Wow, what are we thinking? A page of Fun Facts about a
lifeless, colorless material such as concrete? Are we crazy?
lifeless, colorless material such as concrete? Are we crazy?
THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN CONCRETE AND CEMENT?
The two names are often used interchangeably. But they are quite different.
Cement is seldom used on its own. It's a powdery substance made from elements derived from limestone. Cement is used to make its cousin, concrete. When you mix under high pressure cement with gravel and sand and water, viola! Concrete! This is a highly durable substance, the most common material used in construction!
The two names are often used interchangeably. But they are quite different.
Cement is seldom used on its own. It's a powdery substance made from elements derived from limestone. Cement is used to make its cousin, concrete. When you mix under high pressure cement with gravel and sand and water, viola! Concrete! This is a highly durable substance, the most common material used in construction!
IT'S BEEN AROUND LONGER THAN PEANUT BUTTER & BASEBALL!
Our ancient ancestors created a sort of crude cement by crushing and then burning gypsum or limestone. They found that adding sand and water to this limestone concoction, a mortar was formed. And this mortar was used as a holding paste between stones. Over the next thousands, adding a dab of this and a dab of that, concrete as we know it today was formed.
Our ancient ancestors created a sort of crude cement by crushing and then burning gypsum or limestone. They found that adding sand and water to this limestone concoction, a mortar was formed. And this mortar was used as a holding paste between stones. Over the next thousands, adding a dab of this and a dab of that, concrete as we know it today was formed.
CONCRETE IS THE WINNER!
Concrete lasts far longer than cement. Yes, when adding gravel and sand, cement morphs into concrete and suddenly becomes much stronger and its durability is far greater.
Concrete lasts far longer than cement. Yes, when adding gravel and sand, cement morphs into concrete and suddenly becomes much stronger and its durability is far greater.
BUT CEMENT IS IRREPLACEABLE
While concrete is used to build larger construction projects and structures, it takes second place to cement when it comes to those smaller projects. Cement is a smoother material perfect for the smaller jobs such as grout between your tile or specialized masonry. It's also ideal for filling in those cracks in concrete.
While concrete is used to build larger construction projects and structures, it takes second place to cement when it comes to those smaller projects. Cement is a smoother material perfect for the smaller jobs such as grout between your tile or specialized masonry. It's also ideal for filling in those cracks in concrete.
WE'RE TALKING ELEPHANT-WEIGHT HERE!
Concrete is extremely dense and so it packs on the pounds! One cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,000 pounds. That's two tons! Two tons in just one cubic yard! And when you fill a truck with concrete, that can easily total of 66,000 lbs. Can you imagine the gas mileage we get in route to one job?
Concrete is extremely dense and so it packs on the pounds! One cubic yard of concrete weighs about 4,000 pounds. That's two tons! Two tons in just one cubic yard! And when you fill a truck with concrete, that can easily total of 66,000 lbs. Can you imagine the gas mileage we get in route to one job?
IT HELPED US WIN THE WAR!
Who knows; if not for concrete we might all be speaking German.
Near the beginning of World War II concrete was used to give us an early warning of enemy aircraft approaching. That was before we had radar. These acoustic concrete mirrors provided "ears" that helped the British detect German aircraft. They were able to pick up sound waves, giving the ground forces critical advance warning to assume defensive positions. Concrete spoiled what could have been devastating German surprise attacks. Thanks concrete!
Who knows; if not for concrete we might all be speaking German.
Near the beginning of World War II concrete was used to give us an early warning of enemy aircraft approaching. That was before we had radar. These acoustic concrete mirrors provided "ears" that helped the British detect German aircraft. They were able to pick up sound waves, giving the ground forces critical advance warning to assume defensive positions. Concrete spoiled what could have been devastating German surprise attacks. Thanks concrete!