Los Angeles has a long history that can be seen in the varied architecture of its cityscape. From its days as a Spanish colonial town in the mid-1800s to its modern state as a hub for the entertainment and tech industries, Los Angeles’ structures have evolved with the city’s population and culture. Concrete is and has been a staple of that built environment and commercial concrete contractors in Los Angeles play a vital role not only in the city’s growth but also in the preservation of its historic structures and the diverse architecture that characterizes the city. Causes of deterioration in historic concrete
While concrete is often considered an inherently permanent building material, like other building materials it too is subject to wear and tear and the degradations of time. The primary causes of concrete deterioration include corrosion of the reinforcing steel, break down of the concrete itself, flaws in the initial implementation of the concrete, or structural issues with the building as a whole. The introduction of steel rebar in concrete construction allowed cities to build upward and reach greater and greater heights. Reinforcing steel, however, if not placed correctly is subject to the corrosion that results from the exposure of steel to water, water vapor, and high relative humidity. These environmental factors cause steel to rust and compromise the integrity of the surrounding concrete. The components of the concrete itself can also degrade due to improperly designed mixtures, such as when large aggregate fractures or when cement bonds weaken. In historical structures, the outdated methods of concrete construction also contribute to concrete deterioration, which acts as an unfortunate proof of the need for modern developments in newer technologies and standards in concrete. Along the same lines, flaws in the initial building design and engineering can impact and weaken the concrete used in the building’s construction. Approaches to historic concrete preservation A guiding principle of the preservation of historic concrete structures is minimal intervention and fidelity to the existing historic character of the building. For this reason, many approaches to preserving historic concrete involve preventative maintenance practices, with the regular assessment of concrete being the fundamental component of these practices. Some forms of concrete deterioration are evident in a visual assessment of the concrete surface, such as in observation of cracks, fissures, or discoloration, while other weaknesses in the concrete are concealed and can be tested for using technologies such as impact-echo testing or ground penetrating radar. Cleaning concrete is also an important component of preventative maintenance and works to remove corrosive materials and environmental pollutants that accumulate on and react with the concrete surface and degrade it over time. The Conco Companies’ mission is to be the best supplier of concrete services in the Western U.S. and to bring expertise and incomparable quality to each project. We continue to upgrade and expand our facilities to better serve the growing market for commercial, educational, parking structures, public works projects, and other development. Contact us to learn more about the services from one of the most trusted concrete contractors in Los Angeles. Comments are closed.
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