The History and Benefits of Concrete

Rome wasn’t built in a day, but it was built with the first form of concrete. Romans discovered that the ash from a supervolcano, The Phlegraean Fields, would harden when mixed with water. This created a material capable of building structures like never seen before. Cities all around Rome were being built equipped with bridges, tunnels, roads and things that wouldn’t have been possible without concrete. One of those structures, the Roman Colosseum, has withstood the test of time for centuries  — all thanks to the concrete and stone used to build the historical amphitheater. 

The Components of Concrete

Since we don’t have access to volcanic ash, concrete in this part of the world is made up of a completely different set of materials. But the end result is still as strong and reliable as the Romans. The makeup of concrete is often mistaken for cement, which is simply a material found in concrete. Understanding what goes into making concrete will give you a better understanding of how some of the most important structures around the world, from the Panama Canal to the Willis Tower, were built. 

Aggregate

The largest component of modern concrete is the aggregate. Aggregate consists of coarse and fine sand, stone, gravel, old recycled concrete, crushed rock, or similar matter. These materials account for roughly 60-75 percent of the concrete mix. 

Water

Nothing fancy here, just some high-quality H2o. Water is typically between 15-20 percent of a concrete mix. 

Cement

Aggregate and water are not enough to form a strong bond and create modern concrete. This is where cement comes in. Cement consists of calcium, aluminum, iron, silicon, and other ingredients. This combination is the glue that holds the aggregate together, hardening over time. You will often hear this component referred to as Portland cement. It makes up 10-15 percent of the mixture. 

These three elements are blended together to form a thick paste when mixed together. The mixture is tossed around in a large mixing drum until it is ready to be poured. The concrete is then sent down the discharge chute to form sidewalks, driveways, parking lots, foundations, floors, and much more. 

The Benefits of Concrete: Durable, Versatile, Sustainable

When creating any kind of structure that people will be utilizing on an everyday basis, from parking lots to pedestrian sidewalks, concrete offers a lot of beneficial qualities for construction workers. Concrete can be used in a variety of ways and all projects benefit from the durability, versatility, and sustainability that concrete provides. 

Durability 

Cement gets stronger as it ages. This means concrete surfaces can maintain heavy loads without cracking or breaking under pressure. The long term maintenance requirements and costs are significantly less than the alternatives. Roads built with concrete are much more likely to survive winter without developing potholes because they are more durable than the common alternative of using asphalt. 

Versatile

From the mixture of the components to the way it is poured and formed — concrete is one of the most versatile artificial materials to build with. Simply adjusting the amount of water or cement can change the dynamic and strength of the finished product. You can pour foundations, floors, parking lots, walls, and just about anything else by using concrete. Add rebar to reinforce the concrete, adding to its durability and versatility. 

Sustainable

Concrete is known as the most popular artificial material in the world. Concrete can be recycled for future projects leading to less waste during projects. It can also be broken up into different materials, such as gravel. Properly poured and treated concrete can happily last for decades. 

Get Started On Your Commercial Concrete Project

While we don’t have access to volcanic ash, we pour concrete structures with precision that will last for decades. If you are ready to start a commercial concrete project, get in touch with Jordison Construction. With over 40 years of dedicated experience in the Des Moines area, you will feel great knowing you are working with central Iowa’s leading commercial concrete contractor. Call us today to begin your project.