What Type of Concrete is Most Suitable For Your Construction Project?

Altering the components or ratio of components in concrete will yield concrete batches with vastly different qualities. Leveraging this can help commercial or domestic users obtain the perfect concrete for their construction project.

At Total Concrete, we tailor our concrete batches to the needs of each client. Learn about the different types of concrete used in construction to discover the perfect batch for your needs. 

Why is concrete a popular construction material?

Concrete is one of the strongest materials and only gets stronger over time. With a long lifespan and little maintenance requirements, concrete is ideal for all types of construction projects.

The full list of advantages of concrete in construction include:

• Low production costs
• Offers heat retention and absorption
• Produces reliably sturdy structures
• Fire resistant
• Low maintenance requirements
• Offers stability against natural disasters
• Offers protection against the elements
• Rot resistant

Types of concrete used in construction

Ordinary concrete

Ordinary concrete is a traditional mix combining concrete, sand and aggregate in a 1:2:4 ratio. Ordinary concrete is typically used for pavements and other structures that do not require high tensile strength. 

Reinforced concrete

Commonly known as rebar, the tensile strength of reinforced concrete is bolstered by the help of wires, steel rods or cables. These additions make the concrete highly resistant to compressive forces. Reinforced concrete is commonly used for building bridges, buildings and roads.

Lightweight concrete

Lightweight concrete is classified as concrete with a density under 1920kg/m³. This low density allows the concrete to flow easily, which makes it easy to pour and apply. It also offers low thermal conductivity. Lightweight concrete is typically used for the construction of long-span bridge decks and building blocks. 

High-density concrete

At the other end of the spectrum is high-density concrete, which typically has a density over 3000kg/m³. While its high density makes the concrete harder to mix and pour, it possesses a key quality: radiation resistance. Consequently, high-density concrete is used in atomic plants.

Air-entrained concrete

Air-entrained concrete contains microscopic air bubbles that allow water to expand when freezing, relieving the internal pressure of the concrete. Entraining the air is achieved by adding foaming agents such as alcohols, fatty acids and resins during the mixing process. Air-entrained concrete is typically used for freeze-thaw resistance.

Rapid hardening concrete

As the name suggests, rapid-hardening concrete is quick to set and is resistant to low temperatures. This makes it ideal for use in cold settings and for projects with a short duration time.

Ready-mix concrete

Ready-mix concrete is prepared in a plant offsite and transported on site for immediate use. Unlike other types of concrete on this list, ready-mix concrete refers to the method of preparation rather than a particular batch with specific qualities. Ready-mix is usually tailored to the client’s needs, and so can take the form of various different types of concrete. This, combined with its ease of use, makes ready-mix concrete a convenient choice for commercial or domestic applications.

Volumetric concrete

Volumetric concrete utilises special trucks known as volumetric mobile mixers. These carry the concrete ingredients to be mixed on site as needed. Volumetric concrete is the ideal solution for obtaining large volumes of concrete without having to constantly travel to and from the batch plant. It also makes it more convenient when more than one type of concrete is required. Volumetric concrete is typically used on large commercial projects and multi-projects where different types of concrete are needed.

Total Concrete is a leading supplier of high-quality concrete mixes tailored to your requirements. Serving domestic and commercial customers across Guildford, Surrey, Berkshire, Hampshire and the surrounding areas, we provide a range of concrete mixes and services to help you with your construction project. Choose ready-mix or volumetric concrete for the most convenient service in your local area — delivered fast by Total Concrete.

Make a booking online or contact our team for more information.