As experts in the installation of premium concrete flooring, at Nationwide Concreting we know all too well about the high strength, durability and utility qualities of concrete. Even then, sometimes the pure scale at which concrete structures can be constructed and maintained blows our minds, as it shows just how effective a material it really is.
We’ve decided to take a look into the true power of concrete, by compiling a list of some of the greatest and grandest concrete structures on the planet.
Officially designated as the largest concrete structure in the world, the Three Gorges Dam in Hubei Province is a true marvel in planning, design, and construction. It’s not just the world’s biggest concrete dam, but also the heaviest concrete structure of them all – weighing in at a whopping 27.2 x 106 metres cubed. For perspective, you’ll find about 8 metres cubed in a standard concrete mixer.
Construction began in 1994 and ended in 2003, at the bargain price of $37 billion! We expect your bill from Nationwide Concreting to be slightly less...
Currently the tallest building in the world, the Burj Khalifa is an icon of the gulf states, instantly recognisable to people from around the world. It should be no surprise, but it’s another of the world’s most impressive structures with a lot to thank concrete!
The building is comprised mostly of reinforced concrete, utilising a 586m Y shaped concrete core that introduced a new benchmark for high-performance concrete construction. High-performance, reinforced concrete limits the movement of the structure which is extremely important when dealing with such lofty heights.
Concrete was chosen also because of its ability to withstand harsh environments – mega-tall structures such as Burj Khalifa in the Middle East have to be hardy, as they are subjected to extremely high temperatures as well as corrosive materials in the wind and air. Concrete provides the desired service life for such a large project.
The CN Tower in Toronto, Canada is an iconic fixture of the city’s skyline – born out of a construction boom in the city in the 1970s. The original purpose of the tower was to provide the entire city with adequate TV signal, while also having the additional goal of being the tallest building in the world.
It accomplished both of these goals, with construction completing after just over three years. A 22 ft deep foundation was poured, with over 60,000 tonnes of ground removed, while the entire structure eventually encompassed 55,000 cubic yards of concrete.
Today over two million people visit the tower every year, where they can visit the world’s highest viewing platform or an acclaimed rotary restaurant that sits on the top floor.
While the likelihood is that you’re not looking to build a skyscraper any time soon, we hope that this article has given you an insight into the true power of concrete and its potential.
Why not visit our website to check out our full range of concreting services – and see the feedback from jobs we’ve completed for our range of satisfied clients.
If you have any enquiries, or would like to speak to a friendly member of our team, give us a call today – on 01590 676 585.