For those in construction, it’s likely that, if they had to
list off some of their most used materials while on the job, concrete would be
somewhere near the top. We’ve all seen concrete in action somewhere as we go
about our daily lives, whether it be a concrete wall or towering building. As
ubiquitous as it is beneficial, concrete has become one of the most common
building materials used today, allowing us to continually innovate the
construction industry and build ever bigger and eye-catching structures.
First invented and perfected by the Romans, lost to time,
then thankfully rediscovered again centuries later, our use of concrete has
grown to such an extent that it is now the second most consumed material in the
world, just behind water, which is funnily enough one of concrete’s main
ingredients.
This relatively simple idea of mixing sand and stone with
water and a binding agent to create a paste has had far-reaching benefits to
communities across the world, yet, it’s sometimes seen as a bit of an unsung
hero and doesn’t quite get the kudos that it most definitely deserves.
As suppliers of quality concrete solutions for clients
throughout Scotland, we’re fascinated about how this simple material has
changed the construction industry. With this in mind, we decided to take a
deeper look into how concrete was discovered, its benefits and what the future
holds for this wonder material.
A brief history of concrete
While concrete has cemented itself (excuse the pun) as one
of the key components to modern construction, you may be surprised to learn
that it has been used in one way or another for thousands of years. During an
archaeological dig in Israel in 1985, the team working on the site discovered a
lime concrete floor that was carbon dated to around 7,000 B.C.E, making it the
earliest recorded use of the material for construction.
However, it would seem that the use of concrete didn’t fully
catch on around this time as the first documented use of concrete would appear
thousands of years later during the Egyptian era. It was here that
civilizations of antiquity began to realise concrete’s myriad benefits. The
Greeks took to using simplistic cementitious material to cover buildings and
walls with; a prime example of the Greek use of concrete can be found at the
Palace of Tiryns, where the floors are made from the material.
Yet, like many things the Greeks tried, the Romans came
along and co-opted cement for their own ends and actually became masters of the
craft, creating concrete structures that still stand to this day. What made
Roman concrete so strong was the addition of volcanic ash, which minimised
cracking. Both the Pantheon in Rome and Hadrian’s Wall here in the UK are
primary examples of Roman concrete at work.
Losing and regaining the knowledge
Sadly, after the fall of the Roman Empire, the recipe for
creating quality concrete was lost to time with a variety of other innovations
that came to epitomize classical civilization. This led to a period of decline
known as the Dark Ages and medieval period. Without concrete, many structures
were small and crude in comparison to the mighty structures of antiquity. Of
course, there were alternatives, such as the oyster shell lime-based ‘tabby’
but none came close to the strength and durability of Roman concrete.
It wouldn’t be until the industrial age that we would see
concrete used in any significant way, however, with its rediscovery,
construction progressed leaps and bounds. The first reintroduction of quality
cement can be attributed to John Smeaton who, in 1759, discovered the recipe
and used it as mortar for the now famous ‘Third Eddystone Lighthouse’.
However, it would be Joseph Aspdin and his creation of the
iconic Portland Cement in 1824 that would finally bring concrete back into the
limelight. Named after the stones found on Portland island off the coast of
Dorset, Aspdin’s discovery soon became an essential building component and is
still the most commonly used concrete product around the world today.
What exactly are the
benefits
of concrete?
As one of the most commonly used materials used today,
concrete offers a host of benefits for modern construction.
Economical
In comparison to other structural materials, such as steel
and polymers, concrete is actually quite cheap. As the main ingredients are
cement, water and aggregates, there’s not anything particularly expensive being
used, helping to keep costs low on the large-scale projects we see today.
Hardens at ambient temperatures
Concrete has made such an impact in the construction
industry partly due to the fact that it can harden from its paste-from into a
solid structure at ambient or room temperature. This, along with the addition
of admixture if required, allows for construction in a variety of environments
irrespective of weather conditions.
Shaped to requirements
Arguably the greatest benefit of using concrete is that it
offers a superior level of malleability for construction projects, which are
becoming increasingly common in the modern industry. In its liquid state,
concrete can be poured and formed into the desired shape, allowing for complex
yet durable designs that would otherwise be extremely difficult to create.
Excellent water resistance
Unlike other materials such as wood and steel which
deteriorate over time when coming into consistent contact with water, concrete,
on the other hand, is much more durable, being able to withstand water without
any serious deterioration. This makes it especially useful for underwater
applications such as dams, pipelines and submerged buildings.
Facing the challenges of concrete production
While concrete is hugely important for modern construction
that doesn’t mean that it has challenges that it faces and the opportunity for
innovation to create ever more efficient and durable buildings. For example,
one of the biggest issues that comes with concrete production is the strain it
puts on the environment. This means that suppliers are looking for ways to ensure
the concrete is both reused and wastage kept at a minimum.
The way this has been currently tackled is for suppliers to offer aggregates
made up of recycled concrete, ensuring that the material is put back to good
use and the introduction of volumetric concrete services which ensure that the
perfect amount is used for each job, reducing wastage. In the future, we can
expect to see more efficient production techniques which will invariably lower
the industry’s carbon footprint.
Invest in quality concrete for your next
project with WM Thompson & Sons
Nearly every construction project will require some form of
concrete at some point, which is why it’s so important to ensure that you’re
investing in quality. At WM Thompson & Sons, we understand how important this
amazing material is for the construction industry, which is why we offer our
customers both ready-mix and volumetric concrete throughout Glasgow and the
surrounding areas.
With our fleet of concrete trucks at the ready, we are more
than prepared to efficiently provide customers throughout the region with any
between 1 to 10 cubic metres of wet concrete and screed, making us one of
Glasgow’s top suppliers.
As every project is different, we understand
that you require specifics to keep costs low and to reduce wastage. With this
in mind, why not get in touch with our team today on 01389 762271 to discuss
your requirements or
visit our website
to learn more about the
various services we have available.
