Concrete is an indispensable construction material that is found everywhere in our modern world. A versatile building material, concrete has developed over thousands of years to the durable, chemically complex substance it is today.
What is Concrete?
Concrete is a composite material composed of fine and coarse aggregate bonded together with water and portland cement.
When aggregate is mixed with dry portland cement and water, the mixture forms a fluid slurry that is easily poured and molded into shape. The cement reacts with the water and other ingredients to form a hard matrix that binds the material together into a durable stone-like material that has many uses you see today; foundations, sidewalks, pads, footings, complete buildings and more.
Once placed and finished, concrete cures and provides you with a durable, long-lasting product. When properly cured your concrete will demonstrate optimal strength, low permeability and resistance to the four seasons of the West Kootenays.
Concrete Admixtures
Although the composition for concrete can be quite straightforward, many different outcomes can be achieved by introducing variations into the mixture to meet clients needs. By introducing admixtures into the concrete in the form of fluid or powder many unique characteristics can be achieved.
Some examples of these admixutres include:
- Accelerators: speed up the hydration, and therefore the hardening of the concrete.
- Air Entraining Agents: add and entrain tiny air bubbles in the concrete, which reduces damage during freeze-thaw cycles and increased durability.
- Corrosion Inhibitors: reduces corrosion rates to rebar-enforced concrete.
- Pigments: colour addition for aesthetics and custom projects.
- Plasticizers: increase the workability of fresh concrete allowing it to be more easily placed.
- Retarders: slows the hydration of concrete to increase setting time.