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1. TYPES OF CONCRETE
There are different types of concrete that are manufactured nowadays that are appropriate for
different needs and applications. The formulas and ingredients in different types of concrete vary
to suit the condition and preference for specific construction designs. People who often use
concrete for their personal or commercial engagements should have an idea about the different
types of concrete in order to appropriately pick the right type to optimize the value of the
material.
The most common type used is the regular concrete that is also known as normal weight concrete
or normal strength concrete. This pertains to the concrete that is readily available in the retailer’s
market for personal and home usage. This includes usage instructions that are printed in the
packaging of the product. It utilizes sand and other materials to serve as aggregates and is often
fused in improvised vessels. Consumers should be careful to remove organic materials from the
concrete mixture in order to ensure the highest level of strength and durability. Commonly, this
type of concrete has a setting period ranging from thirty to ninety minutes depending on the
moisture in the atmosphere and fineness of the cement & aggregates. This type of concrete is not
recommended for structures intended for severe conditions such as freezing and thawing.
High strength concrete mix possesses compressive strength that is higher than six thousand
pounds per square inch. This is processed by lowering the water-cement ratio to a minimum of
0.35 or lower. The low water-cement ratio makes this type of cement less workable. In order to
combat this weakness, super plasticizers are added to this concrete mix.
High performance concrete refers to a newly developed concrete mix that has properties that are
a notch higher compared to regular concrete mixes. This includes enhanced strength, durability
and workability, simplicity of usage, compaction without segregation, long-term mechanical
properties, permeability, density, toughness and volume stability. Air-entrained agents can also
be used in order customize this concrete mix for severe environments.
Shotcrete refers to the type that utilizes compressed air in order to shoot concrete towards a
finished frame or structure. This type of concrete is preferred for works that are needed to be
applied overhead or on vertical surfaces. This is used for repairs on bridges, dams, pools and
other application that needs the concrete to be applied without forming. Shotcrete eliminates the
use of formwork for its application.
Pervious concrete refers to the type of concrete that allows water to penetrate the inside of the
concrete through the network of holes in the material. The network of holes allows water to pass
through naturally and permits the replenishment of groundwater that regular concrete cannot do.
Pervious concrete is formed by leaving some fine aggregates while binding remaining large
aggregates through Portland cement.
The advancement of technology is really evident in the different types of concrete that is
developed in the present age. Through customizing the different ingredients and formulas, they
formed concrete mixes that can cater to the different conditions and requirements of structures.
The knowledge about the different types of concrete should be wisely used by consumers in
order to take advantage of its properties for their construction engagements.