4 Types Of Concrete And Their Construction Uses

There are over 24 different types of concrete used in construction industries around the world so far. Why you might ask? Because each type of concrete will have different advantages, disadvantages, and intended uses in the world of concrete construction. Depending on what your construction job is, your concrete will differ - after all, you’d want the best possible materials for your project, wouldn’t you? We’ll be talking you through a few of the most common types of concrete used in Oklahoma and what they're used for in commercial concrete construction in OKC.

4 Types Of Concrete And Their Construction Uses

Commercial Concrete Construction

There are over 24 different types of concrete used in construction industries around the world so far. Why you might ask? Because each type of concrete will have different advantages, disadvantages, and intended uses in the world of concrete construction. Depending on what your construction job is, your concrete will differ - after all, you’d want the best possible materials for your project, wouldn’t you? We’ll be talking you through a few of the most common types of concrete used in Oklahoma and what they're used for in commercial concrete construction in OKC.

Reinforced Concrete

Reinforced concrete is one of the most common types of concrete used around the world. This is because it’s used primarily for heavy construction jobs where a lot of reinforcement is needed. This type of concrete is a lot stronger than other types, as it has wires, steel rods, and cables (otherwise known as rebar) laid inside the concrete to add endurance and extra strength. The rebar helps to resist tensile forces while the concrete works on resisting compressive forces, making it quite the concrete construction material for things like bridges and large buildings.

Air-Entrained Concrete

Air-entrained concrete is perfect for Oklahoma’s frosty winter months as it provides better durability and resistance to frost and below zero temperatures. Most concrete tends to hold air when it’s mixed and poured, which can be an issue for colder climates. Air-entrained concrete used foaming agents within the mixing process to entrain the air, adding around 5% of volume to the concrete and ensuring that the concrete can’t be damaged by freeze-thawing. Concrete construction that isn’t air-entrained will let in water, which will sit in the air pockets and expand when frozen, causing cracks and fractures. Only trained individuals can mix and pour air-entrained concrete, as it needs to be perfectly mixed and produced on-site.

Decorative Concrete

Decorative concrete is mainly used for commercial concrete construction in OKC for aesthetic reasons. Any project that needs a strong, durable material with some added personality will work well using decorative concrete. Decorative concrete is most commonly used to jazz up outdoor staircases, driveways, and even swimming pool floors. The concrete can be colored and imprinted to your choosing, which makes it a great option for adding a stamp or personality. While looking the part, it is also durable and strong enough to withstand pressure and weight over a long period of time, making it a popular choice for home driveways.

Asphalt Concrete

Blacktop or asphalt is a type of concrete mostly used for road use. You’ll find asphalt concrete on airport runways, highways, parking lots, and even sidewalks. The material is perfect for these types of concrete construction as it boasts a high skid resistance, durability, fatigue resistance, permeability, and stability, and is very easy to work with. Asphalt concrete can have a variety of mixtures, but all are made from a mixture of aggregates and asphalt.

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