Mastic is a form of sealant or adhesive used to fill the joints or as a bond for different materials and gaps. It is an elastic and flexible material used to create a durable bond between two different surfaces or to protect a particular surface. This article discusses the features of mastic sealants in the […]
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Concrete discoloration is simply the change of the designated color of concrete. This could be due to the presence of calcium chloride in concrete, cement and additives, improper curing, environmental conditions, and faulty finishing works. Discoloration can be minimized by reducing the effect of the factors mentioned above. However, if a contractor encounters dark spots, strips, […]
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Foundation heave is the upward movement of the expansive soil layer after it is saturated with water. Controlling the signs and symptoms of foundation heave at an early stage is important to prevent further enlargement of heave pressure and avoid serious damage to the foundation and superstructure. Common signs of foundation heave are cracked and […]
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China has achieved yet another architectural feat by unveiling one of the world’s most twisted towers called the ‘Dance of Light.’ Located in the Xingfu Plaza in the Jiangbei district of Chongqing (a megacity in the interior of western China) and designed by the architectural firm Aedas, the 180-meter skyscraper has a “twisting angle” of […]
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As per ACI 116R-00, “No-slump concrete is a freshly mixed concrete that exhibits a slump of less than 25 mm”. Constituent materials of this type of concrete are similar to that of conventional concrete with the only difference being that no-slump concrete contains a greater quantity of aggregate. The mix design of no-slump concrete should […]
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Ultra-lightweight concrete, which is also known as super lightweight concrete or infra-lightweight concrete, is a state-of-the-art concrete in terms of density and insulation properties and classifies as concrete with a dry density lesser than 800 Kg/m3. This density is the minimum limit for lightweight concrete according to the definition in standard EN 206-1. Ultra-lightweight concrete […]
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Any admixture that improves the workability of concrete is advantageous for enhancing the pumpability of concrete. Various chemical admixtures like air-entraining admixture, high-range water-reducing admixture, and finely divided admixture have been utilized to improve concrete pumpability. The choice of the type of chemical admixture and its utilization in concrete depends on the mixture’s characteristics. Using […]
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Internal curing is a technique that extends the hydration of Portland cement without increasing the initial water-cementitious material ratio. The technique involves employing water stored in the saturated lightweight aggregate or superabsorbent polymer to cure concrete and help further with the hydration of cement. The lightweight aggregate is saturated before batching to absorb water in […]
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Nowadays, controlling traffic noise has become an important criterion in the design and construction of transportation infrastructure. The noise pollution due to vehicular movements can be minimized through the construction of noise barriers or low-noise concrete pavement, with the latter being the most efficient method. Several techniques have been developed to reduce noise pollution, but […]
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Energy Performance Certificates (EPCs) are certificates that represent energy efficiency of buildings based on a rating from A (very efficient) to G (inefficient). The rating denotes the cost incurred for heating and lighting the property and the extent of carbon dioxide emissions. The need for EPCs is emphasized in the Energy Performance of Buildings (England […]
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Foundation heave is an upward movement of the foundation due to soaked expansive soil. The factors that lead to the saturation of soil beneath a foundation are seasonal changes in moisture, underground aquifer, or leakage in underground pipes. It is stated that financial losses due to heaving in the United States are larger than those […]
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