Introduction to concrete building products
Practical Action
CHECKLIST OF ADVANTAGES AND DISADVANTAGES OF CONCRETE PRODUCTS
ADVANTAGES
DISADVANTAGES
FOR THE PRODUCER
Production can be started with little capital
Cement, an expensive commodity in many
areas, is used in production
Concrete is acceptable to builders and
building users, i.e. there is usually a ready
market
Cement hardens slowly and a large area of land
needs to be set aside to allow products to
harden and cure
A large variety of products can be made with
concrete
Concrete is rather a brittle material, so care is
needed in handling and transport of products to
avoid breakages, unless reinforcement is used
Concrete products can be left in the yard
without deteriorating
A large amount of water is needed for concrete
products
A high level of skill and training is not required The need to thoroughly clean moulds and
to make most types of concrete products
machines
FOR THE USER
Durable
Brittle - risk of breakage during handling, unless
reinforcement is used
Easy to build with
Low strength in tension and bending, unless
reinforcement used
Fireproof
Attacked by sulphates in groundwater - care
needs to be taken if groundwater contains
sulphates in below- ground construction
Pest resistant
Relatively high moisture movement, hence need
for construction joints in long structures
Little maintenance required
Good thermal and sound insulation
High compressive strength - can be used in
multi-storey construction
Relatively weatherproof
International and national standards available
for many products and the products usually
acceptable by local building codes and
regulations
Materials and Mix Proportions
The types of materials for concrete mixes have already been referred to earlier in this brief and
described in more detail in the accompanying brief - Concrete Works: Information And Guidelines
For Concrete Products Makers And Builders Making And Using Concrete At The Building Site. It
is suggested that reader consults this brief for further information on the constituent materials of
concrete and their properties.
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