As real
estate is booming, you may be wondering what determines the structural
integrity of buildings. The answer to this question is the concrete that makes
up these buildings. The structural integrity of a building is its ability to
maintain its strength, shape, and function even when a load is imposed within
adequate limits. Concrete is the primary ingredient in making long-lasting
buildings and structures. It’s a mixture of cement, aggregates (sand and rocks)
and water. No building or structure would be able to withstand exposures to
weather conditions or natural calamities if the concrete making it is not
durable. There are two common types of concrete that construction companies use
— premix concrete and site mix concrete. Both types of concrete have their own
set of specifications, advantages and disadvantages. Before we differentiate
between the two, let’s understand what each type actually means. Site mix
concrete is volumetric concrete that is mixed at the construction site. This
type of concrete is made by mixing cement, sand, and water in a ratio. It
involves a number of formulas and steps that require some amount of time to
mix.
Users have
to be extremely meticulous with the proportion of all ingredients for not
compromising the quality of the concrete. On the other hand, premix concrete is
the concrete that is produced for delivery to a buyer in an unhardened and
plastic state. It is delivered to the end user in a ready-to-use format. This Brisbane premix concrete is considered superior to site mix concrete, involving
end-to-end automation and mechanization in its production process. There is
consistency in quality because concrete is manufactured in factories with the
help of proper technology and equipment. It requires less space because it is
delivered in a ready-to-use state. It causes negligible loss of material on
site because the product is already batched. If you are wondering about the
life expectancy of concrete, you should know that there’s no one answer to
this. There are concrete structures that may last for more than 50 years, while
there are others that may start crumbling down in a matter of a few years. It’s
important to note that concrete has a high compression strength, but a much
lower tensile strength.
As such,
it’s common to see concrete failing under tensile pressure, even though it’s
compressed. This is the reason why concrete elements are reinforced with
materials like steel that have high tensile strength. Brisbane premix concrete elasticity
remains constant under low stress but starts decreasing when matrix cracking
appears under higher stress. Concrete’s low coefficient of thermal expansion is
another reason why concretes shrink and don’t last long. The one that’s
subjected to prolonged pressure is also vulnerable to creep. Now, what is it
that makes ancient structures, temples, and monuments, which were built
centuries ago, stand strong even today. Scientists have unraveled this mystery,
saying that it’s a rare chemical reaction that strengthens the concrete. Take
the Roman sea walls for example. Unlike modern-day concrete, which erodes with
time, ancient concrete has volcanic ash, sea water, lime, and aluminum that
strengthens the concrete and make it prone to cracks.
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