Concrete in Pakistan is categorised by strength, material, and uses. Based on the aforementioned factors, different types of concrete currently being used in the construction industry. In this blog, we will help you get a better understanding of the various types of concrete available in the country, along with practical examples of their application.
Types of Concrete and Their Uses in Pakistan’s Construction Industry
Concrete is among the most essential construction materials in the industry. However, it is available in more than one kind, and has advanced and developed over the years. It is now used for numerous purposes around Pakistan and the world. We have compiled all the popular and advanced types of concrete in Pakistan, along with their uses in the construction industry.
- Ready Mix Concrete
- Modern Concrete
- Plain Concrete
- High-Strength Concrete
- Shotcrete
- Limecrete
- Eco-Friendly Concrete
Ready Mix Concrete
Prepared in a batching & mixing plant, ready mix concrete (RMC) is first among the popular types of concrete in Pakistan. The mixture is usually supplied in a freshly prepared state to the construction site. For this purpose, the supplier uses a transit mixer. This is normally a truck designed to mix the concrete while it is on its way to the site. The mixture undergoes continuous rotation until it is ready for use.
With changing times, all industries have evolved to minimise cost and time, and increase productivity. RMC is preferred because it helps developers achieve these goals. It requires less labour exertion and time. This consequently accelerates the development of concrete structures.
On the other hand, RMC ensures the uniform quality of mixture throughout the construction process. It helps avoid the problems that traditional concrete mixing processes are prone to. These include the scourges of an incorrect water-cement ratio and insufficient mixing times.
Modern Concrete
The next mention on our list of popular types of concrete mixes in Pakistan is modern concrete. Also known as regular concrete, modern concrete is prepared by mixing Portland cement with aggregate and water-chemical mixtures. It is mostly used in urban structures; however, it can be used in any type of structure. Not to mention, it can also be used to make various concrete mix designs.
Plain Concrete
Similar to modern concrete, plain concrete is also among the most commonly used construction materials in Pakistan. It is a mix of cement, aggregate, and water, but the proportions are different than regular concrete. Plain concrete is mostly used in areas that do not require high tensile strength. As such, it is mostly used in footpaths, pavements, and buildings.
High-Strength Concrete
Just like the name sounds, high-strength concrete is prepared by decreasing the ratio of water into the cement. Besides changing the water-cement ratio, high-strength concrete uses silica fume to enhance the bond between cement and aggregate. The strength of such cement exceeds 40 MPa, but it is extremely difficult to handle due to its super-fast drying properties. Most construction companies in Pakistan add a superplasticizer to keep a balance between workability and strength.
Shotcrete
The application process of shotcrete sets it apart from the rest of the mentions on our list. As the name implies, this type of concrete is applied with the help of a nozzle. The mixture of shotcrete is filled into a nozzle, then it is shot into the structural frame at high air pressure. This allows the concrete to stay intact and solidify immediately.
Limecrete
Limecrete – also known as lime concrete – uses lime instead of cement. It is counted among green alternatives for traditional concrete and provides several benefits to the natural environment. Highly deemed as a breathable material, it is used in various structures, including flooring and walls of a building. Further, limecrete is a great alternative for using concrete in the construction industry.
Eco-Friendly Concrete
Decreasing our carbon footprint has become a necessity for our survival. Construction materials and procedures greatly impact the environment. Concrete mixed at the plant reduces the energy and resources utilised; leading to decreased waste production and dust pollution.
Eco-friendly concrete is extracted from environmentally friendly material and waste such as coal ash, bamboo, timbercrete, recycled plastic, straw bales, etc. It serves as an alternative to traditional concrete, and many home builders and construction companies in Pakistan are going green by using eco-friendly concrete.
If you are looking forward for more eco-friendly construction ideas, read our recent post on how to reduce and recycle construction waste.
So, this brings to the end of our post on different types of concrete mixes in Pakistan. We have mentioned some of the most popular types being used by construction companies in the country. Before we sign-off, here are a few things that you should know.
Building your home is an exciting journey. and the project requires your unwavering attention. It is, without any doubt, one of the major investments of your life. So, you must avoid the mistakes that can require a lot of time and money to correct later on. Hence, it is crucial to pay attention to the smallest of details.
It is recommended to keep track of each phase’s progress and review the results carefully during the building process. This does not necessarily include focusing on the design aspects of the project. The raw materials used play a big role in determining successful executions as well. So, make sure you are involved in making the final decisions with regard to these materials – their source, quality, and correct usage, of course.
If you have any questions or suggestions, write to us at blog@zameen.com.
Meanwhile, read our recent blog, where we have discussed the most popular types of beams used in construction. Also, do not forget to check out our list of popular building materials where we have shared the price of concrete in Pakistan as well.
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Comments are closed.
RMC is best suited for Construction Sites not a single house project. RMC requires quality control before and after pouring. Quality control involves but not limited to Temperature test, lump tests. For this Professional engineers are required.
For a single house, on site concrete mixing is the best way to confirm quality.
I like that you explain how ready mix concrete is prepared in a plant and it can help with cost and time. This would be useful to get more affordable services and help your project go faster. When choosing ready mix concrete, it might help to research the various suppliers in order to learn about what they offer so you can find one that provides quality products that work with the type of project you want it for.
We appreciate your input.