Concrete as a construction material

What Is Concrete Used For?

• Construction Material

Art Work

Concrete Bench made by 8th grade students

Question

• What other concrete products and applications can you think of ?

Why Is Concrete Used?

• Economics– Inexpensive, readily available

• Material Properties– Long Lasting– Molded into a desired shape– Great insulator– Hard

Material Properties (cont.)

• Great Compressive Strength (up to 8000 psi)

• Poor Tensile Strength (almost 0)– Reinforcement methods ($)

Question

• What is the difference between tension and compression?

Question

• Why would concrete ever be used in tension?

Why Do We Reinforce Concrete?

• Prevent cracking due to tension forces

How Do We Reinforce Concrete?• Steel rebar

– Excellent in tension, poor in compression

• Chicken Wire– Minimize thermal expansion

Pictures

• Failed concrete structures due to earth quakes