Moldable Construction Material: Concrete

The infrastructure within a society is molded by concrete. It is an indispensible material in the modern world. Concrete is a strong moldable construction material. Its usefulness in construction prompts the numerous innovations constantly being made in producing new types. The main components of concrete are cement, sand, gravel commonly referred to as aggregate and water. Finished concrete also constitutes products such as marbles, silica sand, bauxite, granite, calcium carbonate and iron ores.

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A mixture of cement and water forms a paste. This paste coats the sand and aggregate. It is through a chemical process that cement reacts with water and hardens. Water provides viscosity, which is essential in making concrete .The hardening of the paste allows binding to occur for the components making up concrete. The process of hardening takes some weeks to occur and its strength increases over the years.

The building block of concrete is cement. The material comprises of natural occurring elements, earthly compounds and alkali metals. The process of making cement involves the crushing of clay and limestone which are then roasted in a kiln. 75% of cement is comprised of Di, Tri-calcium silicate, while smaller percentages of tetra calcium aluminoferrite, tricalcium aluminates and hydrated calcium sulphate concentrations top up the remaining 25%.

Protection to Concrete

The advantages obtained from concrete makes it vital to protect it so as to continue gaining from its benefits. Among its advantages is the provision of a cheap and readily available construction material. It is also able to withstand deterioration from changing weather patterns. Adding to its advantages, it has the ability to alter its properties based on the specifics of the job.

Protection to concrete structures especially from environmental considerations and chemical attacks is necessary in ensuring the durability of these structures and in maintaining the value of these structures. Threats to concrete include; chemical erosion, corrosion, cracks from swelling and shrinking, lime leaching and the growth of fungal elements and algae. In addition to these threats, buildings close to the sea are faced with the problem of efflorescence and salt damage through crystallization and hydration. Wearing off of concrete could result in devastating disasters such as the collapsing of structures.

In preventing the occurrence of construction calamities, various measures have been produced to protect concrete. Among the methods is the provision of sealers. Sealers create a thin closed film, which protects the surface of the concrete from moisture or its uptake. In making sealers, the quantities of impregnation agents are increased to create a film. Sealers are also important primers during the coating process.

The existent of stable covalent bonds between the silicates and silanes makes them suitable materials in making of sealers. Silicon compounds provide stable water repellency while maintaining water vapor permeability. The suitability of silicates as sealers is further enhanced by their high resistance to UV radiation, microbes and aggressive substances.

The advantage of protecting concrete is seen in creating quality through the innovation of new technology. Cost savings is also made possible through the implementation of cost effective strategies while protecting concrete. Similarly, exemplary environmental compatibility is achieved that creates positive public acceptance. Unique advantages brought forth by the use of sealers are seen in energy conservation through minimizing maintenance work. Resource conservation and sustainability are also categorized as unique advantages.