Different concretes in construction

Explain briefly the importance of different concretes in construction

Different concretes in construction

Different concretes in construction

1. Light weight concrete:

•  The self-weight of concrete structure made from ordinary concrete is very high due to high density of conventional concrete (=24 kN/m3) and RCC (=25kN/m3). Moreover the conventional concrete has high thermal conductivity which aids in the loss of heat (energy) through them.

•  These issues are overcome by the use of light weight concrete wherein a significant amount of voids filled with air are introduced by the use of light Weight aggregates.

•  This concrete is very useful in the seismic design of structures.

•  Because of low thermal conductivity, it has high fire resistance and is thus beneficial as fire prone locations.

•  It can be used as a pre-cast composite wall or floor panels.

2. Ultra-light weight concrete :-

•  The density of this concrete varies from 600 to 1000 kg/m3.
•  It has high thermal insulation.
•  It is used for leveling and screeds.
•  It is used for filling of voids.
•  It can advantageously be used for architectural finishes.

3. Mass concrete:

•  Massive structures like dams, canals, bridge piers and abutments etc. require huge amount of concrete and the same is called as mass concrete.

•  Because of mass concreting, high heat of hydration of cement is produced which gives rise to porous structure and thus preferably low heat cement should be used.

4. Vacuum Concrete :-

•  It is used for concreting thin sections like slabs and walls.
•  It is widely used for manufacture of pre-cast plain and reinforced concrete units.
•  It is used in the construction of horizontal and inclined slabs.
•  It is also used for repair and maintenance of pavements.

5. High density concrete :-

•  The density of this concrete ranges from 33.5KN/m3 to 38.5 KN/m3.

•  It is mainly used in the construction of reactor chambers where  shielding of radiations is highly indispensable.

•  It is also used in the construction of offshore structures.

6. Ready mix concrete :-

•  It is abbreviated as RMC .

•  It is mostly preferred over on-site concrete production due to better control on the concrete mix proportions and better monitoring.

•  It is used where faster construction is needed.

7. Shrotcrete :-

•  It is a mortar conveyed through a hose pipe and pneumatically projected on a surface with a high velocity.

•  It is sued for filling the cracks of concrete.

8. Pumped concrete:

•  It is used for delivering concrete at inaccessible locations like top of a bridge pier, in the construction of high rise structures etc.