Did you know that the use of concrete dates all the way back to the Roman Empire? Ancient Roman builders would mix and pour concrete into molds to build aqueducts, tunnels, and culverts. This created their complex sewage system.
If your home is located in the South and was built in the 1950s, it may feature a pier and beam foundation. The structural frame sits on beams that span the piers which function as deep footers to anchor the foundation.
The weight in concrete is spread out and distributed among the aggregate in the concrete. This can take an incredible amount of weight. Depending on the mix and raw materials, concrete can take anywhere from 2500 pounds per square inch (or psi) to 4000 psi.
While concrete is naturally fire-resistant, did you know that its fire resistance can be specified? Take concrete residential walls for instance. Typically, these components have a 4-hour fire rating meaning they can effectively resist failure due to fire for that amount of time.
The 18-inch vertical curb is one of several types of concrete curb installations available today. At 6 inches tall by 6 inches wide, 18-inch vertical curbs are among the most durable, as the 12 inches descending into the ground makes it virtually immovable!
The first concrete was invented by the Romans and was made of a mix of volcanic ash and lime. This product could cure underwater and was used for retaining walls and docks.
Concrete blocks can be used as the base for a raised garden bed. Wood is commonly used in garden beds, but it will rot over time, requiring that it be replaced periodically.
Portland cement was first shipped to the US in 1868. London had already constructed its entire sewer system using this new form of cement. By the turn of the century Americans had started producing it for themselves.
Pre-cast concrete is not only used for longevity, cost, and structural integrity, but is also used for its aesthetic appeal. The concrete can be molded into an endless number of shapes and can be produced in any color.
If you're laying concrete, you can do it yourself, but with all the variables that go into concrete, contractors are often a good idea. We can help you figure out if your project is something you can do yourself, or if you need professional help.
The heart of any structure has to be its foundation. After all, it is this component that defines how strong, stable and resilient to damage the building will be when subjected to potentially destructive natural and man-made events.
Control joints are important to the structural integrity of poured concrete. They control where and how shrinkage cracks appear as well as allowing for thermal expansion of the material. Without them cracks would be random, running in unpredictable patterns, which could result in more severe damage.
Using flowable fill makes a hole more stable; strengths from 50 to 150/psi are easily hand dug if repair is needed. However, because of flowable fill’s properties, less re-excavation is needed, and utilities in the immediate area are more secure if re-excavation is needed.
Thinking of using precast concrete as part of your project? You've got a lot of good company. Worldwide, concrete is used twice as much as steel, wood, plastics, and aluminum combined. In fact, it's the second-most-used material in the world after water.
Did you know that most of the world’s population live in concrete structures? In fact, more than 70 percent of people globally live in buildings with concrete. Thomas Edison was the first person to have contracted and lived in a precast concrete house.
If you think your foundation might be weak or unstable, you can have the concrete checked out. This is done by drilling a six inch hole and having the extracted concrete tested in a lab.
Unfortunately, even the most durable parking structures will eventually start to crumble with age. If you’re concerned that your parking garage is becoming a liability for your company, we may be able to help you make repairs to the concrete.
Austrian engineer Karl von Terzaghi developed the mechanics behind modern foundation construction, including mathematical models for bearing capacity. Employed by the Central Powers during WWI, Terzaghi later took a post at MIT, where he worked with the mother of famed poet Sylvia Plath.
Not sure whether your home needs a basement foundation? One important factor to consider is what types of foundations your neighbors have. For instance, if you have a crawl space where everyone else in the area has basements, your house is going to be harder to sell down the road.
Wire mesh, rebar, welded wire, and other products are used in the concrete process to control cracking and associated deterioration. However, proper subgrade support and joint spacing are just as important in controlling these processes.
One of the benefits of building with concrete lies in the level of durability the concrete material offers. Concrete is resistant to rain penetration, flood damage, and wind-blown debris, and it also holds up well to freeze and thaw cycles.
An important part of foundation construction involves waterproofing and drainage to ensure that the foundation stays dry. This is critical, as wet soil beneath a foundation can swell and contract, eventually losing strength.
One of the most cost effective ways to save a cracked asphalt driveway is to rubblize it. This process starts with breaking down the driveway to create an interlocked matrix. A new layer of asphalt is added to produce a brand new, extra strong surface.
Have you heard of pervious concrete? Unlike regular concrete, this type lets water and air pass through it. As such, it is particularly useful in flood control projects because it lets rainwater drain directly into the soil underneath it.