Concrete is something that is used around the world for all types of construction. It is the most used resource next to water. There are many reasons behind it, but the main reason behind its global popularity is that the materials that are needed for making a concrete mix are very easily available. It is cement, sand and aggregate. All of this in various ratios depending upon the need, and combined with water is all it takes. Concrete is no doubt, highly versatile. It can be altered and used to meet various construction needs. For instance, concrete floor screeds( also known as self-levelling), Concrete Foundation and so much more. Different concrete mix designs are meant to serve different uses and can be altered further if required. From foundations to roofs, an entire home or a building can be built using concrete.
Concrete Foundations
There are a few different types of Concrete Foundations that are currently used. Foundation types as well as concrete design mixes largely depend on the area of construction. The most common of these is the slab on grade.
Slab On Grade Foundation–
Grade meaning ground level. These concrete slabs are cured at factory settings and delivered to construction sites as opposed to pouring concrete. These slabs tend to be thicker at their edges and are placed on top of gravel at ground level. Gravel is first levelled and compressed to give an even surface for Concrete Foundation. A concrete slab is then placed on top of the gravel. Reinforced rods and wire mesh and used to ensure it is secure and so it does not crack. This is mostly suitable for areas with low groundwater content and soil that does not move over time. In the case of highly reactive soils, certain chemicals and such are added to resist it.
Footings –
This type of Concrete Foundation also known as isolated/single column foundation, is used in cases of especially tricky and unstable subsoils. These footings are ‘T’- Shaped concrete structures. The flat sides of these are called footings and the longer section is called a column. It may be said that these footings are added to column foundations. The number of footings per site varies according to the structure that is being constructed.
Wall Footings –
This is a subtype of Footing Concrete Foundation. This foundation type also has footings but with walls instead of columns like the one mentioned above.
Pile Foundations –
This is another, Concrete Foundation that is set much deeper in the ground than the above mentioned. These piles are actually cylindrical structures such as steel frames that are filled with concrete. But this may not always be the case. The materials used for this may differ accoridng to location as well as structure. A subtype of pile foundation is often used in making of skyscrapers. Especially as in cities, often there is no sufficient space available for wide spread foundations and as pile Concrete Foundation goes deep into the ground and stabilizes the building this is a preferred method.
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