Ask most cement contractors Delaware has and they’ll tell you the same thing— concrete is an essential part of any construction project. But you don’t even need a professional to tell you that concrete forms a crucial part of any building or structure. Just take a look at the buildings that surround you, the pavements you walk on, and other various structures around. Concrete is everywhere.
This post will explore the materials, properties, and uses of concrete that make it so important for buildings and structures. But first, what is concrete?
What is Concrete?
Concrete is the most widely used construction material in the entire world. Rather than existing as an independent material, concrete is a mix of various materials. These materials include cement, water, fine aggregate, and crushed stones or gravel. Sand and gravel or crushed stones are examples of fine aggregate and coarse aggregate, respectively.
Why is Concrete So Important?
The many cement contractors Delaware folks look to for all their construction needs have one thing in common, they all use concrete. This prevalent use of concrete begs the question, why is concrete such an essential material for construction?
Well, concrete is similar to mortars in both composition and structure. This similarity means concrete works as a binder for the various masonry units in construction, just like any mortar. Unlike ordinary mortar, however, concrete has a wide range of applications. This versatility is as a result of concrete having both fine aggregates and coarse aggregates that are larger. The large size of the coarse aggregates confers strength attributes to concrete, that mortar doesn’t have. This makes it suitable for application in larger and heavier structures. Most mortars have sand as the sole aggregate and are hence weaker than concrete.
Properties of Concrete That Make It Great for Construction
Concrete companies advertise the advantageous properties of concrete for good reasons. Concrete has many incredibly attributes that make it excellent for buildings and structures. Some of these properties include:
1. Strength
Concrete is a very strong material that can withstand great tensile and compressive stresses without yielding. This strength is, of course, a function of the material components of the concrete mix. This variability explains why poorly graded concrete is weaker than a well-graded mix. The strength of concrete makes it suitable for constructing foundations, wastewater treatment facilities, super structures, and other establishments.
2. Workability
Workability underscores the ease of use of a particular material or equipment and how it retains quality during use. Concrete companies have an easy time mixing concrete for starters. The subsequent handling, transportation, placing, and finishing process is also as seamless as the mixing. For such ease of use, concrete is an extremely workable material that is great even for large construction projects.
3. Durability
Concrete lasts for ages, even under very adverse conditions. Concrete can resist weathering action, chemical action, abrasion, and both tensile and compressive stress for long periods without compromising its structural integrity. This attribute makes a concrete structure more stable and suitable for places with rough conditions.
4. Long-Lasting
Concrete can last for well over a thousand years. In fact, the first instances of human-made concrete date back to 500 BC. The fact that we are still able to see this concrete shows just how durable concrete is. Commercial concrete work require little maintenance save from a few touch-ups on the finishing. The longevity of concrete makes it a great material for permanent buildings and other structures like bridges and even dams.
5. Economical
The many cement contractors Delaware or concrete contractors across the state love concrete because it’s cheap and does a great job in building works. Concrete is also very versatile and can be used for a variety of structures including buildings, pavements, pathways, and even bridges, to name a few.
The many properties of concrete make it an incredibly important material for the construction industry and a favorite for the many cement contractors Delaware has.