Innovative Concrete Techniques Meet the Challenges of Modern Society
Concrete is one of the most popular construction materials in the world. Its uses range from the tallest buildings to infrastructure that needs to stand up to centuries of extreme weather. Today’s modern concrete is made with Portland cement, high quality aggregate and innovative products and additives to make it stronger and more durable. New products, manufacturing methods and research are enhancing concrete to meet the challenges of modern society. Bendable concrete, smog eating concrete and carbon capture are just a few examples of innovations improving a product that is nearly 5,000 years old.
What kind of solution is concrete?
Using Innovative Concrete Techniques, architects are able to produce concrete surfaces with a variety of designs and colors that would not be possible using traditional methods. One of these techniques involves applying a retarder to the surface of the formwork, which causes the concrete to shrink slightly on contact with air. By carefully varying the amount of retarder applied, a concrete manufacturer can achieve a wide range of textured concrete finishes.
Other innovative concrete techniques focus on reducing waste and energy. For example, fly ash beneficiation and geopolymer concretes are making concrete more sustainable by decreasing CO2 emissions and improving its strength and durability. These new materials will also help meet growing demand for low-cost, high-performance concretes that can withstand climate change.
Other eco-friendly innovations include self-healing concrete. By embedding shape memory alloys, such as nickel-titanium wires, in concrete, it becomes possible to create structures that can autonomously repair cracks. Microorganisms or encapsulated healing agents become active when cracks occur and repair the concrete, extending its lifespan and minimizing maintenance costs over time.