Types of Concrete

Building pillars made of concrete

What Type of Concrete Should I Use?

Concrete has been a building material of incalculable value throughout history. The Romans used it for constructing everything from the viaducts that carried fresh water into their cities to the seaports all around the Mediterranean. These days, it is a far more sophisticated building tool. There are numerous varieties of this material

Types of concrete

There is a wide variety of types to choose from, with the best option depending on your unique needs.

  • Pervious – Also called porous or permeable, this construction material allows water from runoff and other sources to pass directly through it. The result is less water retained uselessly above ground and more sent to the underground aquifers.
  • SSC – Self-consolidating concrete is an extremely fluid mix with several distinctive practical features. In particular, it will flow freely around form work, around corners, and is essentially self-leveling.
  • Gunnite / Shotcrete – Typically sprayed pneumatically onto surfaces at a high velocity, gunnite is a type that could be best described as a “modeling clay” type. Offering a smoother surface because of its low aggregate content, it is the ideal choice for people trying to finish their swimming pools.
  • High-strength – This is the product of choice when you need to place the material in depths greater than two inches. It is ideal for such applications as fence posts, curbs, ramps, and foundations. It is also the first choice for structural applications that necessitates only a small amount.
  • Flexural strength – When a load is applied to a cement beam that is supported by two separated beams, there are a number of disparate forces applied to it. The most important is flexural stress. This type is highly resistant to this bending force.
  • High early – This mix is intended to hydrate faster and to set sooner, both which confer major benefits to your construction efforts. Unfortunately, the same characteristics that make it desirable will also lead to increased shrinkage and significantly more cracking. Only experienced construction technicians should use this product.
  • EPS – Expanded polystyrene is a form of high-grade variety known for its light weight. It is made from a composite of cement and expanded polystyrene, hence its name. It is a popular material often uses in environmentally-sensitive or “green” homes.

For more specific information on the best type of concrete to meet your construction needs, please contact us at Best Concrete Mix Corp. You can contact us online or reach us directly at 718-539-5946.