There are many versatile and diverse materials that are playing important roles in so many different projects that are taking place all over the world. One of the most widely used materials during construction is concrete. This unique and useful material has become a staple in building everything from walls to driveways. There are many different applications and uses for concrete, and its place as an efficient and cost-effective source of building material is undisputed. This article will examine some fun facts about concrete, including how it is made and what type of modern and future uses it can fulfill.
Concrete is composed of coarse and fine aggregate that is then bonded with fluid cement which then will harden over time. It is sometimes made from a line based cement binder like lime putty but is sometimes comprised of other hydraulic pipe cement. Many other non-cement types of concrete are in existence that involve different methods of combining the aggregate together. When the aggregate becomes mixed with Portland cement and water it will then form a slurry that is poured and molded into the desired shapes. There are even things like a concrete mix “fast setting” variety that speeds up this process. Concrete mix is a cheap and easy way to make this material for any project, making its use even more abundant.
Concrete is used in a wide variety of different projects and is actually one of the most frequently used building materials around the world. It is used worldwide 2 times more often than saying such as steel, wood, plastic, and aluminum combined. The concrete Market has even been estimated to exceed revenues of 600 billion dollars in the next five years. It is used for everything from walls, driveways, foundations and has been used for thousands of years.
Future uses for concrete will likely involve many different innovations that look to create and incorporate concrete in an abundance of new and creative ways. One futuristic creation that owes its existence to the evolution of this fascinating material is translucent concrete. Translucent concrete is a building material that incorporates light-emitting diodes into the concrete mix to allow for lighting and the casting of silhouettes from opposite sides of the material, creating an almost see-through appearance. This futuristic innovation has been used for cladding and internal walls on projects all over the world.
There are many varieties of and uses for the material known as concrete. Whether it is in a form like concrete mix, translucent concrete, or poured into a driveway, concrete will continue to be used around the United States and the rest of the world as an affordable and reliable material for a multitude of purposes.