Types of Concrete in Civil Engineering

In this civil engineering article, you will get details about different types of concrete utilized in construction works.

Normal concrete: It is commonly used.

Lightweight concrete: With the inclusion of coarse light aggregate (extended clay aggregate), the insulating properties become superior and it can reduce strength as well as weight.

Aerated concrete: It is a type of lightweight concrete. Irrespective of aggregate, aerated concrete comprises of bubbles, which are developed through a chemical process and further enhance the quality of the insulation.

Heavy concrete: Specifically, heavy aggregate (e.g. barite, iron ore, steel granulate etc.) having high dry unit weight. Mainly applied for radiation protection.

Ultra high performance concrete (UHPC): In this type of cement, furnace cement is utilized in place of Portland cement. It has extreme strength and good stability. It facilitates lean design, cost savings and economic usage.

Water-impermeable concrete: It is the type of Concrete that contains a strong water-resistant capacity against water penetration. It is mainly utilized to seal some portions of the in the ground.

Waterproof concrete: It has similarity with water-impermeable concrete, inclusion of barriers.

Self-compacting concrete : In this type of concrete, plasticiser is included, no extra compacting is required, thinly pored surface and complex geometries.

Also Read: How to estimate different types of concrete work

Translucent concrete: Glass optical fibres are provided in the fine concrete. They create specific patterns, based on their density and structure, and cause the concrete to become translucent.

Refractory concrete: Resists temperatures ranging from 500 to 2000 °C

Recycled concrete: With the help of recycled materials, the aggregate is produced (e.g. building rubble).

Concrete screed: It contains small aggregate size to retain thin layers. It is specifically suitable for producing floor layers.

Pre-stressed concrete: Steel reinforcement is pre-stretched, which produces a strong compressive stress. The properties of concrete are utilized in a superior way to form more organized building parts. The stiffness resists major deflection even with large spans.

Textile concrete: It stands for a composite material containing low thickness and stgrong resistance capacity against compression and deflection. There are flexible forms through specific reinforcing materials.

Fibre concrete: Fibres are produced from plastic, glass fibre, carbon, natural fibres or similar.

Self-cleaning concrete: The surface is prepared with photo catalytically effective metal oxides or sulphides. The characteristics like the self-cleansing, pollutant disintegrating effect is obtained by light.

Besides, the surface should be super-hydrophobe (water repellent) or super-hydrophile (water-attractive).