Aerated autoclaved concrete
June 2, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Definitions
Autoclaved Aerated concrete (AAC), or otherwise known as Autoclave Cellular Concrete (ACC), is a lightweight, precast building material. AAC provides structure, insulation, fire and mold resistance in a single material. AAC products include blocks, wall panels, floor and roof panels, and lintels.
It has since been refined into a high thermally insulating concrete-based material used for construction both internally and externally. Besides insulating capability, one of AAC’s advantages in construction is its quick and easy installation since the material can be routed, sanded and cut to size on site using standard carbon steel band saws, hand saws and drills.
Decorative concrete
June 2, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Definitions
Decorative concrete involves using concrete in roles that are not strictly related to its functional elements. Concrete is known for its great strength, especially when combined with steel rebar. Concrete can be used for, among other things, walls, floors and countertops that are structurally sound and also provide a decorative finish that resembles polished stone, with less cost for materials.
Fiber reinforced concrete
June 2, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Definitions
Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) is concrete containing fibrous material which increases its structural integrity. It contains short discrete fibers that are uniformly distributed and randomly oriented. Fibers include steel fibers, glass fibers, synthetic fibers and natural fibers. Within these different fibers that character of fiber reinforced concrete changes with varying concretes, fiber materials, geometries, distribution, orientation and densities.
Fibers are usually used in concrete to control plastic shrinkage cracking and drying shrinkage cracking. They also lower the permeability of concrete and thus reduce bleeding of water. Some types of fibers produce greater impact, abrasion and shatter resistance in concrete. Generally fibers do not increase the flexural strength of concrete, so it can not replace moment resisting or structural steel reinforcement. Some fibers reduce the strength of concrete.
Lunarcrete
June 2, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Definitions
Lunarcrete, an idea first proposed by Larry A. Beyer of the University of Pittsburgh in 1985 (see further reading), is a hypothetical aggregate building material, similar to concrete, formed from lunar regolith, that would cut the construction costs of building on the moon.
The production of lunar cement would be an energy-expensive process, estimated to require 2,200 kW h per megatonne. Thus there would need to be significant infrastructure in place before industrial scale production of lunarcrete could be possible.
Precast concrete
June 2, 2009 by blogtopia
Filed under Definitions
Precast concrete is a form of construction, where concrete is cast in a reusable mould or "form" which is then cured in a controlled environment, transported to the construction site and lifted into place. In contrast, standard concrete is poured into site specific forms and cured on site. Precast stone is distinguished from precast concrete by using a fine aggregate in the mixture so the final product approaches the appearance of naturally occurring rock or stone.
By producing precast concrete in a controlled environment (typically referred to as a precast plant), the precast concrete is afforded the opportunity to properly cure and be closely monitored by plant employees. Many states across the United States require a precast plant to be certified (either by APA, NPCA or PCI) for a precast producer to supply their product to a construction site sponsored by State and Federal DOTs. There are many different types of precast concrete forming systems for architectural applications, differing in size, function and cost.