Concrete is a composite material made up of fine and coarse aggregates that are held together by a fluid cement that hardens over time. Concrete inert materials are known as aggregates. It is a substance that is widely employed in construction and is created by mixing cement, aggregate tiny stones, sand, gravel, and water. The components are all bonded to form a stone-like substance. Concrete is the most frequently used building material and the second most widely utilized substance in the world after water.
Concrete is also recognized for its practical strength and is known to survive the longest of all Jacksonville materials, in fact, it gets stronger with age. Concrete is the finest solution for achieving long-term structural strength and integrity. The service life of Jacksonville concrete is roughly 50-60% longer than that of asphalt.
The Benefits of Concrete
Concrete is known to have a variety of advantages. No wonder that among all building materials used around the world, concrete remains the top option for construction and building purposes and is extensively utilized due to its distinct features over other materials. There are many advantages of concrete are outlined as the following:
Durability
One of the notable features of concrete is durability. Concrete lasts longer than other building materials and becomes stronger with time. This factor decreases the cost of any associated reconstruction or rehabilitation.
Concrete is known to be resistant to erosion, weathering, and natural disasters. For construction that will require a material that is able to withstand such environmental changes, concrete remains to be the utilized material that can meet such requirements. It needs only minor repairs and requires only minimal maintenance, making such structures out of concrete an investment that is worth it.
Sustainability
Environmentally-conscious builders look for durable building materials that leave the smallest environmental footprint. Made from locally-sourced plentiful materials Jacksonville’s concrete longevity and durability make it the best option for a sustainable future.
Concrete buildings can help developers and governments meet the sustainability targets as they help reduce cities’ heat island effects, and are able to easily aid in “green roof” projects.
In the life of concrete, recycling is a part of the process from beginning to end. A variety of industrial byproducts and wastewater that end in landfills are utilized in a concrete mixture or in cement kilns. The preprocessing stage in the creation of portland and other types of hydraulic cement, in which calcium carbonate reacts with silica-bearing materials to generate a mixture of calcium silicates, takes place in such cement kilns.
Concrete used for recycling is used as an aggregate in building roads and as granular material in the construction of new concrete.
Resistance Against Elements
Water-based chemicals can cause corrosion in concrete and reinforced concrete. As opposed to steel and wood, concrete is able to withstand water without suffering serious damage. Because of this, concrete is perfect for submerged and underwater material used for such construction as dams, pipelines, canals, linings, and other waterways structures.
Pure water is not harmful to concrete, in fact, it is not harmful even to reinforced concrete. However, the chemicals that dissolve in water, such as chlorides, sulfates, and carbon dioxide are the ones that can cause damages like corrosion.
Concrete can withstand extreme temperatures better than steel and wood. C-S-H, calcium silicate hydrate which is the primary binder of concrete, has the ability to withstand temperatures of up to 910 deg C. Concrete cannot conduct heat, instead, it can hold a significant amount of heat emitted by the surrounding environment.
Cost-Friendly
Wooden and steel structures usually require coatings and paint regularly to guard such structures from weathering. On the other hand, concrete structures do not require such regular coating or paint. The cost associated with a coating that has to be done regularly on wood and steel only shows that maintenance for concrete structures is significantly low.
Costs and insurance for concrete buildings in terms of construction and operation stages have also been found to be considerably lower than buildings constructed using combustible or water-sensitive materials. Take for example concrete pavements and asphalt roads, wherein a fifty-year period of service, concrete pavements are proven to be cost-effective in terms of first-cost and lifecycle cost basis, as they require just 1/3 of the maintenance that an asphalt road would need over such time.
Jacksonville Concrete Assistance
In terms of construction whether residential or commercial, especially in the Jacksonville area, it is recommended to use top-grade Jacksonville concrete. Known to be durable, low-maintenance, and relatively affordable among other construction material counterparts.
For more information about concrete, Jacksonville FL Concrete is glad to offer its expertise and assistance. Visit their website or call their line at (904) 569-6366.