How Concrete Has Changed Over the Last Few Years

Concrete is one of the most popular building materials. It is famed for its extraordinary durability, resilience, and versatility. No wonder some of the oldest historical monuments including the Pantheon and Eddystone Lighthouse are built of concrete.

There are several applications of concrete. It can be pumped, sprayed, troweled, or poured, depending on the nature of the project. It has been around for centuries. Thanks to advances in concrete technology, concrete produced today is much easier to work with than concrete produced during the late 19th century.

The composition of concrete has changed over the years. The three main ingredients of concrete produced during the late 19th century and the early 20th century were gravel, sand, and lime mix. Concrete produced today is made of different materials. The change in composition of concrete has drastically improved its strength and durability.

Earlier, concrete was designed using guidelines set by the American Concrete Institute. Today manufacturers do not follow any specific design guidelines. Modern-day concrete designs are more flexible, allowing concrete to adapt to different environments. This change has allowed for more efficient use of concrete.

Thanks to some amazing technological advancements, the concrete manufacturing process has changed over the years. The modern manufacturing method allows manufacturers to develop new compositions. Many manufacturers, for example, add light, already-moistened aggregates to traditional aggregates to ensure proper concrete curing. Properly cured concrete is more durable than concrete that is partially cured.

High-performance concrete is used for several bridge superstructure members due to its durability. Concrete is also widely used for house construction. Concrete homes are energy efficient. They are fire, rot and rust resistant. Many homeowners use concrete for their driveways, basements, floorings, and counters, which makes perfect sense. Concrete structures and surfaces are easy to maintain and long-lasting.

The recent advancements in concrete technology have allowed manufacturers to come up with several advanced variants of concrete. Some such variants include:

• Ultra-high-performance Concrete: Or UHPC utilizes fibers that lend strength and durability to the final product. When maintained properly, UHPC can last a lifetime –

up to 75 years or more. The compressive strength of UHPC is 30,000 psi. Some other benefits of UHPC include remarkable resistance to the elements, superior flexibility and ductility

• Self-healing Concrete: If you do not cure your concrete properly, it can crack, allowing water and air to get in. Moisture can cause premature wear and tear, leading to concrete degradation. Self-healing concrete contains bacteria that produces limestone when it meets water and air, repairing cracks in the process
• Graphic Concrete: Graphic concrete technology allows you to transfer eye-catching custom or stock patterns and images onto prefabricated concrete surfaces

Bayshore Materials is a renowned concrete delivery company near you. Whether you are building a new home, or want to give an existing home a makeover, we have the right concrete products for your project. To learn more, call (707) 644-0859.