Time and Cost-saving Trends in Concrete Construction

At The Conco Companies, we make it a point to stay up-to-date on the latest concrete news and innovations, and implement new ideas and technologies designed to save our customers time and money as well as to create a better finished product.  Some emerging trends in concrete that are changing concrete design and construction include high strength / high performance concrete (HSC/HPC); self-consolidating concrete (SCC); fiber reinforced concrete (FRC) polymer modified concrete (PMC); high volume flyash concrete (HVFC); reactive powder concrete (RPC); and self-healing concrete / bacterial concrete.  

Innovations in precast concrete, which is produced by casting concrete in a reusable mold or "form" and cured in a controlled environment before being transported to the jobsite include  the manufacturing of ultralite panels using Carbon Cast.  This precast concrete technology uses carbon-fiber grid reinforcing to create panels that weigh less and result in reduced shipping, erection and substructure costs. 

The Portland Cement Association cites the new P.O.S.T. (Prestressed Open Space Truss) as providing a “solution for long-spans, while maintaining the shallow floor depth of a flat plate system.”  They say the system works well for hotel and condominium applications, especially for those constructed with lower level parking. 

The National Ready Mix Concrete Association states that self-consolidating concrete is another time and labor saver as it “pumps easier, fills complex shapes, produces pristine finishes and encapsulates congested reinforcement.”  They explain that the two important properties specific to SCC in its plastic state are its flowability and stability.  This is typically accomplished by using high-range water-reducing admixtures, not by adding more water.   

Insulated Concrete Form (ICF) walls are also increasingly becoming a popular option in residential and commercial markets and offer the advantage of fast construction, energy savings and increased durability.  The walls provide occupants not only a quieter environment but a safer one as studies show improved “results for resistance to catastrophic loadings, including fire, wind, and tornados.”    

Conco’s mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western United States and to bring expertise, experience and quality to each project.  We continue to upgrade and expand facilities to better serve the growing market for public works projects, commercial, parking structures, educational, and other construction development. We serve California, Washington State, Oregon, Colorado and Nevada.

Sources:

slideshare.net/sabnisajit/an-overview-of-emerging-trends-in-construction-technologies

cement.org/designaids/emerging-trends