What two ancient structures in Rome are famous, in part, for being made of concrete before the invention of rebar? We'll give you a hint: They're about 2,000 years old. If you guessed the Coliseum and the Pantheon, you're right.
What is a cornerstone? The cornerstone is very important as it is the first stone in a masonry foundation. Every other stone's placement will be guided by this first cornerstone.
If you will be needing concrete for driveways, walks, outdoor patios, or similar areas exposed to the elements, let us know. We can make sure there is a proper level of air entrainment to increase its freeze resistance.
It is possible to recycle concrete successfully, and 38 U.S. states are doing just that. How does it work? Large sections of reclaimed concrete are pulverized to produce new aggregate materials. As with steel, we may soon be recycling a majority of old concrete.
Did you know that the first concrete road ever built is still in existence today? In fact, this road, constructed by George Bartholomew in 1891, was the first ever to be built using poured concrete. Tested at around 8,000 psi, this is twice the weight strength standard used in today's modern residential construction.
How does concrete lifting work? The contractor drills holes into the sunken concrete slab at regular intervals and pumps cement slurry into the holes. As the slurry fills the voids below, it creates sufficient pressure to lift the slab to the desired level.
It has been archaeologically determined that one of the first uses of concrete was by the early Syrian Bedouins who occupied the southern region of Jordan and Syria around 6500 BC. They used hydraulic lime to build early mortar holding kilns, which enabled them to build early homes and cisterns.
One alternative to using concrete is an earth bag foundation. In this type of construction, bags of earthy material such as adobe are stacked in alternating layers with barbed wire. The weight and weave of the bags pushing on the wire holds the foundation in place.
Did you know that most towns, cities, and states have their own specification for the design and construction of curbs? In fact, this includes the type of construction materials used and the shape and size of the curb, as well as the height and length of the curb.
Did you know that foundation problems can plague any home, no matter its age? In fact, an older home won’t necessarily have foundation issues, and a new home doesn’t necessarily mean you’re in the clear. It’s best to have the foundation inspected by a professional regardless.
A major benefit of concrete building materials is the relatively low level of maintenance they require. Since concrete is inert, compact, and nonporous, it doesn’t attract mold or lose its main properties over time.
The National Foundation Repair Association, according to its website, "is a professional national organization that exists to promote high ethical standards in the practice of foundation repair and to promote cooperation between the foundation repair industry and government."
While there's something to be said about the aesthetics of a structure, what's even more important is how its foundation was laid out. As such, it would be advisable to work only with experienced contractors to ensure that your building is anchored solidly to the ground.
Cement may look like powdered gray rock, but it’s actually the result of a complicated process. Raw ingredients like limestone and clay are crushed, then run through a kiln at 2,700 degrees Fahrenheit. The result is ground up, then mixed with limestone and gypsum to produce the fine powder.
Flanged steel pilings are an effective solution when the surrounding soil is problematic. The flanges create a barrier between the piling and soil, which protects the piling from the soil and prevents deterioration.
Have you been dragging your feet on your outdoor rejuvenation project because you aren’t sure how much concrete you’ll need? Let’s talk about the nature of your project so that we can help you better estimate how much material you’ll need from us.
One of the benefits of using precast concrete products in concrete construction is that the factory-made pieces are produced offsite independent of weather and other conditions. This means that this aspect of the process can proceed separately from the onsite construction work.
Polymer mudjacking formulas can be the most effective foundation stabilizer in areas where soils are weak or water is a persistent threat. The polymer is waterproof so it will not wash away, and it’s light enough to avoid overly compressing weak soils.
Did you know that concrete continues to get stronger as it gets older? In fact, while most of the hydration and strengthening of concrete take place within the first month, hydration continues at a slower rate for many years.
In the manufacturing of concrete, the strength of the product is probably the most important property that’s tested at the plant to ensure compliance with specifications. Other properties tracked include cement content, water/cement ratio, and workability.
In colder climes, the site must have proper drainage to protect the foundation during the winter. If not, frost heaves may appear causing the slab to move, crack, settle too far below grade, or fail completely.
Portland cement is composed of limestone, silica, and alumina, which have been ground into a very fine powder and heated to a high temperature. The substance is then cooled and ground into a fine powder, with gypsum being added during the grinding process.
In concrete construction, control joints are used to prevent indiscriminate cracking. Generally speaking, correct spacing will encompass around 140 square feet depending on both the thickness and PSI of the concrete.
Concrete is available in a number of different colors and textures. It can even mimic the look of stone and brick. This can be an important feature when you want an attractive material that will match the finish of an existing feature in your landscape.
