Glass concrete - material features and recommendations for
Concrete has been widely used in construction for many years due to its resistance to deformation and durability, but the material has some drawbacks, the most important of which is low tensile strength. Most often, this problem is solved by metal reinforcement, but in our time there have been more progressive solutions. You can make glass concrete with your own hands, while the material properties will be at the highest level while reducing the weight of the structure.
Main types of materials
We note right away that the term glass concrete is understood as a whole range of variations, we will not consider all of them, we will only get acquainted with those that are most often used and with which you can work independently. Each type has its own characteristics, which determine one or another material properties.
Composite
The second name of this variant is glass reinforced concrete. It is very similar to conventional concrete options, but the technology of glass concrete involves the use of fiberglass rods instead of metal reinforcement.
To explain all the advantages of composite reinforcement, let's compare it to ordinary metal fittings:
| Metal | Fiberglass |
| When exposed to moisture, it is corroded, as a result of which the frame is destroyed, reducing the strength of the concrete structure. | Absolutely not afraid of moisture and is able to withstand its impact over the long term. |
| The heavy weight of metal-reinforced structures imposes many restrictions on construction. | Products made of glass concrete weigh much less, so that they can be used almost everywhere. |
| The rather high cost of fittings makes the project much more expensive, to achieve high quality you need to spend significant funds. | The price of composite reinforcement is much lower, which makes it more affordable than ordinary metal. |
| The weight of the metal is quite large, which creates inconvenience during work and handling. | Fiberglass rods weigh 5 times less with the same diameter. |
| It is very difficult to transport reinforcement due to the large length of the elements. You have to hire trucks. | The material rolls up into coils about 100 meters long, while the weight of one coil does not exceed 10 kg. You can transport it in the trunk of a passenger car. |
| Metal имеет высокую теплопроводность, вследствие чего прутки служат своеобразными мостиками холода в конструкции. | Fiberglass conducts heat up to 100 times less than metal, such designs are much warmer. |
Another important advantage is that composite rods are 2.5 times stronger at break, which allows using products of smaller diameter without loss of strength characteristics of the structure.
Work on the creation of a reinforcement belt of this type is much easier and faster due to a number of reasons:
- Lightweight material.
- Easy to connect - with plastic clips, securely fixing each node.
- In winter, the metal is very cold, while fiberglass does not freeze through.
Note! It is worth remembering that the strength properties of fiberglass are much higher, so you can use reinforcement of smaller diameter without loss of strength.
Glass concrete
Such glass concrete has a number of differences, the most important of which is the use of glass fiber as a filler, which determines the high performance properties of the material.
The main advantages of this option include the following factors:
- Versatility: this way it is possible to manufacture both panels and blocks or lightweight and durable cladding sheets. The scope of application is very wide.
- Ease: fine-grained concrete mixed with sand in a 50/50 ratio and chopped glass fiber.
- Strength fiber-reinforced concrete: it is twice as resistant to compression as simple concrete, 4 times stronger in tension and bending, and shock resistance is even 15 times stronger.
- With the help of various additives: plasticizers, dyes, water repellents - the properties of concrete can vary significantly.
But It is worth noting that the manufacture of such a material is a rather complicated process, and high quality and reliability can be achieved only in factory conditions.
Concrete with the addition of liquid glass
This option can not be called glass concrete in its pure form, however, it is worth considering it, since it uses liquid glass during production. This silicate-based component gives the material high moisture resistance properties and increases the resistance to high temperatures.
In addition, liquid glass has pronounced antiseptic properties, due to which it is often added during construction in wetlands, where dampness especially affects structures.
Instructions for making concrete is as follows:
- First, the concrete of the desired grade is prepared, and you should not make it too liquid.
- Next, liquid glass is diluted with water in the proportion specified in the instructions on the package.
- The finished solution is added to the concrete in a ratio of 1:10, after which it is necessary to mix the composition thoroughly before use.
Note! Water that is added to water glass is not taken into account when preparing concrete, since it is used to maintain a chemical reaction that makes the surface resistant to moisture.
Sometimes a simpler method is used: surface impregnation with a solution of liquid glass. But, in order to achieve the best protection, it is better to apply another layer of mortar with liquid glass for concrete on top, the more it hardens quickly enough, so the timing of the work will not increase.
Everyone knows that cutting reinforced concrete with diamond circles, like diamond drilling of holes in concrete, is fraught with difficulties. But the use of fiberglass elements also simplifies these complex works: the material lends itself much better, and crowns and discs do not wear out so quickly.
Conclusion
To better understand the issue, watch the video in this article, it clearly shows some of the nuances under consideration. In general, it is possible to assert with confidence that behind the fiberglass elements there is a future, and glass concrete will be used more and more each year.