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Concrete Construction
Cement & Concrete Technology Home > Concrete Construction

Focus on Floors (Click here or on individual topics.)

The following sections will help you through the various issues relating to concrete slabs and floors (click on topic). You will find that there is much more than you imagined to that hard surface you walk on every day.


Building Tips for Trouble-Free Concrete Slabs

Concrete is the material of choice for driveways, sidewalks, patios, steps, and for garages, basements, and industrial floors. It is relatively inexpensive to install and provides an attractive, durable surface that is easy to maintain. Proper attention to the standard practices and procedures for constructing exterior or interior concrete can yield a concrete surface that will provide long-lasting, superior performance. Click here for some building tips that will aid in the construction of quality concrete projects.

Safety Measures for Concrete Construction

Concrete construction is no exception to the importance of construction safety. Although claiming one of the lower jobsite-injury rates, dangers associated with both the material aspects and construction practices of concrete construction must be addressed to continue the industry’s focus on safety. Heightened awareness, improved safety training programs, and diligent enforcement are the keys to improving safety on the jobsite. More.


Bugholes: Causes and Prevention of a Pesky Problem

One of the primary influences affecting the surface quality of concrete is bugholes. Bugholes, pinholes, blowholes, surface voids – they are recognized by various names, but all refer to a common problem that contractors want to avoid. Bugholes, are small, regular or irregular cavities (usually not exceeding 15 mm [9/16 in.]) resulting from entrapment of air bubbles on the surface of vertically formed concrete structures during placement and consolidation. More.

Conductive Concrete for Bridge Deck Deicing

Heated deck of Roca Spur Bridge in Nebraska is the world's first implementation using conductive concrete for deicing. To read full article by Christopher Y. Tuan, Ph.D., P.E., Associate Professor of Civil Engineering, University of Nebraska click here.


First Use of Ultra-High Performance Concrete for an Innovative Train Station Canopy

The Shawnessy Light Rail Transit (LRT) Station, constructed during fall 2003 and winter 2004, forms part of a southern expansion to Calgary's LRT system and is the world's first LRT system to be constructed with ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC). To read the full article by V. H. Perry and D. Zakariasen, Lafarge Canada Inc., click here.

Pervious Concrete and Freeze-Thaw

Pervious pavements have been used for years throughout the warmer climates of the United States with excellent results. However, in climates prone to severe freeze-thaw cycles, some are hesitant to use these pavements until it has been proven that pervious concrete can be made to resist freeze-thaw damage. Research on this topic is currently underway. More.

 

"Bendable Concrete" Replaces Bridge Expansion Joints


University researchers have collaborated with a state Department of Transportation to apply bendable concrete in a local bridge project. Engineered Cementitious Composites (ECC) have been shown to have all of the characteristics sought by highway designers and structural engineers for a highly durable concrete material. The distinctive property of ECC is the ability to bend while maintaining its compressive strength. These properties make the material a good fit for use in place of bridge expansion joints as demonstrated in this innovative project. More.

Concrete Shines as Solar Reflectance Material

Concrete does a very good job of reflecting solar energy. That is the finding from a recent PCA study which measured the solar reflectance of 135 concrete specimens from 45 mixes representing exterior concrete flatwork. In fact, all concretes tested in this study would qualify for LEED® credits for Heat Island Effect.

Solar reflectance index (SRI), a calculated value based on solar reflectance, SR, is one way to determine how much light energy a material reflects: stated another way, comparing SRI or SR of different materials tells which ones absorb less solar radiation. This is useful because darker materials absorb more heat, which is generally considered undesirable for its effect on the environment. This may have an immediate, local effect, like heat gain in urban areas (heat island). More.

Read the complete report describing test procedures, concrete mixes, materials, and other aspects of this study, Solar Reflectance of Concretes for LEED Sustainable Sites Credit: Heat Island Effect (SN2982).

 

 
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