coarser aggregate mixture. It is characterized by having high strength, low shrinkage, and high fire resistance. This type is commonly used for buildings that are required to be extra secure like nuclear power plants.
Reinforced Concrete
This is one of the most widely used and versatile composites in modern construction, commonly called rebar. To increase overall strength, steel rods, wire, or mesh is embedded in the concrete before it sets (or laid before the concrete is poured). The two materials form a very strong bond when used together and resist a variety of forces.
Precast Concrete
This form of concrete is prepared, cast and cured off-site using reusable molds. Precast concrete is usually joined to other elements to complete a structure such as wall panels, beams, floors, columns, etc.
Stamped Concrete
Driveways, interior floors, patios, any place that might require a unique and aesthetic appearance are frequently enhanced with the use of stamped concrete. This type of architectural concrete allows for realistic patterns like natural stones, granites, and tiles using professional stamping pads.
Polymer Concrete
In normal concrete, the water to cement ratio naturally produces micro pores that cannot be avoided. Polymerization is a technique that has been recently developed to reduce porosity of concrete, and to improve its strength. There are several types of polymer concrete, the most common being the epoxy for its superior properties of high impact strength and high vibration resistance. This type of concrete is used in repairs and to improve durability in buildings. .
