Concrete can be used for a variety purposes when building a home or business in Canberra.
While most concrete looks the same, there is a wide range of concrete that can be used for different purposes. It is important to work with professionals who can help you choose the right concrete for your project. If your looking for high quality concreting contractors check out PC Concreting Canberra
We'll be walking you through the most commonly used concrete types in both home and commercial construction to help you understand the differences. You can then discuss your project with the processionals that you choose to make it a successful job.
Are you ready to transform from beginner to professional? Here's everything you need.
These are the six most popular concrete types
Concrete is a building block that can be used in both homes and businesses. But it is far from simple.
There are more than 15 types of concrete, each with its own characteristics. Some concretes are only suitable for commercial use, but there are six that you might find useful in your home or business.
#1: Plain concrete
Concrete is most commonly thought of as this material. Concrete is made from cement and other aggregates like limestone, granite, ash or gravel. The dry mixture is then transported to the jobsite and mixed with water to form thick liquid substance. This is then poured, spread and smoothed in the place.
Concrete cures when it dries and becomes a durable, stone-like material. It has a distinctive grey colour, unless it is mixed with special aggregates or oxides. These can speckle the concrete surface or uniformly alter the hue using specialised colors.
If you're planning on building a pavement, the right kind of concrete will depend on the project. For example, you may be building a bridge or constructing a parking lot. Whether you need the flexibility to design the project as you see fit or the structural strength to last for decades, plain concrete is a good choice. Then again, there are many reasons to choose a different type of concrete for a given job.
The most common form of concrete is plain. It doesn't need reinforcement and has a density between 2200 and 2500 kilograms per cubic metre. It also has a compressive strength between 200 and 500 kg per square centimetre. Plain concrete is used for non-stressing areas, such as driveways and patios. In contrast, high-strength concrete is produced by lowering the water-cement ratio to less than 0.35. Despite its high strength, working with this type of concrete poses a serious challenge.
Do you want a simple concrete driveway, but are you looking to keep your costs down? Here are the best driveway ideas
#2: Reinforced concrete
While plain concrete can be used in many applications, it is not as versatile as it could be. However, it may need to be stronger to withstand the task it is being installed for. Installations that are heavy, such as the foundation of a building, will need to withstand a lot of weight. Plain concrete can be reinforced with steel bars or wire mesh embedded in the concrete. The concrete is reinforced with the reinforcements once it dries.
If you're looking for a durable, long-lasting concrete surface for your building in Canberra, you've come to the right place. Reinforced concrete is a great option for residential and commercial construction projects, and its advantages are numerous. For starters, concrete is an excellent choice for garage flooring. It can withstand the weight of a car, and will last for the life of a home or business.
The process of making reinforced concrete is very similar to that of pouring a concrete slab. Reinforced concrete has steel or metal inserts embedded into the concrete. These reinforced concrete members are often connected to each other and inspected to ensure they meet the project specifications. Reinforced concrete can also be cast as an integral piece through lap, bond, or dowel splicing. This method offers a number of benefits over plain steel, but it is not as durable and can be expensive.
#3: Shotcrete concrete
Concrete can sometimes be required to be placed in unusual shapes or places that are more difficult than a flat pour. An example of this is an above-ground pool with sculpted sides.
The ASA offers technical assistance to help architects and engineers specify the shotcrete process for construction projects. You can also contact the organization if you have any technical questions. It's important to understand that both wet and dry processes produce high-quality concrete with superior properties. The World of Concrete, a premier trade show and conference dedicated to commercial construction, also features the latest concrete products, machinery, and training courses.
One of the greatest benefits of shotcrete is its easy application. This type of concrete is easy to apply, and it has no internal pressure. It can also be injected with additives to increase its water resistance, speed of pumping, or ductility. In addition to being an excellent choice for construction projects in Canberra, shotcrete has many other benefits. It is an excellent choice for swimming pools and aquatic structures.
How does concrete get put in place?
Shotcrete is a common process used by professionals. It involves properly preparing concrete and then applying it to a surface using a high velocity spray hose. Concrete is also compacted by the high impact of concrete hitting the surface. This is ideal for applications with smaller forms or curves.
#4: Glass concrete
Glass concrete is another way to strengthen concrete in architectural projects such as building facades. Glass fibres can be added to concrete to increase load bearing. They can also be compressed into thin panels, making them more versatile for installation.
These panels can be bonded together or sandwiched and then applied to exterior buildings to give them a smooth and processional look. These panels are also lighter than traditional reinforced concrete because they contain glass fibres.
#5: Lightweight concrete
Lightweight concrete can be an excellent alternative to concrete in cases where it is not possible to have concrete last for a long time. Lightweight concrete has a lower density than regular concrete, and a higher water content which makes it more pourable.
Although it takes longer for concrete to dry, the final product is lighter and still offers the structural benefits of concrete. This material can be used to cover an existing substructure.
#6: Precast concrete
Concrete is usually a grey, wet, poured material that has been fitted or blasted into place. There are certain applications in which a prefabricated concrete piece is better than crafting it from scratch.
Precast concrete is the answer.
These concrete pieces are shaped at a manufacturing location using molds or forms. Once cured, they can be used to make a solid piece that is the right size for the project. These finished pieces are then sent in their full size to the jobsite where they will be installed. Precast concrete walls are a great example. They can be made in any shape or colour and come in all sizes.
Choose the right concrete type for your job
The job will dictate the concrete type that is required in most cases. You may not require reinforcement for your driveway, but you might benefit from mixing plain concrete with shotcrete or precast concrete if the project includes retaining walls. Or you can visit Concreters in Canberrafor more information
The majority of pools are made using a mix of plain concrete for the base and stairs, with shotcrete to build the walls. This allows for any gradation from deeper ends to shallower ones. Lightweight concrete can be used to create custom facades for modern Canberra homes and offices.