Building & Construction Practice Test: Cement Concrete Construction — Flashcards

Concrete is a basic construction material that's made up of a paste and aggregates. The paste is made of water and portland cement, which coats the surface of the aggregates. The chemical reaction of hydration hardens the paste and forms concrete. 

Concrete should have the following properties:
Workability: The concrete mix should be easy to place and consolidate
Strength: Concrete should be resistant to wear, freezing, thawing, and water tightness 

Here are some other things to consider when working with concrete:
Reinforced concrete
This is one of the most common materials used in construction. Steel rods, wire, or cables are embedded in the concrete to strengthen its structure and help it withstand strong forces like earthquakes.
Lightweight concrete
This concrete has improved insulation, thermal properties, and a reduced mass. It can still maintain strength and durability during construction.
Fiber-reinforced polymers (FRPs)
These are commonly used to strengthen concrete structures because they are lightweight, strong, and durable.
Precast concrete
This is a popular method used in construction. It's easy to use for small retaining walls, highway barriers, and wide commercial spaces.
Prestressed concrete
This type of concrete is tightly compacted during manufacture to reinforce it against tensile pressures that will occur in service. 

Concrete should also be able to withstand heavy loads. Concrete test results depend on the cement strength, water-cement ratio, and concrete quality. 

Cement Concrete Construction topics include: Cement concrete properties, steel corrosion in concrete, proportioning and curing concrete, water cement ratio, concrete types and joints.