Did you know that concrete is the second-most consumed material in the entire world behind only water? Take a look around you no matter where you are and you’re likely to see at least some concrete. It might be a road or a retaining wall or it could even be a building. There are tons of different types of concrete and each has its own purpose.
It is important when you work in the construction industry that you know the best concrete for your project’s needs. The good news is that you’ve come to the right place to learn more about the different types of concrete, from reinforced concrete to lightweight concrete.
Keep reading this article to learn more.
Reinforced Concrete
Reinforced concrete is exactly what it sounds like. This type of concrete gets reinforced by things like steel bars, fibers, and other strong materials that help the concrete remain intact even under severe pressure. Rebar is the most common thing used to reinforce the concrete.
Lightweight Concrete
Another common type of concrete within the construction business is lightweight concrete. This concrete is made using pumice rock rather than rock aggregate to create it. This means that it isn’t as strong as reinforced concrete but it is great for protecting metal building materials thanks to its lightweight. It is also great for use as insulation on water pipes in cold areas.
Precast Concrete
Precast concrete is another common concrete type in the construction industry. This is related to how the pieces of concrete get created rather than the things used to create them. Normal concrete gets poured at a job site and is then left to harden over a period of time.
Precast concrete is different because it is already poured and dried before it arrives at the job site where it is needed. This gives this type of concrete a chance to get tested for strength and durability ahead of time so that you’ll know it is good to go when it arrives. It works perfectly for uses like concrete manholes.
High-Density Concrete
High-density concrete is another staple of the types of concretes within the construction industry. This type of concrete is popular for projects that require secure concrete such as a powerplant that gets its power from a nuclear core. The concrete is denser which means that it is perfect for protecting the outside of the powerplant from the nuclear energy and waves that get emitted.
It also uses iron as an aggregate rather than rocks sense it needs to be more secure. Interestingly, high-density concrete is usually thinner than reinforce concrete.
Now You Know the Types of Concrete
There are many options for you to choose from when you’re looking at the types of concrete for a construction project. It is important that you know the difference between options like high-density concrete and lightweight concrete so that you choose the right option for your project. You should also know the best uses for things like reinforced concrete and pre-cast concrete.
For more helpful articles, check out our other blog posts today.