The Bay Area is home to a multitude of
construction and development projects that require the expert work of all the
contractors involved due to the variable conditions of each development site
and the challenges posed by a dense urban environment in a seismically active
region. These unique challenges mean Bay Area commercial concrete contractors need to continually innovate in concrete
technologies and services in order to create greater efficiencies and a
superior finished product. One such innovation, foam concrete, has a variety of
uses and benefits in the Bay Area.
Though it contains many of the same basic
materials as standard concrete, foam concrete, also called cellular concrete,
differs from standard concrete in several ways. It is less dense and replaces
traditional coarse aggregate with air bubbles created by foaming agents. While it may sound like the absence of solid aggregate would
decrease the strength and stability of foam concrete, the foaming agents and
admixtures ensure the entrained air bubbles are small and uniform in size and
placement and therefore create a durable lattice of cement and other foam
concrete mixture elements.
Where can foam concrete be used?
Foam concrete is versatile and can be placed on sites and in ways that
traditional concrete cannot achieve. It is not as heavy as standard concrete
and so can be used on projects that prohibit foundation treatments and it does
not require compaction after placement. Foam concrete is a cost-effectivesolution for large concrete projects due to the low cost of its component parts
and its easy pumpability which allows high volumes to be placed at a fast rate.
It is a useful material for filling voids or increasing the load-bearing
properties of the soft soil in parts of the Bay Area, for trench or bridge
embankment backfill, and various insulation purposes. Though foam concrete is
lightweight, it can be used in load-bearing applications when certain
admixtures, foaming agents, and mixing and pumping techniques are used that
ensure the air bubbles are stable and remain intact and isolated in the placed
concrete.
Conco is a leading supplier of concrete services for the Western United States. As one of the leading commercial concrete contractors in the Bay Area, we have been involved with large-scale projects in the area including the new 49ers Stadium. Our concrete services include commercial, educational, parking and other construction development as well as public works projects and highways.
