Concrete
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All photos courtesy of the Portland Cement Association
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AAC is made with all fine aggregates, nothing more coarse than a grain of sand, cement, and a natural expansion agent that causes the concrete to rise like bread dough. AAC can be molded and cut it into precisely dimensioned units.
Removable Forms
With removable form construction, a crew erects forms of aluminum, wood, or steel to make a mold in the shape of the walls. Insulation is placed inside the forms along with reinforcing steel, and a crew pours concrete inside the cavity.
Concrete Masonry (Concrete Block)
Masons lay a series of courses, or rows, using concrete block units. Each course is set on a layer of mortar to bind the blocks and ensure proper spacing. Most systems incorporate rigid insulation for added energy efficiency.
Insulating Concrete Forms (ICFs)
ICF echnology uses blocks or panels consisting of two layers of rigid foam insulation that stack and interlock. Once reinforcing steel is secured, workers pump concrete into the cavity to create a solid structural wall with insulation on both sides.
Precast Concrete Panels
With precast concrete, large panels of wall are poured horizontally in a factory. Rigid foam insulation is placed between two layers of concrete. The panels are delivered by truck to the job site, lifted into place with a crane, and fastened together.
