Reactive Powder Concrete (RPC), which
is also known as Ultra-High Performance Concrete (UHPC), is a combination of
portland cement, silica fume, quartz flour, fine silica sand, high-range water
reducer, water, and optional additives. The
Portland Cement Association explains that reactive powder concrete is “extremely
workable, durable and yields ultra-high strengths without using coarse
aggregates. Reaching compressive strengths of 30,000 pounds per square inch
(psi), this new-age concrete also has tensile strength with the inclusion of
steel and synthetic fibers.” The micro structure of RPC is optimized by
precise graduation of all particles in the mix to give it maximum density.
Fiber reinforced concrete (FRC), a
type of reinforced concrete that uses a fibrous substance to increase
structural strength, durability and ductility, is a subject of new research and
developments. In FRC, short, discrete
fibers are uniformly distributed and randomly oriented to provide a kind of
three-dimensional stability and include fibers made of steel, glass and synthetic
or natural material. Depending on which
material is used, they offer varying properties and characteristics.
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.
The Conco Companies have owned and operated
one of the largest concrete pumping companies in the United States for over 40
years. To remain a leader, we continue
to invest in new concrete pumps to provide customers one of the most modern,
state-of-the-art operations on the West Coast.
Tilt-up construction, also known as
tilt-slab or tilt-wall, is a construction technique in which concrete wall
panels are cast-on-site and tilted into place.
It was first used in America around 1905, and patented in 1908 by Robert
Akin during the concrete construction of the Schindler House in West Hollywood,
CA.
The Conco Companies have expanded our operations
over the last several years, and as a result, we are always looking for
talented individuals to join our team. One
of our current postings is for several qualified, full-time Project Managers
for our Southern California locations.
Slump is the measure of the
consistency in a specific batch of fresh concrete. A slump test accesses the consistency of the fresh
concrete, and to ensure that the correct amount of water has been added to the
mix.
