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