Concrete And Construction Projects: A Handy Guide

Concrete is a massive part of our nation’s foundation (literally). No matter what type of construction project is being undertaken, concrete is likely to be one of the most widely used materials on the job site (if not the most commonly used material). That being said, a lot of Americans still fail to understand what makes concrete so special, and do not comprehend why it’s such an important part of every construction project. For those in the dark, here’s a handy guide covering concrete and its invaluable role in construction projects:

What Is Concrete Used For During Construction Projects?

Concrete is key to completing a wide range of important, infrastructure-defining construction projects. Foundations, parking lots, drive-thrus, high-rises, wastewater treatment, nuclear energy sites, and many other projects would simply not be possible without concrete’s unique advantages as a construction material. The way concrete supports these systems, and makes their long-lasting nature possible, is truly mind-blowing once you get to know about it. If you’ve ever used a concrete pumping service to help boost your business, you’ll have at least an inkling of an idea of how wondrous concrete can really be.

What Are The Key Properties Of Concrete?

Concrete is a fantastic material for construction because of its unique and varied qualities. Concrete is made of extremely durable materials that can withstand high tensile stress scenarios and overall loads without giving way. For this reason, concrete may be the most common material used in large-scale construction projects. Consolidation and reinforcing coverage are crucial in the manufacturing of concrete. It’s crucial to plan ahead before actual construction starts to ensure that the project has the tools and supplies needed to deliver the greatest quality work to the client. Because concrete can be used for hyper-specific purposes, it is easy to plan around, making it ideal for construction architects that are looking to nail a project.

What Are The Most Common Types Of Concrete?

There are tons of different concrete styles and products out there. Each of them has a unique purpose and is used to complete specific tasks on construction job sites. Here are the six most common types of concrete you’re likely to see on a construction site:

1. Pumped Concrete

One of the most widely used types of concrete in the construction industry, pumped concrete is made to quickly pour out of complex pumping systems. Sidewalk foundations, driveways, and hard-to-reach spaces (such as upper floors on high-rises) all benefit from the existence of pumped concrete technology.

2. Prestressed Concrete

If you’re looking at a huge construction site, they are likely using a ton of prestressed concrete products to get their project done. The manufacturing process for prestressed concrete adds prestressed bars and tendons to the end of each structural unit so that the slabs can properly support the structures they’re being inserted into.

3. Precast Concrete

Projects that require complex and unique structure shapes tend to use precast concrete products. These allow you to achieve the strange shapes that make staircases, half-pipes, and modern art sculptures possible. Most large-scale construction projects end up needing some type of precast concrete setup at some point.

4. Reinforced Concrete

When concrete needs to be extra tough, reinforcements are added to the mix before it’s laid, and reinforced concrete is born. Rebar, cables, wires, rods, and other materials are added to the concrete mix to achieve this stronger, more durable design. Reinforced concrete, alongside prestressed concrete, is widely used throughout the construction industry, especially when high-rises and bridges are being built. Also, with rebar reinforcements you will be able to execute materials in more efficient way, because there are tools like rebar cutters etc. .

5. Rapid-Set Concrete

If you’re looking to use concrete in the wintertime, you have to take into account freezing issues. Concrete can crack when drying if temperatures are too cold, after all. With this in mind, rapid-set concrete is designed to do exactly what it sounds like: dry rapidly. This prevents cracking issues and allows jobs to get done much faster during the bitter winter months when it’s typically used.

6. Plain Concrete

If you’ve ever used concrete to help you around the house, you’ve likely bought a concrete product labeled as “plain concrete.” This is the vanilla version of concrete and is made using a 1-2-4 ratio of cement, sand, and aggregate materials. The concrete is made in an efficient, but less detailed fashion, which makes it more appropriate for home improvement projects, rather than large-scale professional construction projects.

Your Business Can Benefit from Concrete

No matter what type of business you’re running, you are already benefiting from the miraculous properties that concrete offers. Getting to-and-from your job would be impossible without the roads and parking lots that concrete makes possible, after all. Next time you see a concrete worker IRL, be sure to thank them for their hard work, and they’ll be sure to appreciate your knowledge of their work.