2024 Author: Howard Calhoun | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:16
Among all existing building materials, any concrete stands out for its versatility. But it is achieved mainly due to the presence of a very extensive list of concretes, each of which is ideally suited for certain tasks. One of these types is architectural concrete.
Definition
Architectural concrete - what is it? This material refers to building mixtures based on sand and cement. Various inorganic and mineral substances can be used as additives. It is used primarily to create decorative elements (statues or decorations on buildings), but in some cases it can also be used in the manufacture of structural parts of buildings. Architectural concrete is also called polymer, acrylic, decorative or artistic. These are all synonyms.
Varieties
Depending on the composition and other features of architectural concrete, it is divided into three basic varieties:
- Sculptural concrete.
- Decorative concrete.
- Geometric concrete.
For the first optioncharacterized by the presence of both decorative and constructive properties, which allows it to be used to create bas-reliefs, sculptures or overlays in the style of "wild stone". All these elements are required to combine both extensive handcrafting capabilities and high strength of the final structure.
The second, decorative type of architectural concrete is used when it is necessary to give decorative properties to ready-made structural elements. For example, it is with its help that they usually decorate the internal and external parts of buildings. In this case, high plasticity and a large number of opportunities for the designer's work come first.
The last, geometric variety, is used mostly to create buildings or parts of them. In this case, strength and other features related specifically to construction are more important than decoration, however, due to its properties, this type of concrete allows you to give buildings unique features and appearance, which would be much more difficult (or even impossible) to achieve in another way.
Composition and features
The technology used for architectural concrete, as mentioned above, directly depends on the selected composition. If the emphasis is on structural properties, then the material receives higher strength, resistance to damage, increased resistance to water, and so on. Much has to do with what is required at the moment, in what conditions the building will be after completionconstruction and for what purposes to be used. In the case of decorative properties, most often they place more emphasis on the texture or texture of the material.
To make the substance more plastic, plasticizers, polymers, mineral or chemical additives are added to the mixture. If necessary, to obtain more serious reinforcing properties, sand, gravel, tuff or limestone are added. Among other things, in the manufacture of architectural concrete, substances can be used to increase resistance to low temperatures, hardeners, sealants and other similar additives, of which there are a huge number. But to give purely decorative properties, rocks, mica, quartzite, bas alt, particles of marble or granite are usually mixed in. Sometimes colored glass or ceramic chips are used. And of course, dyes are actively used if the final product needs to be given some non-standard color.
General features of the material:
- does not slip;
- easy to launder;
- excellent sound absorption;
- has damage protection;
- does not interact with the sun's rays;
- withstands rain, wind, snow and other similar external influences;
- retains its properties at temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees;
- light weight;
- hardens between 14 and 28 days;
- does not pass gases and chlorides.
All of these properties are found in almost any kind of architectural concrete, and other features are already added to them if necessary. For example, if a product made of such a material is supposed to be installed at too high or low temperatures, then with the help of additives the range of properties can be shifted in one direction or another.
Surface treatment
Depending on the variety of architectural concrete, products made from it are subjected to different processing methods.
Sculpted Concrete:
- Hand painted.
- Modeling.
- Engraving.
- Machining.
Geometric concrete:
- Machine polished and sanded.
- Sandblasting.
- Acid exposure.
- Treatment by fire.
Decorative concrete is mainly processed by imposing on its surface all kinds of elements made from a variety of materials. All of them imitate natural elements.
Outer protective coating
Architectural concrete is usually covered with a special coating that increases its protection from various factors.
- Protection from drawings prevents vandals from spoiling the appearance of the product.
- Protection against grease, dust and dirt keeps the design looking perfect.
- Water repellent coating for longer life.
- Decorative layer to improve the appearance of the product.
Features of this or that protective coating directly depend on the type of concrete and the conditions in whichthe structure will be in operation. For example, a statue located in an inaccessible place, on the shore of a reservoir, is likely to receive protection from water, but not from drawing.
Results
Architectural concrete as such appeared relatively recently, about 50 years ago. Since then, it has been actively used in different countries both for construction and for creating decorative elements. This material cannot be called cheap, but most of the costs are not spent on the building mixture itself, but on the work of designers, artists, decorators, architects and everyone who gives this or that product the final look.
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