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Characteristics

  • Concrete is a cementitious material consisting of a hard, chemically inert particulate substance known as aggregate, and bonded together by cement and water.

  • Concrete has high plasticity and is amorphous by nature.

  • It releases heat during the curing process and shrinks slightly.

  • Concrete also strengthens over time and is extremely durable and heavy.

  • Resists water, rotting, and fire.

  • Low in cost.

Source & Production

  • Concrete is made up of cement, water, and aggregate.

  • The aggregate is commonly crushed up stone or gravel, and its type/size varies depending on the end-use of the concrete.  

  • Portland Cement (the most common cement used) is made of limestone, silica, and alumina which is ground together into a fine powder.

  • After the minerals are mixed together into a paste, an admixture (usually entrained air) is added to improve the performance of the final product.

  • Curing: as the concrete hardens it is continuously sprayed with water to ensure proper strength and durability.

  • Can be delivered to the worksite either in trucks in its fluid form and poured in place at the site, or it can be precast which is brought in as large slabs or specific shapes.  

Environmental Impact

  • Cons:

    • Concrete produces carbon dioxide emissions when fossil fuels are burned during the firing process that produces concrete.

    • A lot of water is needed to properly clean aggregate.​

    • Uncured concrete is caustic, or harsh.

    • Concrete has little or no potential to be recycled.

  • Pros:

    • Fly ash, a by-product from coal-fired electrical generating plants, and other by-products can be used in the production of concrete.​

    • The light color of concrete makes it a great exterior surface because of its ability to reflect light and heat.

    • Concrete is very durable.

    • It can be recycled as aggregate.

Maintenance

  • Concrete is very easy to maintain.

  • The best way to prevent concrete from soaking up water and staining, it should be sealed with acrylic resin or a penetrating sealer every 2-10 years.

  • Wipe away spills quickly to avoid them from soaking in.

  • Concrete floors can be mopped with a synthetic detergent. 

  • Avoid cleaning concrete with soap because it reacts with the lime that is in concrete.

  • Applying a sealer to certain concrete applications such as countertops will make it easier to maintain.

Concrete

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Applications

Countertops | Ceilings | Accessories | Walls

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Ruth Baker

Concrete Countertops

  • Concrete is very commonly applied to countertops in a variety of different ways.

  • Like other applications, the concrete can be natural or polished, as well as pigmented to be specific colors.

  • Countertops must be sealed to make them non-porous, and heat/stain resistant.

  • Color, finish, edge profile, shape, and texture can be fully customized.

  • Can be poured into a mold at the worksite, or can be brought in as precast slabs (depends on dimensions)

  • ASTM Standards:

Concrete Walls

  • Concrete can be applied to walls for structural and decorative applications.

  • When walls are structurally constructed with concrete, they may use CMUs or Concrete Masonry Units. Here, they are typically covered by a stud wall or furring strips and vapor barrier for gypsum board, plaster, or paint.

  • Commercial buildings have been constructed with exposed concrete, demonstrating Brutalist style. Today, these exposed concrete walls can be texture, colored, or even produced through 3D printing.

  • Exposed concrete walls can be sealed with acrylic sealer, paint, or polish. They can also be stamped with a texture or pre-dyed or stained before solidifying. 

  • ASTM Standards:

    • ASTM E2634 - 18 Standard Specification for Flat Wall Insulating Concrete Form (ICF) Systems​

    • ASTM C90 - 16a Standard Specification for Loadbearing Concrete Masonry Units

    • ASTM C129 - 17 Standard Specification for Nonloadbearing Concrete Masonry Units

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Lauren Brahm

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Michelle Dooge

Concrete Ceilings

  • A finish coat is required such as skim coating (thin layer of plaster or drywall applied to help with paint or added texture).

  • Based on the weight it has to support, the thickness is between 5 and 6 inches with a straight edge profile.

  • A variety of textures can be created depending on  preference such as smooth, popcorn, sand swirl, and Spanish knife.

  • ASTM standards:

    • ​C779 / C779M - 19: Standard Test Method for Abrasion Resistance of Horizontal Concrete Surfaces

    • C403 / C403M - 16: Standard Test Method for Time of Setting of Concrete Mixtures by Penetration Resistance

  • Organizations:

    • American Concrete Institute​

    • American Society of Concrete Contractors

Concrete Accessories

  • Concrete is becoming an option for producing different types of household accessories and fixtures. 

  • Moldings are what drive the different shapes and ideas behind fixtures and also furniture. With the many different molds, a designer is able to have a variety of options when it comes to what shape they are looking for. 

  • Depending on what the fixture is used for, like other things concrete is used for, it should be sealed to help with durability and longevity.

  • ASTM:

    • C825 - 19 Standard Specification for Precast Concrete Barriers​

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Rachael Neitzel

Resources

  • Walls by Lauren Brahm

  • Ceilings by Michelle Dooge

    • Dezeen - Tea House, China

    • Dezeen - residence in Kato Kifissia, Greece

    • Dezeen - UF Haus, Germany

    • Dezeen - A Forest House, Ecuador

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