Concrete

Imagine what the world would be like without concrete: there'd be no high-rises, no grand irrigation projects, no lettuce from southern climes in the winter, no multi-lane highways crisscrossing continents, a shortage of electricity, more mud in some places, more solitude in others. But because of the fossil fuels and other resources required to make concrete, there also would be less CO2 in the atmosphere and less dramatic climate change. In Concrete: From Ancient Origins to a Problematic Future, Soderstrom tells the story of concrete's glorious past, extravagant present, and uncertain future with careful research, lively anecdotes, and thoughtful reflection. The framework for this exploration is one the Romans--famous for concrete structures that are still strong--would understand: the four elements of Earth, Fire, Water, and Air. "[For] those of us who are thinking about, and educating for, deep cultural change, . . . for those of us that care about what it means to be good, in the deepest sense; to participants in an earth-system that is failing at human hands, in the context of recognizing the repercussions of the Anthropocene." --Laura Sewall, author of Sight and Sensibility: The Ecopsychology of Perception

In the sixties, architecture fell in love with concrete. Architecture has since shifted its fondness to glass and steel, and concrete buildings have fallen out of favor and into disrepair. But they represent an exciting era of faith in architecture and technical innovation that has yet to be documented.Concrete Torontoacts as a guidebook to the city's extensive concrete heritage. Architects, journalists, professors, concrete experts, and even the original architects use a wealth of new and archival photos, drawings, interviews, articles, and case studies to celebrate Toronto's concrete past.

Lea's Chemistry of Cement and Concrete deals with the chemical and physical properties of cements and concretes and their relation to the practical problems that arise in manufacture and use. As such it is addressed not only to the chemist and those concerned with the science and technology of silicate materials, but also to those interested in the use of concrete in building and civil engineering construction. Much attention is given to the suitability of materials, to the conditions under which concrete can excel and those where it may deteriorate and to the precautionary or remedial measures that can be adopted. First published in 1935, this is the fourth edition and the first to appear since the death of Sir Frederick Lea, the original author. Over the life of the first three editions, this book has become the authority on its subject. The fourth edition is edited by Professor Peter C. Hewlett, Director of the British Board of Agrement and visiting Industrial Professor in the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of Dundee. Professor Hewlett has brought together a distinguished body of international contributors to produce an edition which is a worthy successor to the previous editions.

Whilst most structures made using concrete and cement-based composites have not shown signs of premature degradation, there have been notable exceptions. In addition, there is increasing pressure for new structures to remain in serviceable condition for long periods with only minimal maintenance before being recycled. All these factors have highlighted the issues of what affects the durability of these materials in different circumstances and how material properties can be measured and improved. Durability of concrete and cement composites summarises key research on these important topics. After an introductory chapter, the book reviews the pore structure and chemistry of cement-based materials, providing the foundation for understanding the particular aspects of degradation which are discussed in the following chapters. These include dimensional stability and cracking processes, chemical and microbiological degradation of concrete, corrosion of reinforcing and prestressing steels, deterioration associated with certain aggregates, effects of frost and problems involving fibre-reinforced and polymer-cement composites. With its distinguished international team of contributors, Durability of concrete and cement composites is a standard reference for all those concerned with improving the service life of structures using these materials. Analyses a range of materials such as reinforced steel in concrete, pre-stressed concrete and cement composites Discusses key degradation phenomena such as cracking processes and the impact of cold weather conditions A standard reference for those concerned with improving the service life of structures using concrete and cement based composites

Concrete is the most used man-made material in the world and is the fundamental physical medium for most of the world’s architecture and construction. The character of concrete is largely the product of the rigid moulds that have shaped it since its invention in antiquity. The advent of flexible moulds, however, marks a radical break from conventional practice – and conventional concrete architecture. The Fabric Formwork Book provides the first comprehensive handbook on the emerging technology of flexible moulds for reinforced concrete architecture. Written by the foremost expert in the field, this book takes a comprehensive and generous approach that includes technical, historical and theoretical aspects of the subject. The book: concentrates on simple flat-sheet formworks contains detailed technical descriptions of how to construct a wide range of formworks for various applications features case studies from around the world critiques the difficulties and advantages in each case it covers provides instruction and guidance on how to model and design fabric-formed structures includes the most comprehensive history of fabric formwork yet published features essays from guest expert authors, which explore the theoretical, historical, and poetic significance of flexibly formed architecture and structures discusses fabric formwork as an exemplary approach to sustainable construction through its simplicity and efficiency. Beautifully designed and illustrated with a superb range of images, diagrams and technical drawings, the book both informs and inspires. Speaking directly and plainly to professionals, students and academics, the language used is both clear and precise, and care is taken to avoid opaque technical or academic jargon. Technical terms, when used, are clearly described and a special glossary is included to make the book as widely accessible as possible.

Science and Technology of Concrete Admixtures presents admixtures from both a theoretical and practical point-of-view. The authors emphasize key concepts that can be used to better understand the working mechanisms of these products by presenting a concise overview on the fundamental behavior of Portland cement and hydraulic binders as well as their chemical admixtures, also discussing recent effects in concrete in terms of rheology, mechanics, durability, and sustainability, but never forgetting the fundamental role played by the water/binder ratio and proper curing in concrete technology. Part One presents basic knowledge on Portland cement and concrete, while Part Two deals with the chemical and physical background needed to better understand what admixtures are chemically, and through which mechanism they modify the properties of the fresh and hardened concrete. Subsequent sections present discussions on admixtures technology and two particular types of concrete, self-consolidating and ultra-high strength concretes, with final remarks on their future. Combines the knowledge of two leading authors to present both the scientific and technology of admixtures Explains what admixtures are from a chemical point-of-view and illustrates by which mechanisms they modify the properties of fresh and hardened concrete Presents a fundamental, practical, and innovative reference book on the topic Contains three detailed appendices that can be used to learn how to use admixtures more efficiently

Sulfate Attack on Concrete provides a comprehensive reference to this important subject. It covers: a short history of concrete deterioration due to sulfate attack, the origin of sulfates in concrete, the importance of appropriate concrete processing, forms and physical-chemical mechanisms of concrete deterioration due to sulfates, preventative mea