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Concrete is a popular building material that has been used for thousands of years and remains popular today. What is it about concrete that has made it stand the test of time? Concrete offers many incredible benefits that continue to make it a common building material. Before buying concrete in Schenectady, you might enjoy learning the basics about where concrete comes from and what makes it so great. What Is Concrete? Concrete is a simple mixture made of a coarse aggregate bonded together with cement. The aggregate is typically something like sand, gravel, slag, or crushed stone. Aggregates reinforce the overall composite material, making it stronger. The cement is a binder that sets and holds the aggregate together. Cement typically comes in two forms that react chemically in different ways to make a stone-like substance: hydraulic and non-hydraulic. Hydraulic cement reacts with water and can also be used in wet or underwater conditions. Non-hydraulic cement reacts with carbon dioxide in the air. Non-hydraulic cement isn't as durable against chemicals and is therefore not often the cement of choice. When hydraulic cement is mixed with water, the wet mixture is easily molded into a variety of shapes. Often, additives are mixed in to improve the physical properties of either the wet mix or the finished concrete. For example, the additive might help the concrete to set faster or slower depending on the demands of the project. Depending on the function of the cement, it is often reinforced with other materials like rebar. History of Concrete Concrete has been discovered from thousands of years ago. Notably, concrete was used extensively during the reign of the Roman Empire. Concrete freed architects and builders from the restrictions of stone and brick and allowed for revolutionary new designs. Some famous Roman structures made of concrete include the Baths of Caracalla in Rome, the Colosseum, the Pantheon, and many aqueducts and bridges like the Pont du Gard. The material fell out of favor for many centuries after that until a surge in use from the 14th to the mid-18th century. The use of cement gradually returned. In England in the 1750s, Smeaton's Tower was built of concrete, helping to popularize its use again. Reinforced concrete was invented in 1849 and, in 1889, the first concrete reinforced bridge was built. In 1936, the first large concrete dams were built: Hoover Dam and Grand Coulee Dam. Concrete remains a popular choice because of its availability, cost, and inherent properties. Properties of Concrete Concrete has relatively high compressive strength but lower tensile strength. This is why reinforcing materials like rebar are often used. Concrete has constant elasticity at low stress levels, but has a harder time withstanding high stress levels. This causes cracking. Concrete doesn't deform as much as other materials with changes in temperature; however, it does shrink as it ages. Uses of Concrete Concrete is used for many different applications today in both residential and commercial settings. Homeowners often use concrete for driveways, walkways, patios, retaining walls, foundations, and more. It's easy to find concrete in Schenectady in many different forms, depending on your use and preference. There are pre-made blocks and slabs of concrete or mixes of concrete that you can easily form into a specific shape or size. Today, it's also popular to add color or stamp concrete to mimic the look and style of other materials like stone, tile, or wood. This makes it easy for homeowners to customize any concrete project to match any home interior or exterior. Regardless of what form you're using, it's important to take accurate measurements to ensure you have enough.
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