Summary: The blog highlights a few types of concrete that are involved in construction activities. These are important to build a structure and strengthen them to a standstill for a long.
Concrete, a material is the widely used construction that holds the structures like building and others for ages. It comprises Portland cement, water, and aggregate materials (gravel, sand, or rock). When all these materials are mixed, they form a workable paste called a concrete mix, which then gradually hardens over time. It has many variants useful to the Design of Concrete Structures. In this blog, we will be discussing its type and know its features in construction.
Different Types of Concrete
You might have observed one type of concrete only (plain), but there are plenty which you must be aware of. Read the section below for the same.
Ordinary concrete
Ordinary concrete or plain concrete is commonly used for construction activities. The main components, cement, sand, aggregate, are mixed in the typical ratio of 1:2:4. It helps to build pavements, where high tensile strength is often required. This type of concrete is not suitable for various structures as it is relatively low at holding high stresses induced by vibrations, wind loading, and others.
Prestressed Concrete
Plenty of projects are built with prestressed concretes. It is created using a unique technique that includes bars and tendons. When this concrete is mixed and places, these bars are placed at each end of the structural unit, and when concrete sets, this unit is put into the compression. With this process, the lower section of the unit gets more robust against the tensile force. You require skilled labors To carry out construction activity with this concrete. This concrete is helpful to build massive loaded structures like buildings, roofs for a long life span.
High-Density Concrete
High density concrete is useful for a specific requirement. For constructing atomic power plants or other important buildings, this concrete type is used. The heavyweight aggregates mixed in the concrete are used to help the atomic power plant resist radiation. Typically, crushed rocks, Barytes, a colorless or white material that consists of barium sulfate is employed in the aggregates.
Reinforced concrete
Reinforced concrete is a versatile composite that is a mostly used material in modern construction. Steel rods, wires, mesh, or cables are embedded in the concrete before it sets to increase its overall strength. It is often known as rebar, which resists tensile force, while concrete resists compressive forces, while concrete resists compressive forces. By developing a strong bond together, the two materials combine to resist various applied forces, effectively acting as a single structural element. If you want to know more about its design structures, read the Civil Engineering textbook solution.
Self-compacting concrete
Self compacting concrete comes under the most recent advancement in concrete technology. It flows under its weight, spread, fill formwork and encapsulate reinforcements without the need for mechanical consolidation. Due to its exception flowing properties, mostly used in constructing elaborate concrete frames.