Structural Concrete Is The Mainstay Of Construction

Structural Concrete Is The Mainstay Of Construction

by

Shristy

Throughout its lifetime, structural concrete absorbs CO2, making it a unique material that reduces its own carbon footprint. It thus achieves environmental sustainability. There is little need for reconstruction of concrete structures, known for their durability. Ingredients in concrete are readily available: water, and aggregate – composed of sand and gravel or crushed stone.

Concrete buildings are fire-resistant. Concrete does not burn, and thus provides a fire wall that protects and stops a fire from spreading. The water used to douse the flames and fire apart from they themselves do not affect the concrete. Acting as a very effective fire shield in buildings, a fire does not evoke smoke or toxic gases from it. Fire safety is a main consideration in the use of concrete in building structures around the world.

A combination of water and aggregates in various ratios, a wide variety of concrete exists. The Hydration process binds the water and cement material together. A paste mix which has less of water, produces a much stronger concrete. Concrete mixture becomes more slump and free-flowing, when water is added. Water quality in the mix is important since issues can be caused by impurities in the water when concrete starts to set. Individual aggregate particles bond and glue themselves together while the concrete sets thus forming a solid mass. As time passes, structural concrete keeps getting stronger. Concrete structures can thus be expected to give long lasting service.

Concrete is an energy-efficient material. Very less temperature fluctuations are seen in buildings constructed using concrete as the walls made with it don\’t leak air. The costs for heating or cooling the building thus get minimized.

Structural concrete should be properly cured in order to reach its ideal strength. The concrete initially sets and hardens, so it is rigid but not at full strength immediately. Over a period of time, typically at approximately three weeks, the concrete has cured to 90% of final strength. Proper and best curing takes place in the initial first three days and can be aided by keeping the concrete damp during this curing process. How well the temperature and humidity is maintained during the this period helps determine the final strength and durability of concrete. The wind evaporation of moisture, which can be a serious threat to the result, can be offset by spraying or ponding the structural concrete surface while it cures. Reduced strength, scaling and cracking can result if the surface dries up prematurely.

Aggregates are what majorly makes the mixture and concrete is a true composite material in that sense. As sand, crushed stone or gravel and being fine or coarse, these aggregates can be anything actually. Today, many recycled materials are part of the aggregate mixture. Appropriate consistency can be used to crush and added to the aggregated blend and that\’s the way construction and excavation material are used. Recyclable concrete is actually made, at least partially, from other recycled materials. A true green success story is what structural concrete is.

The most widely used construction material in the world is concrete. It\’s a major component in building because of its performance qualities: durability, strength, fire resistance. With reinforced steel placed specifically to accommodate structural stress, additional strength and structure stability is ensured in structural concrete.

The amazing strength and versatility of structural concrete can also be beautified by adding the cast and moulded structures with different textures and coloured tints.

Gather more details on concrete and structural concrete, visit http://www.buildingregister.com/concrete_p0.html for more information.

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