23 types of concrete used in construction and their applications - The Builder (2023)

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Different types of concrete are produced depending on the starting material, mixture design, construction method, area of ​​application and type of hydration reaction. Details of these different types of concrete, their properties and applications are discussed.

23 types of concrete and their applications

The different types of concrete are:

1. normal strength concrete
2. Plain or ordinary concrete
3. reinforced concrete
4. prestressed concrete
5. Precast concrete parts
6. lightweight concrete
7. High density concrete
8. aerated concrete
9. Fertigbeton
10. Polymer concrete
    1. Polymer concrete
    2. polymer cement concrete
    3. Polymer impregnated concrete
11. High strength concrete
12. high-performance concrete
13. Self-compacting concrete
14. Spritzbeton
15. permeable concrete
16. concrete void
17. pumped concrete
18. embossed concrete
19. calcrete
20. asphalt, concrete
21. Roll compacted concrete
22. Fast setting concrete
23. Betonglas

The properties and uses of the different types of concrete mentioned above are briefly explained:

1. Normal strength concrete

The concrete obtained by mixing the basic ingredients cement, water and aggregate gives a normal strength concrete. The strength of this type of concrete ranges from 10 MPa to 40 MPa. Normal strength concrete has a setting time of 30 to 90 minutes, depending on the properties of the cement and the climatic conditions of the construction site.

2. Concrete simple

Plain concrete contains no reinforcement. The main components are cement, aggregate and water. The most common mix design used is 1:2:4, which is the normal mix design. The density of bulk concrete varies between 2,200 and 2,500 kg/cubic meter. The compressive strength is 200 to 500 kg/cm²These types of concrete are mainly used in flooring and building construction, mainly in areas where high tensile strength is less required. The durability imparted by this type of concrete is quite satisfactory.

3. Reinforced concrete

Reinforced cement concrete is defined as concrete into which reinforcement is introduced to withstand tensile strength. Plain concrete is weak in tension and good in compression. Therefore, the placement of the reinforcement takes responsibility for absorbing the tensile forces. R.C.C works with the combined effect of mass concrete and reinforcement. The reinforcing steel used in the concrete can be in the form of struts, rods or in the form of mats. Now the fibers are also being developed as reinforcement.Fiber concrete is a concrete that uses fibers (steel fibers) as reinforcement for the concrete. Using mesh in concrete gives ferrocement. Regardless of what type of reinforcement is used in the concrete, it is very important to ensure adequate bond between the concrete and the reinforcement. This bond controls the strength and durability factors of the concrete.Also read:Why choose reinforced concrete as a building material for a structure?

4. Prestressed concrete

Most concrete mega projects are done with prestressed concrete elements. This is a special technique in which the bars or cables used in the concrete are tensioned before the actual working load is applied. During the mixing and placing of the concrete, these tie rods are fixed and held at each end of the assembly. After the concrete has set and hardened, the assembly is pressurized. This prestressing phenomenon makes the lower section of the concrete element more resistant to tension.The tensioning process requires heavy equipment and specialized labor (jacks and tensioners). Therefore, the clamping units are manufactured on site and assembled on site. They are used in the application of bridges, heavy-duty structures and roofs with larger spans.Also read:Principles, needs and advantages of prestressed concrete

5. Fertigbeton

Various structural elements can be manufactured and cast to specifications at the factory and purchased locally at the time of assembly. These concrete units are called precast concrete elements. Examples of precast concrete elements are concrete blocks, stair units, precast walls and posts, concrete lintels and many other elements. These units have the advantage of being quick to set up as only one assembly is required. Since the production takes place on site, the quality is guaranteed. The only precaution concerns the transport.Also read:

6. Lightweight concrete

Concrete with a density below 1920 kg/m³It is classified as lightweight concrete. By using lightweight aggregates in the concrete structure, we obtain lightweight aggregates. Aggregates are the important element that contributes to the density of concrete. Examples of lightweight aggregates are pumice, perlite and slag. Lightweight concrete is used to protect metal structures and also in the construction of long-span bridge decks. These are also used to build the building blocks.Also read:Lightweight concrete - types, classification, uses and advantages

7. High density concrete

Concrete with densities between 3000 and 4000 kg/m³It can be called heavy concrete. Heavy aggregates are used here. Crushed stone is used as coarse aggregate. The most commonly used heavy aggregates are barite. These types of aggregates are most commonly used in the construction of nuclear power plants and similar projects. The heavy aggregate helps the structure withstand all kinds of radiation.Also read:Applications of high-density radiation protection concrete in construction

8. Aerated concrete

These are types of concrete in which air is intentionally incorporated in an amount of 3 to 6% of the concrete. Air is incorporated into the concrete by adding foam or gaseous blowing agents. Some examples of air entraining agents are resins, alcohols and fatty acids.For more information, see:Influence of air-entrained concrete on concrete strength

9. Concrete soon

Concrete that is mixed and paved in a batching plant is called ready-mixed concrete. The mixed concrete is brought to the construction site with the help of a truck mixer. Once obtained locally, it can be used directly without further treatment. Ready-mix concrete is very precise and special concrete can be designed based on the specification with the highest quality. The production of these concretes requires a centralized mixing plant. These systems are set up at an adjustable distance from the construction site. If the transportation is too long, it will lead to concrete setting. Such time delay problems are solved through the use of retarders that retard setting.For more information, see:Batching, mixing, transporting and handling of ready-mixed concrete

10. Polymer concrete

Compared to conventional concrete, polymer concrete binds the aggregate with polymer instead of cement. The manufacture of polymer concrete will help reduce the volume of voids in the aggregate. Therefore, this reduces the amount of polymer needed to bind the aggregates used. The aggregates are therefore classified and mixed accordingly in order to achieve a minimum of cavities and thus maximum density.This type of concrete has several categories:

• Polymer impregnated concrete
• polymer cement concrete
• Partly impregnated

Also read:Polymer impregnated concrete - Applications and properties of polymers in concrete

11. High strength concrete

Concretes with a strength of more than 40 MPa can be called high strength concrete. This increase in resistance is achieved by lowering the water-cement ratio even below 0.35.File:Properties and differences between normal concrete and high strength concreteCalcium hydroxide crystals, which due to their strength properties are the product of paramount importance during hydration, are reduced by the addition of silica fume. In terms of performance, high strength concrete has less to do in terms of workability, which is a problem.

12. High performance concrete

These concretes meet a certain standard, but are in no way restricted in their durability. It should be noted that all high strength concretes can be of the high performance concrete type. But not all high-performance concrete (HPC) is high-strength concrete. The standards to which high-performance concrete conforms are listed below:

• Gaining strength at an early age
• Simple concreting.
• Permeability and Density Factors
• heat of hydration
• Long life and durability
• Mechanical properties of toughness and service life.
• environmental concerns

Also read:High-strength, high-performance concrete materials and differences

13. Self-compacting concrete

Once placed, the concrete mix compacts under its own weight and is considered self-compacting concrete. No separate vibration should be provided. This mixture has higher workability. The decrease value will be between 650 and 750. Due to the better workability, this concrete is also called flow concrete. In areas with heavy rebar, self-compacting concrete works best.

14. Spritzbeton

The type of concrete differs in the way it is applied to the surface to be poured. With the help of a nozzle, concrete is poured over the prepared frame or shell formwork. Because the firing occurs at a higher air pressure, the placement and densification processes occur simultaneously.Also read:what is shooting Procedures, applications and advantages of gunting

15. Permeable concrete

Permeable or permeable concretes are concretes designed to allow the passage of water. When designed, these types of concrete have voids of 15-20% of the concrete volume. Permeable concrete is created by mixing methods, performance, application methods, etc. Water issues remain. Rainwater is channeled through these permeable concrete ceilings and gets into the groundwater. This solves most drainage problems.

16. Vacuum concrete

Concrete with a water content greater than the required amount is poured into the formwork. The excess water is then removed using a vacuum pump without waiting for the concrete to harden. Thus, the concrete structure or platform is ready for use sooner than with normal construction technology. These concretes reach their compressive strength of 28 days within 10 days and the compressive strength of these structures is 25% higher than conventional types of concrete.Also read:Vacuum Concrete: Techniques, Equipment and Benefits

17. Pumped concrete

One of the main properties of the concrete used in large megastructures, especially in the construction of skyscrapers, is the ability to transport concrete to height. Therefore, one of these readily pumpable concrete properties results in a pumpable concrete structure. The concrete used for pumping must have sufficient workability so that it can be easily transported through the pipeline. The pipe used is a rigid or flexible hose that will deliver the concrete to the desired area. The concrete used must be of a liquid nature, containing sufficient fine material and water to fill the voids. The finer the material used, the greater the control achieved in the mix. The granulation of the coarse aggregate used must be continuous.Also read:What is pumped concrete? Types of concrete pumps and selection

18. Stamped concrete

Tamped concrete is an architectural concrete that can be used to create realistic patterns similar to natural stone, granite and tiles using professional pad printing. These impressions are made on the concrete in the plastic state. The various coloring and texture work will eventually result in a finish very similar to the more expensive natural stones. An improved cosmetic appearance can be achieved by a stamped surface in a cost-effective manner. This is used in the construction of driveways, interior floors and patios.Also read:What is stamped concrete? Properties, methods and procedures for stamping concrete.

19. Limestone

This is a type of concrete in which cement is replaced with lime. The main use of this product is on floors, domes and vaults. These different cements have many environmental and health benefits. These products are renewable and easy to clean.

20. Asphaltbeton

Asphalt concrete is a composite material, a mixture of aggregate and asphalt, commonly used for paving roads, parking lots, airports, and as the core of dams. Asphalt concrete is also called asphalt, asphalt or pavement in North America and asphalt or bituminous macadam or rolled asphalt in the United Kingdom and Republic of Ireland.

21. Walzbeton

These are concretes that are placed and compacted with the help of earthmoving equipment such as heavy rollers. This concrete is mainly used for excavation and backfill purposes. These concretes have lower cement and filler content for the area required. After compaction, these concretes offer high density and eventually cure into a strong monolithic block.

22. Fast setting concrete

As the name suggests, these concretes become resilient within a few hours of being made. This facilitates the removal of the formwork and thus the construction of the building is completed quickly. These have a very wide application in road repair as they can be reused after a few hours.

23. Glasbeton

Recycled glass can be used as an aggregate in concrete. This is how we get a concrete of modern times, vitreous concrete. This concrete increases the aesthetic appeal of the concrete. They also offer long-term durability and better thermal insulation.For more information, see:Concrete - Definition, Classes, Constituents, Manufacture, Construction and Items