Concrete is a chemically combined mixture of cement, lime, sand, gravel, and water in predetermined proportions. The binding materials of cement and lime bind the filler material of sand, gravel, and stone chips to form a solid mass at ambient temperature.

The application of concreting plays a major role in all aspects of construction as it is an inexpensive, locally sourced, and durable material that is used to complete construction projects. As concrete, gets stronger and more durable with time, it is the most preferred material for building purposes. 

Here Are Some Benefits Of Using Concrete. 

Concreting

The production cost of concrete is much lower when compared to other construction materials. The inexpensive construction material is easily sourced around the globe and is far more readily available than steel, polymers, and other construction materials.

Concrete is locally sourced as the three major ingredients of cement, water, and aggregates (sand, gravel, stone, etc) are available in local markets at a low price.

Solidifies At Room Temperature

One of the greatest qualities of concreting your construction is that the material hardens and sets at ambient temperature. As the major binding component, cement is a low-temperature bonded inorganic material. Hence, it enables concrete to be set at regular temperatures and reduces the hassles of the construction process.

Water-Resistant Properties

The chemicals in water tend to cause corrosion in concrete over time. However, it does tend to withstand corrosion through rain far longer than wood or steel. It makes concrete suitable for underwater applications such as the building of bridges, pipelines, canals, and dams.

While pure water does not corrode concrete or reinforced concrete, the chemicals such as sulphates, chlorides, and carbon dioxide cause corrosion.

Easily Moulded

Concrete is like plasticine in its liquid state. It takes any shape or form when poured into formworks or shuttering configurations for desired shapes and sizes during construction work. Concrete is used to form complex architectural shapes and configurations by simply adjusting the mix.

Conserves Energy

There is less fuss involved with the concreting process when compared to steel. The production of cement concrete takes only 450-750 kWh/ton of energy. Moreover, the production of reinforced concrete takes only 800-3200 kWh/ton of energy. On the other hand, the production of steel requires 8000 kWh/ton energy or more which is 3 to 10 times the energy required when compared to concrete.

Resistant To High Temperatures

Concrete is a highly durable material that can withstand much higher temperature compared to wood or steel. C-S-H (Calcium silicate hydrate) is the main binder in concrete. It can withstand temperatures up to 910 degrees Celsius.

Concrete tends to store a lot of heat from the environment as it is a poor conductor of heat. Since concrete can endure the heat for 2 to 6 hours at a stretch, it gives enough scope for conducting rescue operations in case of a fire. This is why it is used for fireproofing steel and blast applications.

Eco-Friendly Construction Material

Concreting

A wide variety of industrial wastes are used as a substitute for aggregates during concreting. It includes slag, fly ash, waste glass, and ground vehicle tires. As a result, the production of concrete helps recycle waste and reduce environmental impact. Using such materials enhances the properties of concrete while also ensuring the build quality of a structure.

The process of concreting is that of low maintenance. Structures built with concrete do not need coating or paint for protection from weathering. The coating process is to be redone periodically, keeping the cost of maintenance quite low.

So, choose only high-quality concrete to build structures that last a lifetime.