There are many different ways that concrete is used in construction. It can be found in everything from small houses to large, multistory buildings.
Concrete is even used in infrastructure projects such as bridges and highways. Here are some of the most common projects that make use of concrete.
Foundations
For most buildings, including residential houses, concrete serves as the foundation. If your home sits on a slab, that slab is made from concrete.
The reason concrete is typically used is because of its durability and the fact that it withstands many of the factors that destroyed wooden foundations. For example, concrete will not burn, nor can it be destroyed by termites.
Concrete can also be used to create footings. These footings hold the structures of tall buildings in place. Again, concrete is useful here because of its strength.
Basements
Basements are often made out of concrete in order to provide protection from storms and other disasters.
The concrete also helps insulate the basement from the ground around it, although it won’t provide as much insulation as other insulating materials such as fiberglass.
The walls of basements are typically made out of reinforced concrete in order to prevent collapse. Once completed, a basement can provide a large amount of extra storage, workspace, or even living space.
Walls
Concrete call be used for more than just floors and basement walls. It can actually be used for any wall, although typically multi-story buildings don’t have concrete walls for every floor due to the weight.
Instead, concrete walls are ideal for the first floor because of the strength they provide. They are also good in areas where hurricanes, tornadoes, and high winds often occur. Concrete walls must be poured using special forms or molds.
Concrete is also ideal for retaining walls, outdoor dividing walls, and garden walls.
Parking Lots and Garages
Of course, most people are familiar with concrete parking garages or parking lots. This is one of the most common ways of using concrete in construction.
While streets are typically made from asphalt, parking garages and lots are typically made from concrete because of the aesthetics.
Concrete also reflects lights better than asphalt, making the lots safer and reducing the number of lights needed.
Highways and Bridges
That’s not to say that streets cannot be made from concrete. Highways are often made from concrete because of its reflective properties. This also makes it ideal for streets that are not lit by streetlights.
Bridges, too, are made from concrete because of its durability and the fact that it can hold a large amount of weight.
Sidewalks
Sidewalks, of course, are also often made out of concrete. Again, the durability of concrete makes it perfect for this use.
While sidewalks typically don’t need to support the same amount of weight that streets do, they still need to be made from a material that will last for years. Concrete is that material.
Decorative Planters, Benches, Etc.
One of the last parts of a construction project is adding the decorative touches and other items. This is another place where you see concrete construction use.
Concrete forms can be used to create planters, bowls, benches, and much more. When many people think of concrete, they think of flat surfaces or rectangular structures, but by using forms, concrete can be poured into any shape.
Stenciling, dying, and other techniques can be used to add designs and color to the concrete, adding aesthetic touches to a project.