Portland is the name used by Joseph Aspdin, a bricklayer in the English city of Leeds who patented his own highly successful cement blend back in 1824. Portland cement was harder and stronger than previous mixes. Though his original version has changed over the years, the name remains. Modern Cements Ordinary Portland cement (OPC) is manufactured by […]
Category: Science of Concrete
Advantages Of Using Blended Cement
Blended cement comes from a mix of OPC (Ordinary Portland cement) with additives such as fly ash, slag or silica fumes. These mineral admixtures result in cement that’s now widely considered superior to common cement. Usage of blended concrete mix provides advantages in two important ways: technical and environmental. Technical Advantages Smoother: It provides a […]
Top 10 Facts about Dry Cast Concrete
Many people don’t realize that concrete is not a fairly modern material, but was in use thousands of years ago. Builders learned that the best way to create durable concrete structures was keeping water-to-cement ratios low. Today this admixture is known as dry cast concrete – still one of the best construction alternatives. Here are 10 facts […]
What Makes Concrete A Sustainable Building Material?
Concrete is an eco-friendly building material at every stage of its use – from raw materials to eventual demolition of old structures. It’s a sound choice for all kinds of commercial and residential construction. Concrete is a sustainable building resource for many reasons. Efficient Resources Limestone is one of the primary ingredients in cement, and also the […]
What Does PSI Have To Do With Concrete?
Concrete comes in several different types with varying levels of strengths, compositions and applications. Compression testing is used to determine concrete strength, which is measured by PSI (pounds per square inch). Regular concrete has a PSI range of between 2,500 and 5,000. The PSI of engineered exceeds 10,000. By The Numbers Contractors use 2,500 PSI […]
Concrete Containment System Keeps Environment Safer
Protecting drinking water from pollution is why most jurisdictions require companies have a containment plan in case fuel or other hazardous liquids leak from a storage tank. Part of a plan can include a concrete containment system as a secondary containment system. These systems are essentially a concrete pan that sits under storage tanks. The […]
Bullet Resistant Precast Concrete to Guard U.S. Grid
The threat of terrorism in the United States has grown to include isolated targets where bullet resistant precast concrete can be of use. The electrical power infrastructure, responsible for routing the nation’s electric supply is typically guarded by chain link fences. One substation was targeted in California in 2013 which brought the threat to the […]
How to Mix Concrete
No matter what kind of concrete you’re using, odds are you have to mix it up first. The secret to mixing concrete, no matter how you choose to do it, is to always mix up more than you think you will need. Always make sure you wear a particle mask to keep from breathing in […]
What Is Aerated Concrete?
Precast autoclaved aerated concrete (AAC) is made with quartzite silica, sand, water, lime, cement, anhydrite and an expansion agent that makes the mixture rise like bread dough. This type of concrete contains 80% air. During installation, these cured blocks or panels of aerated concrete are joined with thin bed mortar. At Del Zotto Products of […]
All About Building Concrete Homes
Traditionally, most homes have been built from brick or wood. However, there’s no denying the appeal of concrete homes in residential construction. In recent years, total shares of concrete homes surpassed 15 percent in the U.S. and Canada. So what is it that makes these homes so appealing? Del Zotto Products manufactures precast forms for […]
Concrete Curing: What is It?
All precasters know that concrete isn’t dried; it’s cured. But what does concrete curing mean, and what does it entail? The answers to those questions aren’t always clear. At Del Zotto Products, we produce high-quality steel forms for precast, dry cast and ready-mix concrete. Whatever project you’re working on, we have the forms for you. […]
Build Greener with Concrete
In recent years, there’s been a surge in the trend of building greener. People everywhere are concerned with building sustainable, environmentally friendly structures that are as beneficial to the planet as they are durable. Most people do not realize that concrete is their best bet when it comes to building greener. If you’re unconvinced that […]