Durability is one of the most important factors in concrete. Without it, you might as well flush your money down the drain.
Concrete durability can be characterized as its resistance to chemical attacks and weather along with its ability to maintain the desired properties.
The use of sub-par materials, faulty construction practices, and improper cure times are causing concrete structures all over the world to become vulnerable to chemical and weather attacks and fail prematurely. Because of this, measuring the durability of your concrete is critical.
Beginning the testing process
Unfortunately, testing concrete durability is no simple task. Measuring its ability to endure the harsh elements of nature will depend upon where it’s being used and how long it needs to last. You’ll first need to ask yourself:
- What application will this concrete be used for?
- How long is the structure expected to last?
- What environmental disturbances will the structure be subjected to?
Testing concrete strength
Once you’ve gathered the answers to these questions, you will need to test your concrete’s strength. Thankfully, this is a relatively easy and consistent task that can be done despite any environmental factors. While different parts of your structure might require different strength capacities, the parameters will remain the same.
Testing concrete durability
After you’ve tested the strength of your concrete, you can begin testing its durability. This is a lot more difficult to define, however, it can be determined by testing the permeability of your mix. When water seeps into your concrete, your chances of premature deterioration increase immensely. To prevent this from happening, you will need to reduce the passage of water through your concrete.
At Port Aggregates, our ready mix concrete has been trusted by home and business owners for over 40 years. The durability and strength of our unique mix is truly unmatched in the industry. Stop flushing your money down the drain with contractors that use low quality materials and don’t know what they’re doing. Request a quote with us today and experience the Port Aggregates difference!