Welcome to my new blog! My name is Connor and this my concrete blog. Concrete may seem like a pretty boring subject. But it is only boring if you do not understand the incredible possibilities. When the interior designer I was working with suggested that I install some concrete inside my home I thought he was crazy. I thought concrete was only used for the floor of your garage, your carport or for a patio area. However, when I saw the possibilities that polished concrete offered me in terms of looks and functionality, I was sold! I hope you like my blog.
Why Choose Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete For Your Warehouse
If you're building a new warehouse or refurbishing an older one, you may have heard that concrete flooring is the best choice. While that's true, you don't have to settle for the most basic concrete available. Shrinkage-compensating concrete is a special type of cement that's great for warehouses for a number of reasons. Here's all you need to know before you contact your preferred contractor.
What is Shrinkage-Compensating Concrete?
Shrinkage-compensating concrete is a type of a concrete with an added expansive component which, unsurprisingly, makes the concrete expand as it cures. When this concrete is restrained by steel reinforcements, it produces a compressive stress (which refers to strain caused by a compressing, shortening force) during the wet curing stage. Later, as the concrete dries, the compressive stress will be reduced by the shrinkage. This is different to normal concrete, which can produce tensile stress (which refers to strain caused by elongating tension) when it cures, leading to cracks in the concrete. Another difference between shrinkage-compensating concrete and conventional concrete is that the former has far few joints.
Why is it Ideal for Warehouses?
In an industrial setting like a warehouse, a strong and durable floor is essential for numerous reasons, and shrinkage-compensating concrete is one of the best choices for strength and durability. The concrete's high compressive strength means it's much better at handling the strain of heavy warehouse machinery like forklifts without buckling under the pressure. In turn, it's also kinder on the machinery itself. Over time, joints can curl and spall, damaging forklifts as they travel over them. As shrinkage-compensating concrete has less joints, it does less damage to your heavy equipment. This can also reduce employee injuries if your machinery doesn't have shock absorbers. The other benefit of having less joints is that your floor will need less maintenance over time. All the above factors also mean your floor will be able to handle the heavy impact and abrasion it's likely to face during the day to day running of your warehouse without cracking quickly, making shrinkage-compensating safer and cheaper for your company.
How Can You Get It?
If you like the sound of shrinkage-compensation concrete, get in touch with a reputable concrete contractor with experience in warehouse building. These professionals will be able to guide you on your choice and incorporate the concrete into the overall design and construction of a new warehouse or the refurbishment of an existing one.