Is “Smart Concrete” the Future of Constructing Buildings? Part 1

We have accepted “smartphones” and “smart televisions” into our lives. Many of us have also embraced “smart watches,” “smart cars,” and even “smart homes.” If you have the means to do so and you really love technology, perhaps you are considering purchasing either a “smart refrigerator” or a “smart toilet”. However, “smart concrete” is perhaps one phrase we never thought we would utter. As Jacksonville construction attorneys that are devoted to the construction industry, maybe we should use this terminology more often.

As Jacksonville construction attorneys for a law firm that is dedicated to representing the legal needs of our clients, we are fascinated with cutting-edge technologies that can positively influence the future of the industry by creating cost-effective and safer means of construction. In this two-part article, we will first discuss the history of concrete and the problems that eventually present themselves with the material. In the second section, we will reveal a state-of-the-art invention that could enter the market soon and change the game.

The History of Concrete

Concrete has existed as far back as the ancient Egyptian and Roman times and was utilized to construct some of the most impressive structures in the history of the world including the Roman Pantheon and the Hoover Dam. Today, thanks to the inexpensive nature of producing it, concrete is by far the most popular construction material utilized in the industry. We even nicknamed the biggest city in the U.S. after it.

The Simplicity of Concrete

Concrete is not only an affordable building material, it is also extremely resilient, fits the vast majority of project designs because of its workability and molding process, and is very easy to produce. Although there are a variety of types of concrete, the most common type is Portland cement. To create concrete, water is mixed with crushed rocks, sand, or gravel and a cement binder.

The Challenges with Traditional Concrete

Although concrete provides contractors with a cost-effective way to build impressive foundations, it does come with some serious setbacks. Due to either tension or inclement weather conditions, concrete does crack and eventually deteriorate over time. This results in the need for the construction industry to rely on thorough inspections, patchwork repair jobs, or breaking out the sledgehammer or jackhammer and starting from scratch.

What if there was a way that concrete healed itself and didn’t need significant repairs? In the second section of this article, we will introduce a potential solution to this problem.

If you would like to speak with a Jacksonville construction attorney, please contact us today.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.

Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for general educational information only. This information does not constitute legal advice, is not intended to constitute legal advice, nor should it be relied upon as legal advice for your specific factual pattern or situation.