Weight of concrete

[graduatequestions]

Does anyone know of a way to cheaply increase the weight of concrete?

Its not a strength issue so I don't want to increase the grade or anything. Are there certain aggregates that increase the weight without affecting the grade?

Any help would be appreciated!

 

[BigH]

Use aggregate with very high specific gravities.

 

[Ussuri]

http://www.concrete.org.uk/fingertips_nuggets.asp?cmd=display&id=785

 

[MiketheEngineer]

How about lead ball bearings??

Why do you want to increase the weight??

 

[coloeng]

Maybe he's trying to sabotage someone else's concrete canoe.

 

[concretemasonry]

We made high density CMUs for shielding at nuclear plants and around hospital X-ray rooms using an iron aggregate (hematite, if I remember correctly), but it was not cheap as aggregates go, but on the bottom line of the construction costs the aggregate was the most economical solution.

With refined metals (lead, etc.) there are bonding and gradation problems.

Dick

 

[concretemasonry]

I also neglected the particle shape and surface effects of some processed minerals.

It can be a challenge if you want both strength and other physical properties.

Dick

 

[civilperson]

Concrete secured ballast in ships uses steel pieces of rebar for 30-50% of the large aggregate. Taconite aggregate ore from Minnesota is heavy also.

 

[flamby]

To increase the weight cheaply, just increase the volume.

Ciao.

 

[krunom]

You could use slag as an aggregate.

 

[dik]

I've used steel 'punchings' from a metal fabricator.

Dik

 

[concretemasonry]

Slag is just a by-product and the properties are extremely variable. The valuable slag is lighter.

Most slag does not have the density of solid aggregate.


Taconite has the density, but the individual particles are spherical and do not lend themselves to very high concrete densities.

Dick

 

[oregonaut]

instead of steel use depleted uranium its super dense and is what the military uses in armor piercing rounds to pierce through steel.

as for the cost...i have no clue!