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A single concrete block, as used for construction. Concrete is a composite material composed of aggregate bonded together with a fluid cement that cures to a solid over time. Concrete is the second-most-used substance in the world after water, [1] and is the most widely used building material. [2]
Papercrete is a building material that consists of re-pulped paper fiber combined with Portland cement or clay, as well as other soils. First patented in 1928 by Eric Patterson and Mike McCain [1] (who originally named it "padobe" and "fibrous cement"), it was revived during the 1980s. It is generally perceived as an environmentally friendly ...
Concrete has a total embodied energy of 1.69 GJ/tonne, lower per unit mass than most common building materials besides wood. However, concrete structures often have high masses, so this comparison is not always directly relevant to decision making. Additionally, this value is based only on mix proportions of up to 20% fly ash.
Concrete is the most widely used material in existence and is behind only water as the planet's most-consumed resource. [ 2 ] Cements used in construction are usually inorganic , often lime - or calcium silicate -based, and are either hydraulic or less commonly non-hydraulic , depending on the ability of the cement to set in the presence of ...
Studies show that back-building and remounting plans for building units (i.e., re-use of pre-fabricated concrete) is an alternative for a kind of construction which protects resources and saves energy. Especially long-living, durable, energy-intensive building materials, such as concrete, can be kept in the life-cycle longer through recycling.
Building papers and membranes are used for many reasons in construction. One of the oldest building papers is red rosin paper which was known to be in use before 1850 and was used as an underlayment in exterior walls, roofs, and floors and for protecting a jobsite during construction.
Gypsum concrete is a building material used as a floor underlay [45] used in wood-frame and concrete construction for fire ratings, [45] sound reduction, [45] radiant heating, [46] and floor leveling. It is a mixture of gypsum, Portland cement, and sand. [45] One of its advantages is the lightweight nature.
Like other concrete formwork, the forms are filled with concrete in 1-foot to 4-foot high "lifts" to manage the concrete pressure and reduce the risk of blowouts. After the concrete has cured, the forms are left in place permanently to provide a variety of benefits, depending on materials used: Thermal insulation; Soundproofing