Next Generation Cement (NGC) consists of a blend of Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC) and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs), such as flyash or slag, that react with water to produce new compounds that are stronger than OPC. The use of SCMs in manufacturing NGC can result in decreased energy use, greenhouse gas emissions and costs, while providing the same performance as OPC-based concrete.
NGC is not just a product — it is also a process. The processes used to manufacture NGC are different than those used to manufacture OPC. In fact, they are usually more energy efficient and produce less CO2 per ton of NGC produced than the production process for OPC.
Concrete is a versatile substance that has been around for centuries. It’s usefulness cannot be understated and is utilized in the construction of many buildings, infrastructure, bridges and roads. Concrete is made mostly of sand, cement and water. Cement, a key ingredient in the concrete mix acts as a glue that holds it all together.
There are different types of cements, such as Portland Cement, Oil Well Cement, and Pool Cement. Each kind is used for specific purposes depending on its strength and durability. The most common type of cement used in construction is reinforced cement concrete (RCC). RCC is a combination of traditional cement with reinforcing materials such as rebar or wire mesh.
The reinforcing material provides stability to the overall structure by preventing cracks from forming in the concrete. RCC is widely used in construction because of its unique properties that provide protection against natural disasters such as earthquakes and hurricanes. It’s also fire-resistant and durable enough to withstand extreme temperatures (hot or cold).
Concrete is the most widely used man-made product in existence. It is second only to water as the most consumed substance on earth. But what is concrete, and how does it form? Concrete is basically a mixture of aggregates and paste. The aggregates are sand and gravel or crushed stone; the paste is water and cement. Portland cement is not a brand name, but the generic term for the type of cement used in virtually all concrete, just as stainless is a type of steel and sterling a type of silver. Cement comprises from 10 to 15 percent of the concrete mix, by volume. Through a process called hydration, the cement and water harden and bind the aggregates into a rocklike mass. This hardening process continues for years, which is why concrete gets stronger as it gets older.
Concrete has been around for thousands of years. Some researchers believe that concrete was first used by ancient people living in Jordan, Lebanon, Syria and Palestine about 6500 BC. They found evidence that these people may have accidentally discovered that limestone reacted with oil and salt to form a natural cement! Later on they realized that by mixing ash with lime they could produce mortar.
The use of reinforced cement concrete (RCC) as a building material has been increasing at a tremendous rate in the last decade. The reasons for this can be attributed to the fact that concrete is relatively cheap, versatile and has high compressive strength. On the other hand, concrete is weak in tension and its lateral tensile strength is only about 10 percent of its compressive strength. Reinforced concrete overcomes this limitation by using steel bars or mesh to reinforce the concrete.
The advantages of reinforced concrete are many:
* It is a cost-effective building material with excellent durability and fire resistance properties.
* The major ingredient used in its production is cement, which has an abundance of availability worldwide.
* Due to its excellent compressive strength, it can be used in load bearing structures which would otherwise have required stone or brick masonry.
* It can be molded into any shape thus allowing for architectural freedom and aesthetics.
Reinforced concrete construction is the most widely used construction method in the world today. Its popularity is due to its versatility and economy. The use of reinforced concrete provides solutions to many problems associated with other materials, such as steel and timber, whilst being an economic solution to providing a durable structure.
The material has high strength and stiffness in all structural directions, giving it excellent structural efficiency and also making it suitable for a large variety of structural forms.
Reinforced concrete is also resistant to fire and many chemicals, which gives it a great life cycle performance.
Reinforced concrete can be precast or cast in situ, which provides flexibility for designing practically any architectural form. Its aesthetic qualities are therefore easily achieved within its functionality.
Modernism has relied heavily on reinforced concrete as the primary framing material for their buildings, but this seems to be changing as more architects are looking towards sustainable methods of building construction.
There are a number of advantages to using Pervious Concrete as a pavement material. These include:
Reduced Stormwater Runoff: Pervious concrete reduces stormwater runoff by allowing water to pass through the pavement and back into the ground. This recharge of groundwater helps reduce flooding and relieves stress on local drainage systems.
Lower Stormwater Treatment Costs: The permeability of pervious concrete allows stormwater to be naturally filtered through the pavement and subbase, reducing the need for additional stormwater management areas and associated costs.
Reduced Ice/Snow Removal: In cold climates, the ability for pervious concrete to freeze and thaw without damage allows snow to be left in place until it melts naturally. This results in lower maintenance costs and reduced salt usage.
Cooler Surface Temperatures: The dark color of pervious concrete absorbs less sunlight than traditional pavements, resulting in cooler surface temperatures for pedestrians and vehicles.
Stronger Pavement: The increased strength of pervious concrete compared to asphalt results in better durability and longer pavement life with less maintenance required.
Water Quality Benefits: By allowing stormwater infiltration, pervious concrete can help reduce contaminants associated with conventional pavement by improving water quality before it reaches natural waterways or drainage structures.
Reinforced Cement Concrete is a modern construction material which possesses properties like durability and flexibility. The reinforced concrete structures are used in various types of buildings, bridges, water tanks, foundations etc.
The concrete is used in different forms based on the type of construction and use. The common types of concrete are as follows:
Plain Concrete
Reinforced Concrete
Prestressed Concrete
Plain Cement Concrete
Plain cement concrete is composed of cement, sand, coarse aggregate and water. It does not contain steel reinforcement. Plain concrete is majorly used for non-load bearing slabs, roofs and floors where tensile stresses are not encountered. In plain concrete the compressive strength varies from 10 MPa to 40 MPa. The ratio of materials in plain cement concrete varies from 1:3:6 to 1:4:8 for M10 grade to M40 grade respectively.