In today’s article, we will be tackling about how heavy the concrete is.
Do you ever think about how heavy concrete could be? A hard, strong concrete that stands still to protect you from danger from the outside? Fortunately, there is an answer to that. It involves mathematical and scientific explanation. To understand more, let’s define each one by one.
What is Concrete?
Basically, concrete is made up of fine sand, cement, aggregates (there are many kinds of concrete and its differences are because of what aggregate is being mixed up. So, there are many kinds of aggregates), and water. This is commonly used as slabs, pavements. Wall, floor, or anything that can be found in your construction.
How much does it weigh?
Well, honestly, there is no specific weight of concrete. Concrete’s weight determines by several factors such as its form, how many is it, and its capacity measure.
Mathematically, concrete weighs for about 3,500 pounds up to 3,900 pounds per its measured capacity. This particular weight only involves the normal type of concrete. Weight may vary depending on its kind.
Factors that can change a concrete’s weight:
There are some factors that should be considered in knowing concrete’s weight. It involves its form, its element, and its kind.
Concrete form
A wet concrete is heavier rather than a dry concrete. Why? Because the water that is present on wet concrete and is absent on dry concrete makes the concrete much heavy. To explain further, a powdered form concrete and a concrete that is already applied and dried weighs the same. When the water is added to the mixture, making it in a paste-like form, it becomes heavier. That is because of the weight of the water combined with the weight of the concrete. However, when the water starts to evaporate resulting in moisture, the water now leaves the concrete making it weigh lighter again.
Element that is present on the mixture
As I have said a while ago, a concrete has different kinds depending on the aggregates used. For a lightweight concrete, it may be lighter for it has different aggregates used. Also, water is another element that is present in the mixture. The more water used, the heavier the concrete gets.
Kind of Concrete
There are many kinds of concrete. Some have steel in it making it tension resistant but also making it heavier. I have an example here. Mostly, these three kinds are commonly used at any construction.
Lightweight concrete weighs lighter than the other concrete that you can found. This concrete is not advisable to be used on buildings and pavements. This can be applied to retouching, though.
Ordinary concrete weights up to 3,900 pounds per capacity measure. It is commonly used for pavements and floors.
Reinforced concrete weighs a lot much heavy rather than the two mentioned above. Because of its steel, it becomes much heavy. Reinforced concrete is commonly used for strengthening the walls making it resistant for any tension such as earthquakes.
Now, that is all the basic things that you need to know. In the end, all concrete weighs differently. That is why it is important to ask the manufacturer first.