The Properties of Concrete
Contents |
Introduction
As one of the world’s most abundant resources, concrete has worldwide appeal. It’s extremely versatile to use, as it produces a material similar to stone that allows for many uses. Not to be confused with cement, concrete is composed of a mixture of several materials and cement.
Concrete’s durability and versatility make it a material of choice, particularly useful due to low maintenance and repair costs. From commercial and residential buildings, bridges and roads, concrete is present in everyday life, sustaining complex and simple structures for safety and aesthetics.
In construction
Concrete has the ability to gain strength over time and to help conserve resources due to its capacity to remain a high-quality material with little to no need of reconstruction or maintenance. One of the most durable materials in existence, it resists rotting, burning, and rusting, providing a stable and safe foundation for high-rise buildings. It has double the lifespan of other construction materials, such as wood, allowing for long-term applications.
Due to its durability, concrete is used to build roads with fewer chances of potholes. With maintenance costs reduced, it helps to save on asphalt and to aid the environment. Concrete is a sustainable construction material, with more efficient travel due to not needing maintenance like other materials. Roads have less surface deflection that allow for vehicles to utilise less fuel, and they become easier to see at night.
In buildings, foundations and walls are sturdier and more durable. Long-term projects can contain both an aesthetically pleasing view and safe and long-lasting constructions. With concrete’s properties, construction and operational costs are lower. For residential buildings, the fire resistance allows for fewer accidents, more stability in case of natural disasters, and higher protection against the elements.
As concrete is rot resistant, it aids in the control of allergens; it helps to keep allergens such as pollen from entering the building, and it helps to regulate the temperature for better energy efficiency and reduced costs.
Benefits
As limestone is the main component in cement, which in turn is utilised to produce concrete, this material becomes very easy to make. Limestone is one of the most abundant materials found on Earth, providing an almost never-ending source. Silica fume and fly ash are other industrial waste by-products that are utilised to make concrete, originating from power plants and steel mills.
Concrete allows for highly efficient buildings, saving on both energy and costs due to its inherent thermal ability. This ability permits heat retention and absorption, which helps to conserve heat and cool houses in a more effective manner.
Related articles on Designing Buildings
- 3D concrete printer.
- Blocked concrete delivery pumps.
- Admixture, additive or agent.
- Admixtures in concrete.
- Alkali-silica reaction (ASR).
- Architectural concrete.
- Cellular concrete.
- Cement.
- Concrete.
- Concrete in aggressive ground (SD 1).
- Concrete vs. steel.
- Concreting plant.
- Curing.
- How to clean concrete.
- Laitance.
- Limecrete.
- Precast concrete.
- Prestressed concrete.
- Reinforced concrete.
- Stationary pump skills.
- Testing concrete.
- Urban mining to reinvent concrete.
- What will happen if we use too much rebar in concrete?
--Heritage Builders Ltd 12:13, 05 May 2017 (BST)
Featured articles and news
UK Infrastructure: A 10 Year Strategy. In brief with reactions
With the National Infrastructure and Service Transformation Authority (NISTA).
Ebenezer Howard: inventor of the garden city. Book review.
The Grenfell Tower fire, eight years on
A time to pause and reflect as Dubai tower block fire reported just before anniversary.
Airtightness Topic Guide BSRIA TG 27/2025
Explaining the basics of airtightness, what it is, why it's important, when it's required and how it's carried out.
Construction contract awards hit lowest point of 2025
Plummeting for second consecutive month, intensifying concerns for housing and infrastructure goals.
Understanding Mental Health in the Built Environment 2025
Examining the state of mental health in construction, shedding light on levels of stress, anxiety and depression.
The benefits of engaging with insulation manufacturers
When considering ground floor constructions.
Lighting Industry endorses Blueprint for Electrification
The Lighting Industry Association fully supports the ECA Blueprint as a timely, urgent call to action.
BSRIA Sentinel Clerk of Works Training Case Study
Strengthening expertise to enhance service delivery with integrated cutting-edge industry knowledge.
Impact report from the Supply Chain Sustainability School
Free sustainability skills, training and support delivered to thousands of UK companies to help cut carbon.
The Building Safety Forum at the Installershow 2025
With speakers confirmed for 24 June as part of Building Safety Week.
The UK’s largest air pollution campaign.
Future Homes Standard, now includes solar, but what else?
Will the new standard, due to in the Autumn, go far enough in terms of performance ?
BSRIA Briefing: Cleaner Air, Better tomorrow
A look back at issues relating to inside and outside air quality, discussed during the BSRIA briefing in 2023.
Restoring Abbotsford's hothouse
Bringing the writer Walter Scott's garden to life.
Reflections on the spending review with CIAT.
Retired firefighter cycles world to raise Grenfell funds
Leaving on 14 June 2025 Stephen will raise money for youth and schools through the Grenfell Foundation.
Key points for construction at a glance with industry reactions.