Engineers Develop New Technique to Create Concrete in Space

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Engineers Develop New Technique to Create Concrete in SpaceNASA is hoping to send humans to Mars by the time 2030 rolls around. SpaceX CEO Elon Musk is hoping to send them to the “Red Planet” even sooner than that. But will humans actually be able to survive and settle on Mars?

There are a number of important developments and innovations humans will need to successfully settle on Mars in the future. For starters, scientists need to figure out a way to create thousands of tons of concrete on the surface of a distant planet so that astronauts can make their homes in space. Mars is frequently subjected to lethal doses of radiation and micrometeorites that are capable of doing significant damage to fragile structures. With these dangers in mind, humans will need a great deal of concrete to protect structures on mars, the moon and other planetary bodies.

Now, in an attempt to make concrete in space, NASA is collaborating with Stanford School of Engineering professor Michael Lepech. It would be impossible for NASA to ship the products necessary to create concrete to Mars, so Lepech and NASA researcher David Loftus have come up with a possible solution. They have discovered a way to combine animal proteins with the type of extraterrestrial soil commonly found on Mars to create concrete that is, thus far, as strong as the concrete used to make sidewalks and patios here in the U.S.

Researchers are still testing it out—it appears to be strong enough to withstand micrometorite impacts and protect astronauts from radiation—but the hope is that this type of concrete could eventually be used on Mars and also incorporated into buildings, roads, and more on Earth. It’s exciting to hear about the progress Lepech and Loftus have made in such a short amount of time.

At Bergen Mobile Concrete, We’ve been supplying businesses and individuals in Bergen County, New Jersey with concrete for almost 30 years now, and we can set you up with as much concrete as you need for your next project. Call us at 201-797-7550 today to schedule a concrete delivery.

Futuristic Concretes Aim to Melt Away Snow and Ice at Airports

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In the wintertime, it’s important for airports to do whatever they can to keep snow and ice off runways and other concrete surfaces that are used on the perimeter of the property. Snow and ice can cause severe delays and, in some cases, it can even make it impossible for flights to take off and land at airports. It’s why a team of researchers at Iowa State University have come up with a possible solution for clearing snow and ice off concrete surfaces quickly and easily.

Snow Removal at AirportsIowa State professor Halil Ceylon and his team have created a new kind of electrically conductive concrete that is able to melt away snow and ice without any effort on the part of people. As New Atlas reports, Ceylon and his team have installed some of this concrete at Des Moines International Airport in an effort to test it out and see how it works.

The top layer of the concrete includes 1 percent carbon fiber and a mixture of cement, sand and rocks that is designed to house six electrodes that are connected to a power supply located in a hangar at the airport. When the electrodes are turned on through the use of an app, they generate an electrical current which heats the surface of the concrete up and makes it warm enough to melt away any snow or ice on top of it. Ceylon and his team have also tinkered with the concrete to ensure that it doesn’t get too hot and that the electrical current isn’t so high to lead to any electrocution hazard.

While the researchers aren’t yet sure if it would be practical to use their electrically conductive concrete on runways at airports, they are confident that it could be used in congested areas of the airport like aprons and sidewalks. This would help maintain common and high-traffic areas around the facility, reducing maintenance needs and improving overall efficiency and safety.

Ceylon isn’t the only one working on a special concrete that would be able to clear snow and ice, either. University of Nebraska-Lincoln professor Chris Tuan has also created a conductive concrete that has steel shavings and carbon particles in it. This allows it to conduct electricity and get warm enough to melt any snow and ice that lands on top of it. This material was tested last year as part of a series of ongoing testing conducted under an FAA program, reports New Atlas.

With snow now largely out of mind for the season, at Bergen Mobile Concrete, we’re thinking forward to concrete needs for the rest of the year ahead. If you have a project coming up, we can bring an exact amount of concrete to you whenever and wherever you need it. There’s no need to pay for more than you need when you work with us – we’ll arrive and mix on site the exact quantities that you need. Learn more or schedule a delivery today by calling us at 201-797-7550.

Concrete: From Antiquity to Today

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Home and business owners rely on concrete for all different kinds of things these days. Whether they are building a patio in a backyard or laying the foundation for a large building, concrete is a cost-effective material that can stand the test of time and provide strength and stability for a number of structures. But concrete is not some modern invention that people just discovered within the last century or so. It actually has a very long history and has been in use for more than 5,000 years.

History of ConcreteAccording to Concrete Network, the earliest forms of concrete date back to 3,000 B.C. when the Egyptians mixed mud and straw to create bricks and combined gypsum and lime to make mortar. They used them to build the pyramids, which as you know, are still standing at this time, as strong as ever. Roman architecture spanning from 300 B.C. through 476 A.D. relied on concrete as well that contained animal products to serve as admixtures to make it more versatile in specific applications.

Modern cement that is made using limestone and clay and that hardens when you add water to it was invented in the early 1800s, and by the end of the 1800s, bridges and streets were first built using concrete. By the turn of the century, those living in the early 20th century were ready to experiment with concrete further by using it to erect buildings and build houses. That led to the development of ready mix concrete in 1913, which was concrete that could be mixed at a central plant and then delivered wherever it needed to go.

Since that time, concrete has continued to develop and evolve, and people have found new ways to use it. They’ve found ways to stamp it and turn it decorative. They’ve used it to build countertops inside of homes. They’ve even discovered ways to polish it, which has made it popular in retail stores and some homes due to its durability and aesthetic appeal. Concrete has certainly come a long way over the years and will likely continue to change and evolve as we find new and exciting uses for it.

If you are planning a project that requires concrete, Bergen Mobile Concrete offers on-site mix and delivery services. Evening and weekend deliveries are always available through us, as well, and we can also often accommodate last-minute delivery requests. Call us at 201-797-7550 today to schedule a concrete delivery for your next home renovation or construction project.

Our Concrete Delivery is Flexible, But Not Like this Flexible Concrete

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Here at Bergen Mobile Concrete, we are all about flexibility. After all, that is the backbone of our business – the ability to deliver concrete to your project during days, nights and even on the weekends.

But what if you could not only get flexibility with your delivery service but also with your concrete as well? A new material out of Singapore might just be the answer.

Named ConFlexPave, this new form of concrete was developed at the Nanyang Technological University in Singapore where researchers were trying to create a concrete that was not only stronger than your traditional mix but also more flexible than what we are used to.

Curved ConcreteA long time in the making, this ConFlexPave was first dreamed up when the inventors decided to try and understand how the components of concrete interact with each other at the microscopic level, reports Archinect. Taking a look at these interactions helped them to create this new blend of concrete.

In a nutshell, the concrete utilizes a polymer microfiber to allow the material to bend under extreme pressure while also improving skid resistance. With these new implementations, the concrete has the potential cut down on construction time and on-site work. Plus, despite being flexible, this new concrete is actually stronger than traditional mixes, making it all the more useful for a wide range of potential applications if it becomes available for mass use.

Although fiber reinforced concrete has been around for some time now, these new developments will certainly be a big help to a number of projects. These advancements are just another step forward and a good prediction of how much easier major projects could be in the future.

While we’re still several years from flexible concrete availability, we at Bergen Mobile Concrete are the delivery service that you can depend on to be flexible to meet your needs and your schedule. We can deliver anywhere in Bergen County at just about any time, and you can count on quick and dependable service with every delivery. Plus, with our metered mobile mixers, we can make just the amount of concrete you need, eliminating overbuying and waste.

When you need concrete delivery for your project in the greater Northern New Jersey area, give us a call at 201-797-7550 and get your concrete fast.

Different Projects, Different Concrete: Part 2

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Most mixes of Portland cement are very similar, but there are many differences that builders should know about before picking what type of use. The type of cement that you should use changes dramatically based on the job, as well as the physical and chemical requirements for specific applications.

In total, there are eight different types of Portland cement. Let’s look at the differences and the types of jobs each should be used for with information from the Portland Cement Association.

Type I is used for general projects and is suitable for almost all day-to-day concrete applications.

Type II concrete is used for structures in water or soil that contain moderate amounts of sulfate. This type of cement is also commonly selected for use in locations there heat build-up is a concern.

Type III cement provides a great deal of strength and resistance even in its early state – as little as one week. This makes it desirable for quick-moving projects.

Type IV moderates heat generated from hydration, which makes it ideal for use in heavy-saturation scenarios and massive concrete structures like dams.

Type V cement is resistant to chemicals, such as high-sulfate soil or water, meaning that it can be used in harsh environments with ease.

Air-Entrained ConcreteFinally, there are three mixes used to make air-entrained concrete: IA, IIA and IIIA. They have the same properties as types I, II and III, but have small quantities of air-entrained materials combined with them.

Knowing which type is right for your job site can make a big difference in the success of your project. Builders should also look at some other characteristics of concrete before picking one. Some of the top considerations include slump – the measure of plasticity of the concrete when it is being poured – and fly ash content, which reduces cost while slowing the setting time, giving you more time to place and shape the poured concrete while working.

Finally, there are chemical admixtures put into concrete that can enhance certain performance characteristics of concrete, notes wikiHow. This can range from making more fluid concrete to pour in confined spaces to water reduced mixes that minimize the need to include construction joints where using them may not be possible.

There is a lot of consider when selecting your concrete, so if you have any questions, just give us a call at Bergen Mobile Concrete. We work with different types of concrete all the time, so we can answer any questions you have. To learn more or to schedule a concrete delivery, call us today at 201-797-7550.

Different Projects, Different Concrete: Part 1

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All concrete is not made the same.

There are a wide range of different types, strengths and compositions of concrete, based on what the material will be used for. Concrete strength is measured in pounds per square inch or PSI. Normal mixes range from 2,500 to 5,000 PSI, with some specially designed mixes capable of more than 10,000 PSI.

Let’s look, though, at the common range and what different strengths of concrete are used for with help from wikiHow.

2,500 PSI

Used primarily in driveways, walkways and floors slabs, this concrete tends to be the cheapest. It’s used also as fill material and performs satisfactory for these types of projects.

3,000 PSI

Used in general construction, this mix is durable and has good finishing characteristics. It can be placed fairly wet without sacrificing quality.

Concrete Grades3,500 PSI

Perfect for areas where significant loading is expected, such as for paving curbs. Other uses include building footings, bond beams, grade beams and floor slabs.

4,000 PSI

This concrete is used for heavy traffic payment and heavy-use floor slabs, like those in shops or warehouses. This mix is made to handle a great deal of weight for a long period of time.

5,000 PSI

Incredibly strong, 5,000 PSI concrete and higher PSI-rated concrete mixes are used for special construction projects where high-impact resistance and low wear rates are expected.

As you can see, concrete comes in many different forms. The final decision comes down to the type of job being done. If you are about to start a job and want to know what concrete you should use, call us at Bergen Mobile Concrete. We have worked with a wide-range of concrete projects and can help you determine the right pressure and mix for the type of project you want to complete. Picking the wrong type of concrete can be detrimental to your project, so make sure you have the right one before you start.

To learn more or to schedule a concrete delivery, call us today at 201-797-7550.

Maximizing the Strength and Durability of Your Pour

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Concrete Pouring Concrete is one of the most used substances in the world, but there are still questions about how to get the most out of the material. When it comes to getting the best out of concrete, the secret is in the pour. Follow these instructions to improve how you pour concrete that will better help your concrete throughout its life.

Most people think concrete should be poured on a sunny or hot day, but that’s incorrect. In fact, concrete is best poured on overcast damp days where the temperate is about 55 degrees. While it may be hard to time your pour to optimal weather conditions, try to keep it in mind when scheduling a pour as extreme temperatures can be detrimental to concrete’s longevity. Look for days where the temperate is more mild or at least not as extreme as others. If you have to pour on a bad day, there are still ways to improve your site conditions.

Windy days cause too much water to evaporate from the surface and shrinkage cracks often develop. If you pour on a hot day, as is sometimes inevitable during the summer, put a tent over the surface or a screen to block the sun a little and alleviate some of the heating impact of the sun.

As for cold weather, make sure the concrete is covered with insulating blankets, straw or plastic as soon as it’s finished and keep the cover on for at least 72 hours. As concrete hardens, it releases heat through internal chemical process, and you want to store this heat to stop the concrete from drying out or freezing, leading to the possibility of cracking.

At Bergen Mobile Concrete, we’ve poured concrete in all types of conditions. If you have any questions about how or when to pour, please give us a call. We specialize in concrete delivery services throughout the region and have worked in all sorts of climates and conditions. We’re happy to help you out. Give us a call today at 201-797-7550.

A New Type of Concrete Can Absorb Water

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ConcreteConcrete is an amazing material for a long list of reasons and it is the perfect choice for sidewalks, driveways, buildings, and other structures. However, concrete has improved in several ways throughout history, and inventors are always looking for new ways to use it. Now, a company in the UK has developed a new type of concrete that can actually absorb water at an alarming rate.

That’s right; water-absorbing concrete is a real thing. The specialized form of concrete, called Topmix Permeable, can actually absorb as much as 1,000 liters of water per minute. While it may sound hard to believe, the company has performed several demonstrations that underline the effectiveness of the concrete. In one video, a truck poured more than 4,000 liters of water on to a section of Topmix Permeable concrete, and it vanished almost instantly.

Just how does this concrete work? Well, unlike traditional concrete, Topmix Permeable contains no sand or crushed stone. Instead, the concrete is placed over another layer made entirely out of crushed stone, which allows the concrete itself to remain porous. The water simply moves through the concrete, into the aggregate layer, and eventually makes its way into the earth below.

While the practical application of this concrete remains to be seen, it could be effective in areas that are prone to flooding. And although this is the first example of concrete that has been able to absorb water, it is similar in many ways to porous asphalt and paving blocks that have been used in several cities across the U.S.

We’re eager to see what the future holds for water absorbing concrete, and we’ll be sure to update you with any new information!

Concrete That Can Repair Itself

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concrete-crushedHighways. They’re like the veins of America, the blood flowing from coast to coast. Without highways, there’d be nothing really bringing the country together. Politics certainly aren’t doing the trick! Unfortunately a bulk of the highway system is seemingly crumbling.

With that said, highways are one of the most important parts of American infrastructure; it is important for the government to keep up to date on repairs, meaning no potholes or other impediments to smooth flowing traffic. After all, the highway system is crucial to the nation’s economy so the roads must be maintained; it’s really as simple as that. What are the roads constructed out of? Concrete of course!

Congress had to scramble to approve funding for the highway system by July 31. Why such a scramble? We’ll never know; it’s Washington! But their scramble demonstrates just how important the highway system is and how we need stronger and higher-performing highways and bridges. While that’s priority number one, there’s also talk of developing a better system of concrete. That may already be in the works, according to this article in The Christian Science Monitor.

Phoebe Tollefson writes, “It may sound far-fetched, but the technology exists for self-healing concrete. The auto-mending material contains limestone-producing bacteria that activates when wet. The bacteria can lie dormant for up to 200 years, according to the European Patent Office, where the technology is registered.”

Imagine that! Self-healing concrete. It’s almost like something out of a sci-fi movie. It basically starts repairing itself the moment it gets wet. That kind of technology could possibly change the way we see the world. What do you think?

The Evolution of Concrete and What It Means for Humanity

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6653499_SWe guess you could say that concrete is like the cockroach of building materials; it’s been used for what seems like forever, and it’s still kicking, and it’ll still be around even after everything else is gone. Concrete is trustworthy, the reliable material that we all come back to. What’s refreshing though is that we’re not using the same methods when it comes to concrete structures; we have evolved, as pointed out in The Independent.

Jay Merrick writes, “In the 21st century, software-generated algorithms and geometry often make the shaping and structuring of concrete as deliberately iconic […] but the aesthetic and atmospheric qualities of concrete architecture are not just about shape-making. It’s about the feel of the material, the light and shadow it creates, its particular sense of lightness, its particular sense of “grunt” – or its lightness and delicacy. Concrete can make asymmetry as graceful as symmetry, or turn volumes of space into engrossing mysteries.”

Wow! That’s quite the ringing endorsement. Sounds more like a religious experience than some architectural structure, but we can agree with that assessment. Concrete is poetry and at Bergen Mobile Concrete, we’re proud to work with this brilliant material. This material has taken civilizations to the skies. This material has solidified our lives in ways never thought possible. Concrete is the backbone from which every city perseveres, the legs on which every city can walk. It is, quite simply, what holds us together and with new technological advancements and a better understanding of the material as a whole, we can only expect concrete to become an even more prominent building block for the future – and that excites us. Doesn’t that excite you too?

We promise you that Bergen Mobile Concrete will evolve the same way that concrete has in order to serve you better!