The word concrete is derived from a Latin word ‘concretus’ which means to compact or condense.All the things that are used in building is concrete which consists of cement, gravel, sand and water.This is the composition that is most commonly used by man for building various structures.One also uses there for the construction of pavements, foundations, motor roads, brick walls, parking spaces and in many other building projects.
On the whole this is one of the biggest industries in the entire world with value of about $35 million having people working in it to the tune of 50,000 in the United Kingdom.There are certain benchmarks laid down by the concrete trade association for both residential and commercial constructions so as to maintain the development in building technology. Just to name a few of these associations like The British Ready Mix Concrete Association, The Concrete Repair Association, The Sprayed Concrete Association and The Concrete Block Association.
The source of concrete can be visualized right from the times of the Babylonians and Assyrians where they used the same clay like components as in the concrete.It has also been used by various other early civilizations.Even in the construction of the Egyptian pyramids one has investigated the use of concrete.
Even the Romans have used the concrete.It is a known thing that Roman structures are world famous for their construction where they have made use of the concrete as well.Even the 5,300 miles of roads of theirs has been constructed using the concrete.
Modern concrete (various forms)
It was the innovation by John Smeaton (a British engineer) that led to the construction of the contemporary form of concrete in the year 1756.He made the foremost contemporary concrete, which was called hydraulic cement and which was nothing but an amalgamation of a coarse aggregate of pebbles and cement mixed with powdered bricks.The main purpose of this was to give hardiness to the building along with the capacity to conduct electricity better.
It was a mixture of lime and clay that was invented later on called the Portland cement in 1824 by Joseph Aspdin.This is supposed to be the most prevailing one since these times.
In 1849, Joseph Monier invented reinforced concrete and also obtained a patent in it in 1867.Reinforced concrete was specifically used to hold out heavy loads as it contained iron mesh.The construction of bridges, railway lines and pipelines was made with the help of this form of cement.
It is the use of the of the recycled materials that help in cutting down the environmental hazards in so many ways followed by many these days.
Compositions of concrete
Inspite of the complex cities involved in the composition of the new concrete than the older one they have been proved to provide permanence and stability.Following are some of the ingredients used in concrete:
It is cement that is the vital element in concrete.The composition of mortar and plaster is what is present in the Portland cement that is a very much admired these days.
Aggregate is also an essential ingredient of concrete which consists of gravel, sand, burned clay and crushed stone.
Water is another component of concrete which greatly affects its workability.A less ratio of water as compared to cement will make the concrete stronger and vice versa. Author is an expert on various construction topics and find more articles on Concrete and Trade Associations.