Addressing key differences in mix design When designing concrete mixes for bridges and other structures, project engineers have multiple options—including choosing between traditional, normal weight concrete (NWC) or structural lightweight concrete (SLC) with aggregate meeting ASTM C330, Standard Specification for Lightweight Aggregates for Structural Concrete performance. Depending on a project’s goals, SLC can create stronger, more resilient and cost-effective structures.…
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How Concrete Density Can Impact Seismic Design
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…
Read MoreDelivering 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…
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