Concrete provides considerable compressive strength and, if reinforced properly, can withstand flexure and shear caused by seismic activity. But, in seismic design, too much of a good thing can in some cases be detrimental. For concrete, a higher strength can contribute to brittleness. Brittle structures often perform less than optimally during seismic events. While there are several approaches to improve…
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Delivering Long-term Resilience with Internally Cured Concrete
So much depends on concrete’s durability yet early-age cracking is a common and damaging issue structures face. These cracks expose internal steel reinforcement to chemicals and elements, accelerating corrosion and jeopardizing a concrete component’s structural integrity and service life. Factors like surface drying and environmental stressors like temperature can increase the risk of early-age cracking. Carefully considering the mix design…
Read MoreBuilding Better, Lighter, Stronger: We Have the Technology
Since the 1950s, the construction industry in the United States has reaped the benefits of using precast, prestressed concrete. These products increase installation efficiencies, provide ideal curing conditions for better concrete, and standardize measurements through mass production. However, because precast, prestressed concrete must be shipped to the jobsite, it can contribute to higher transportation costs. In addition, it comes with…
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