CONCRETE

What is concrete?

Concrete is a composite material composed of fine and coarse aggregate bonded together with a fluid
cement (cement paste) that hardens (cures) over time. Concrete is the second-most-used substance
in the world after water, and is the most widely used building material. Its usage worldwide, ton for
ton, is twice that of steel, wood, plastics, and aluminum combined.

Concrete is an engineering material that simulates the properties of rock and is a combination of
particles closely bound together.

It is simply a blend of aggregates, normally natural sand and gravel or crushed rock. These are bound
together by a hydraulic binder e.g. Portland Cement and activated by water to form a dense semi
homogenous mass.

Because of its general characteristics concrete is sometimes referred to as artificial rock. Concrete is
very strong in resisting compression. In use where tensile stresses have to be accommodated
reinforcement is incorporated into the concrete to absorb tension. Concrete is the most widely used
construction material. It allows flexibility in structural form as it can be moulded into a multiplicity of
shapes.

How concrete are made

The first step in making concrete is to prepare the cement. One type of
cement, Pordand cement, is considered superior to natural cement
because it is stronger, more durable, and of a more consistent quality.
To make it, the raw materials are crushed and ground into a fine powder
and mixed together. Next, the material undergoes two heating steps—
calcining and burning. In calcining, the materials are heated to a high
temperature but do not fuse together. In burning, however, the materials
partially fuse together, forming a substance known as "clinker." The clinker
is then ground in a ball mill—a rotating steel drum filled with steel balls
that pulverize the material.

After the Portland cement is prepared, it is mixed with aggregates such

as sand or gravel, admixtures, fibers, and water. Next, it is transfered
to the work site and placed. During placing, segregation of the various
ingredients must be avoided so that full compaction elimination of air
bubbles can be achieved.
The major uses of concrete

1. Concrete Dams

The characteristics of concrete such as high strength and unit weight make it a more suitable material
for the construction of dams. Dams are used to store water and produce electricity. The loads
imposed on the dam due to water pressure are very intense which makes concrete as a suitable
material for dam construction.

2. Residential Buildings

The construction of small buildings, villas, and even high-rise buildings are done using concrete with
traditional or modern form-work as a method of construction of the skeleton from foundations to the
slabs and of course columns and beams.

3. Commercial Buildings

The use of concrete in commercial buildings makes it safer than using most other construction
materials. It is mostly more economic than steel buildings and requires less maintenance. It is easy to
control the heat transfer from inside to outside and vice versa which reduces the energy consumed.

4. Roads or Driveways

Concrete streets, pavements, and driveways are more durable and stronger than asphalt roadways.
The long-lasting service time and the less maintenance required for concrete roads make it the first
choice of material for the construction of roads and driveways.

5. Marine Construction
Concrete has had extensive use as a construction material for seawalls, jetties, groins, breakwaters,
bulkheads, and other structures exposed to seawater. The performance record has generally been
good.

6. Culverts and Sewers

Sewers and underground construction works need strong and durable building materials and concrete
is the ideal one. Culverts, piers, foundation, abutments are constructed using special concrete mix.

7. Foundations

The foundation of high-rise or low-rise buildings is usually constructed using reinforced cement
concrete, as it is durable and has a huge load-carrying capacity.

8. Fences

The development in the precast concrete industry has improved the industry of concrete fences. It is
faster to produce and install the fence elements using precast than the traditional method of concrete
fence construction. Moreover, it is beautiful and more attractive.

9. Concrete Bridges

Reinforced concrete strength, durability, ductility, weather resistance, fire resistance, and long-lasting
life cycle makes the concrete the best solution for constructing the bridges. Pre-stressed concrete,
post-stressed concrete, self compacted concrete are different types of concrete that may apply in
bridges construction.

other uses of concrete

1. As the concrete is an important part of a building, it is prioritized over wood as a construction

material.

2. Concrete once cast and cured does not require any maintenance and can hold up against any
weather condition.

3. Concrete is a non-combustible or decaying material that makes it inert material that doesn’t burn,
mildew or feed rot.

4. Its superior structural integrity provides an added degree of protection from the severe weather
as well as an earthquake.

5. Concrete is produced from locally available materials and leaves a small environmental footprint
while still providing high-level durability.

6. Concrete can be shaped in various forms when freshly mixed.

7. A concrete floor can be stamped to create an attractive surface. It can admit natural light during
the day and transmit artificial light after work.

8. It is a durable and cost-effective material which is a necessity for underground use.

Advantages of Using Concrete in Construction

Advantages of concrete. Among all the construction materials used in the world, concrete is most
widely used due to its unique benefits compared to other materials. Ten significant advantages of
concrete are explained below.

Concrete is used to make:

-Pavements
-architectural structures
-foundations
-motorways
-roads and bridges
-overpasses
-parking structures
- walls and footings for gates
-fences and poles

References:

1.”Concrete” retrieved by 22 Nov 2022,

 https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Concrete.

2.”What is concrete,A Blend of Agregates bound together by a Hydraulic Binder”

Heidelbergcementgroup-https://www.hanson.co.uk/en/ready-mixed-concrete/technical-
information/what-is-concrete

3.Mindess, S. Advances in Cementitious Materials. The American Ceramic Society, 1991. Vol.

16: Ceramic Transactions.

4.”10+ Uses of Concrete in Civil Engineering.” The Constructor, 2009-2021,

https://theconstructor.org/concrete/uses-concrete-civil-engineering/35992/

5.“Concrete in Construction: Uses, Advantages, and Types.” Pro Crew Schedule,9 April 2020,
https://procrewschedule.com/concrete-in-construction-uses-advantages-and-types/