Whether you are building a house or a commercial building, you need to consider the construction materials that are available in the market. The main materials that are used for building structures include concrete, sand, cement, and other types of materials. There are also a number of methods that you can use to ensure the strength and durability of your construction.
Precast concrete
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Often used in commercial construction, precast concrete is cast in a factory rather than on site. This reduces the cost of construction as the site labour is not required. It also speeds up construction by allowing simultaneous trades.
Precast concrete building components are typically made of beams, foundations, and walls. These components are used in residential and commercial buildings. They are also used for sewerage and pipeline systems.
Most precast products are cast in a factory using wet-casting. This method consists of a water-cement ratio of 0.4 or higher. This allows the concrete to be moved from the factory to a construction site.
Precast concrete also comes in dry-casting. This type of concrete has no slump. However, the dry-casting process is quite expensive. This process also requires an expensive dry-casting machine.
Having a proper curing process is a key to quality. You must ensure that the product is protected from the sun, wind, and moisture. You should also ensure that the product is stored properly to prevent the different sizes of aggregate from separating during storage.
Eastern Pretech is a precast concrete manufacturing company with over 30 years of experience. Their two locations are located at 3 Eunos Avenue 8A and 2 Jalan Terusan. The company is a strong proponent of conserving the environment. The company also re-uses materials as much as possible.
The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Kimlun Corporation Berhad. Their projects have been known to deliver quality results. Their business portfolio also extends to the manufacture of thermoplastic piping.
The company is dedicated to producing high-quality products. Using state-of-the-art technology, they also provide specialist precast project services.
Lightweight concrete
Compared to conventional concrete, lightweight concrete has many benefits. It is lightweight, durable, insect-proof, and environmentally friendly. It is also very easy to work with and is used for both structural and architectural purposes. Lightweight concrete can be used for a variety of applications, such as walls, partitions, floors, roofs, and screeds.
The use of oil palm clinker (OPS) as a lightweight aggregate has been discussed since 1984. The use of OPS as a substitute for conventional coarse aggregate has potential to reduce the cost of concrete while providing superior performance in concrete structures.
A study done by Shafigh et al compared the properties of old OPS with those of fresh OPS. They found that a low water to cement ratio can improve bonding behavior of reinforced lightweight concrete. OPS is a byproduct of the palm oil industry and is used in the manufacture of concrete.
The use of OPS in lightweight concrete has been investigated in several studies. Some of these studies have focused on engineering properties, while others have focused on testing and comparing the performance of OPS to other lightweight concrete materials.
The research also looked at the feasibility of OPS in structural lightweight concrete. They tested six different concrete mixes with different amounts of hooked end steel fibers. All mixes were found to fall within the range of structural LWC.
X-ray micro-computed tomography was used to measure various properties. They found that the compressive strength of the specimen CD3 increased by 21.8%.
The use of OPS as a lightweight aggregate also has the potential to provide an environmentally friendly alternative to conventional concrete. It has the capability to help in mitigating the environmental impact of the construction industry while contributing to green building rating systems.
Admixtures
Adding admixtures to concrete is important to achieve a variety of concrete properties. These include strength, permeability, workability, and durability. Some concrete admixtures are liquid, while others are powdered.
Water-reducing admixtures are commonly used to provide compressive strength and placeability. They can also help position concrete in challenging environments. Some water-reducing additives combine with calcium chloride to achieve a particular strength level. These admixtures also improve the handling of concrete.
Concrete admixtures can also contain corrosion inhibitors to help prevent chlorides from corroding reinforcing steel. They can also be used to control pH and reduce permeability. Other chemicals are used to fine-tune specific properties.
Air-entraining admixtures include compounds that distribute air in small non-coalescing bubbles during mixing. They improve durability of concrete and increase its workability.
Retarding admixtures slow the chemical reaction of cement. Some are made from soluble carboxylic acids, starch, and sugars. Others are manufactured using chemical additives.
Water repellent is also added to the concrete to make it hydrophobic when it is set. This also helps reduce the impact of high temperatures on the concrete. Some concrete admixtures are also used to reduce the volume of the concrete, making it stable and excavatable in the future.
In addition to water-reducing admixtures, concrete admixtures can also contain silica fume to help improve hydraulic abrasion resistance. Some are made using macro fibers to increase toughness and fatigue resistance.
Master X-Seed STE admixture is an additive that helps concrete producers optimize cementitious content and improve late age strength development. This admixture has been successful in Europe and America since 2009. Its use allows concrete producers to expand their performance range while improving their concrete’s carbon footprint.
Waterproofing methods
Various waterproofing methods have been used for below-grade concrete structures. These methods vary in cost, application, and potential problems. These factors influence the quality of concrete structures. Choosing the right waterproofing method is essential for the design and construction of a watertight concrete structure.
There are two main types of waterproofing methods. The first is cementitious waterproofing. Cementitious waterproofing is a cement-based polymer coating that forms a microscopic barrier against water. This type of waterproofing material is most commonly used on car porches, balconies, and rooftops. It’s also relatively easy to apply.
The second type of waterproofing method is the negative side waterproofing design. This method is easier to install, and it may lower construction costs. This method is typically used on roofs and parking garages. It may also be used for residential apartment buildings.
A newly developed evaluation method has been developed to compare the performance of different waterproofing materials. The method is based on the measurement of relative humidity (RH) changes inside simulated concrete structure interior specimens.
A quantitative RH analysis apparatus was developed to compare different waterproofing conditions. This analysis is done on an average basis. The method was also adjusted to better simulate the below-grade structure environment.
The results of this study give insight into future humidity control with waterproofing material. The study also provides a baseline for selecting the right waterproofing material. Moreover, the study provides information on future research on the prevention of mold growth, cost efficiency analysis based on electricity usage, and evaluation of various materials commonly used in underground concrete structures.
The study was conducted at SMI Cityhomes Sdn Bhd, a company that developed a new business hub. The company had difficulties in selecting a waterproofing system. They wanted a waterproofing system that would be long-lasting and reliable. The company decided to go with the Krystol concrete waterproofing system. The system provides developers with a long-lasting, permanent water-resistant barrier for concrete structures. It also provides developers with the peace of mind that their concrete will not deteriorate over time.
YTL Cement
YTL Cement is a leading manufacturer of cement, building materials, and related construction products in Malaysia and Singapore. It is a subsidiary of YTL Corporation, an infrastructure conglomerate based in Malaysia. It is part of the FTSE Bursa Malaysia Mid 70 Index. The company is headquartered in Kuala Lumpur. It has operations in Singapore and China.
YTL Cement has over 70 batching plants in Malaysia and Singapore. It operates two world-class integrated cement plants in Pahang, as well as an integrated cement plant in Hangzhou, China. It also has a clinker grinding plant in Klang, Malaysia. It also has additional operations in other countries. It has received numerous awards and recognitions for its achievements.
YTL Cement Berhad is an investment holding company that is listed on the Main Market of Bursa Malaysia. Its total assets are RM77.0 billion. As of December 2019, its listed entities had paid RM23 billion in dividends.
YTL Cement has the largest cement plant in Peninsular Malaysia. It is also the largest cement manufacturer in Malaysia. Its ready-mix concrete business is the second largest in Malaysia. Its total annual production capacity is 25.1 million MT. It operates a total of 700 cement trucks. It is also a member of the World Cement Association. The company has a commitment to climate change.
Malayan Cement has agreed to acquire YTL Cement’s cement operations in concrete Malaysia. The acquisition will allow Malayan Cement to consolidate its existing cement and ready-mix concrete businesses. The deal is expected to help reduce administrative costs and improve governance. The company will also benefit from shared resources and expertise.
Malayan Cement will also be able to leverage on its parent’s expertise in the cement industry. The company’s total annual debt is RM3.7 billion. Its borrowings are mainly term loans, sukuk, and revolving credits. Its DE ratio is 0.65x.
