Among all existing building materials, any concrete stands out for its versatility. But it is achieved mainly due to the presence of a very extensive list of concrete, each of which is ideal for certain tasks. One of these types is architectural concrete.
Definition
Architectural concrete - what is it? This material refers to building mixtures based on sand and cement. As additives, various inorganic and mineral substances can be used. It is primarily used to create decorative elements (statues or decorations on buildings), but in some cases it can also be used in the manufacture of structural parts of structures. Architectural concrete is also called polymer, acrylic, decorative or artistic. All these are synonyms.
Varieties
Depending on the composition and other features of architectural concrete, it is divided into three basic varieties:
- Sculptural concrete.
- Decorative concrete.
- Geometric concrete.
The first option is characterized by the presence of both decorative and structural properties, which allows you to use it to create bas-reliefs, sculptures or overlays in the style of "wild stone". All these elements are required to combine both extensive opportunities for manual work and high strength of the final structure.
The second, decorative look of architectural concrete, is used if necessary to give ready-made structural elements decorative properties. For example, it is with its help that the internal and external parts of buildings are usually decorated. In this case, high plasticity and a large number of opportunities for the work of the designer come first.
The latter, a geometric variety, is used for the most part to create buildings or parts of them. In this case, strength and other features related specifically to construction are more important than decoration, however, due to its properties, this type of concrete allows you to give buildings unique features and appearance, which would be much more difficult (or impossible) to achieve in another way.
Composition and features
The used technology of architectural concrete, as mentioned above, directly depends on the selected composition. If the emphasis is precisely on the structural properties, then the material receives higher strength, resistance to damage, increased resistance to water and so on. Here, a lot is connected with what is required at the moment, in what conditions the building will be located after completion of construction, and for what purposes it will be used. In the case of decorative properties, most often they put more emphasis on the texture or texture of the material.
To give the substance greater plasticity, plasticizers, polymers, mineral or chemical additives are added to the mixture. If necessary, to obtain more serious reinforcing properties add sand, gravel, tuff or limestone. Among other things, in the manufacture of architectural concrete, substances can be used to increase resistance to low temperatures, hardeners, sealants and other similar additives, of which there are a huge number. But to give purely decorative properties rock formations, mica, quartzite, basalt, particles of marble or granite are usually mixed in. Sometimes colored glass or ceramic chips are used. And of course, dyes are actively used if the final product needs to be given some non-standard color.
General material features:
- does not slip;
- easy to wash;
- perfectly absorbs sounds;
- has protection against damage;
- does not interact with the sun's rays;
- withstands rain, wind, snow and other similar external factors of influence;
- retains its properties at temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees;
- little weight;
- hardens in the interval from 14 to 28 days;
- does not pass gases and chlorides.
Almost all types of architectural concrete have all these properties, and other features are already added to them, if necessary. For example, if a product made of such a material is supposed to be installed at too high or low temperature, then with the help of additives the range of conservation of properties can be shifted in one direction or another.
Surface treatment
Depending on the variety of architectural concrete, products from it are subjected to different processing methods.
Sculptural concrete:
- Hand painting.
- Modeling.
- Engraving.
- Mechanical restoration.
Geometric concrete:
- Machine polishing and grinding.
- Sandblasting.
- Acid exposure.
- Fire processing.
Decorative concrete is mainly processed by applying to its surface all kinds of elements made from a variety of materials. All of them imitate natural elements.
Outer protective coating
A special coating is usually applied on top of architectural concrete, increasing its protection against various factors.
- Protection against patterns does not spoil the appearance of the product vandals.
- Protection against grease, dust and dirt retains the perfect appearance of the structure.
- Water repellent coating provides a longer service life.
- The decorative layer allows you to improve the appearance of the product.
The features of a protective coating directly depend on the type of concrete and the conditions in which the structure will be in operation. For example, a statue located in an inaccessible place, on the shore of a reservoir, is likely to receive protection from water, but not from drawing.
Summary
Architectural concrete as such appeared relatively recently, about 50 years ago. Since then, it has been actively used in different countries for both construction and the creation of decorative elements. This material cannot be called cheap, but most of the costs are not spent on the building mixture itself, but on the work of designers, artists, decorators, architects and everyone who gives the product an end look.