As most people are aware, concrete is one of the most widely used building materials in the globe, other than wood, brick, and metal. Concrete is renowned for its versatility, as it can be fitted into various complex shapes in its wet, paste-like form. It is widely considered the backbone of countless structures and infrastructure projects. Because of its characteristics, they make an ideal choice for a wide range of applications. So, what are the characteristics that make them so useful in construction endeavours?
Durability
Concrete is made to be sturdy to withstand external elements such as weathering and erosion and external force from other objects, no matter how strong and harsh they are. For example, concrete can withstand due to its ability to resist compression forces which makes it ideal to support heavy loads. That’s why buildings, bridges, highways, and dams are mostly made out of concrete.
Once cured, concrete exhibits superb rigidity and dimensional stability. This ensures that concrete-made structures can withstand disintegration, deformation, and degradation which ensures the longevity and reliability of structures made out of concrete.
Versatility
Concrete is highly adaptable, allowing it to be shaped and moulded into virtually any desired form. Its wet, paste-like form during the early stages of mixing enables construction workers to mould concrete into innovative and complex designs. Thanks to its malleable form during its semi-liquid state, concrete is not only limited to box-like building designs. Concrete can be used to create wacky building designs, statues, busts, pavers, and containers. Concrete can also be transformed into different designs and types such as polished concrete, decorative concrete, and exposed concrete, to name a few.
Fire Resistance
Ever wondered why firewalls are made of concrete? This is because concrete is inherently fire-resistant due to its mineral composition and low thermal conductivity. When an accidental fire occurs, concrete structures can still retain their structural integrity, even if their interior components have all burned down. This characteristic helps the building from toppling down like a stack of cards which lets the occupants evacuate safely out of the building in the event of a fire.
Price
Another characteristic of why concrete is popular in construction projects is that it’s cost-effective, especially for large-scale projects. Its raw materials, such as cement, aggregates and water, make it widely and readily available. Its long lifespan and minimal maintenance requirements contribute to its overall cost-effectiveness.
Sustainability
Concrete is considered a sustainable building material due to its low impact on natural resources. Recycling demolished concrete reduces the need to churn out new raw materials for a new batch of concrete which help manufacturers minimise waste. Additionally, certain types of concrete mixtures, such as high-performance and self-compacting concrete, can further enhance sustainability by reducing water and cement consumption.
Concrete’s remarkable characteristics make it a versatile, reliable, and widely used construction material across the globe. Its characteristics mentioned above are proof of why its solid position as the number one material for construction projects to create long-lasting, resilient, and eco-friendly structures. Once cured, concrete exhibits superb rigidity and dimensional stability.
Looking for reliable concrete suppliers in Victoria? Never fret as VIC MIX is here for you. With nearly 30 years in the construction business, VIC MIX in Melbourne knows concrete, from supplying exposed aggregate and decorative concrete to Melbourne and Victoria's communities to undertaking large-scale commercial and industrial projects right across the state.
Contact us at 03 8792 3100 to get a quote if you need to get ahold of reputable contractors to place your concrete or fill out our form here. We can supply you with contact numbers for Concrete placers, grinders, sand blasters and other useful trades to help you get the best possible finish on your project.
If you want to see our products personally, visit our head office in Dandenong or our various showrooms in Coburg and Mornington. See this page to see the complete addresses of our showroom and our plants.