Concrete: Its Benefits And Disadvantages

Concrete. It is such a universal material, but many people still do not know anything about it. So here is the rundown of its usage in construction.

The benefits of concrete are countless. Concrete is widely known as being extremely durable, which makes it applicable to many environments. It can sustain constant pressure in structures, which gives a durability that is unrivaled. Adding on, concrete structures are able to last thousands of years. But its most important feature is its versatility. From sidewalks to warehouse walls to floors, nearly everything can be made with concrete. This universality makes concrete the supreme material for construction, as there is not another material that can reach such levels.

However, it still has its drawbacks. Oftentimes, concrete needs to be reinforced often. When it comes to large structures such as warehouses, it may need to be reinforced with steel rods to sustain such pressure. These reinforcement measures may often be costly, and are also unsustainable. Also, concrete can prove dangerous if it is installed incorrectly. Concrete’s composition is a main factor in its integrity, so if a building is made with faulty concrete even in the slightest amount, the strength of a building is jeopardized. Along the topic of its integrity is its sensitivity to cracking. If the concrete cracks in the slightest, which is every common, the integrity of the concrete surrounding the crack can be destabilized, which can endanger the building as a whole. Also, water can seep into small cracks, and create larger crevices that can devastate the building.

Concrete is not going away any time soon. But civil engineers must find ways to implement concrete in a way that maximizes efficiency, sustainability, and most importantly, stability.