Abstract
No other material which can be made by such simple processes has so great a variety of structural and other performance characteristics as in situ concrete. This is largely achieved by the simple variation of its ingredients. These generally consist of an aggregate of stone or other gravel, graded from dust up to a certain maximum size, bound together with a cementitious material such as Portland cement. Concrete can be designed quite precisely and produced for specific purposes. Its density may range from 320 to 2400 kg/m3 according to the type of aggregates used and the mix proportions. For special purposes, such as protection from radiation, shielding densities of up to 4000 kg/m3 can be achieved by using metallic iron or lead aggregates. Compressive strengths vary with the densities from approximately 0.48 N/mm2 up to 69 N/mm2 as do the thermal conductivities, from 0.11 to 2.6 W/m degC.
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© 1972 Robert Fisher
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Fisher, R. (1972). The use of concrete. In: Walls. Essence Books on Building. Palgrave, London. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-01504-7_3
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-349-01504-7_3
Publisher Name: Palgrave, London
Print ISBN: 978-1-349-01506-1
Online ISBN: 978-1-349-01504-7
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