White concrete products. How to make decorative concrete correctly. Making architectural concrete with your own hands

White concrete products.  How to make decorative concrete correctly.  Making architectural concrete with your own hands
White concrete products. How to make decorative concrete correctly. Making architectural concrete with your own hands

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Architectural concrete is used both in construction and in landscape design.

Thanks to its special composition, this material has high strength and ductility; various architectural elements are cast from it, including openwork grilles, park sculptures are made, and natural stone is imitated. Making architectural concrete with your own hands is not so difficult if you know the composition and choose the right proportions. Architectural concrete is used both in normal construction, and in landscape design to create various sculptures. You will need: Portland cement; quartz sand;coloring pigments; modifying additives. Quartz sand can be used as a filler for architectural concrete. The filler most often used is quartz sand, marble or granite chips (dust). You can use only one of these materials, but if you need to imitate natural stone, it is better to take a mixture of marble chips and quartz sand.

In order to give architectural concrete a certain shade, colored pigments are used, which are sold in the form of dry powder or liquid dye. By mixing pigments with each other, you can get different colors: from light pastels to rich bright colors. It is important to remember that the amount of dye should be 2-3%, for a rich color - no more than 5%. To make architectural concrete, you need to purchase white or light gray Portland cement of the highest quality.

The most commonly used grades are M-500 or DO-400. It is highly undesirable to use gray cement, since it produces faded, dim colors. Portland cement should not contain any foreign impurities or lumps; before use, it must be sifted through a construction sieve. And if this already seems difficult to you, then order decor for the facade from the ARCHI-DOM company by contacting them through the website: http://www.archi-dom.ru/articles/izgotovlenie-arhitekturnogo-betona/.

To create concrete different color Pigments are added to the composition. Architectural concrete is made according to the following scheme: all dry components are sifted through a construction sieve, quartz sand is mixed with cement, small stone chips or dust are added, pigments are added, everything is mixed until a uniform consistency is achieved, after which a hole is made into which water is poured. The proportions depend depending on the brand of cement, for example, for 1 part M-500 there are 3 parts of quartz sand and 2 parts of water. In order to determine the quality of the solution, you need to hold a handful of concrete in your fist, then unclench your hand.

If the slide crumbles, then you need to add water; if water flows when the concrete is compressed, then there is not enough sand. In addition to the main components, architectural concrete includes various modifying additives. Plasticizers make the solution more plastic, frost-resistant additives make it resistant to exposure weather conditions, adhesives and antifoaming agents improve the quality of concrete. The proportions of modifying additives depend on the type of product and the chosen technology.

Table of grades and classes of concrete.

Architectural concrete can be produced in a variety of ways.

The most common method is embossing, which is performed using a special matrix. Embossing is used both for vertical surfaces and for forming garden paths or small areas. The prepared wall is primed, reinforced with plaster mesh, after which a thick layer of concrete of 2-5 cm is applied, after about 70 minutes an impression is made using a matrix.

On garden paths, the relief is made on raw concrete; craftsmen use several forms for embossing at once. The surface is painted with a colored hardener, which is applied in the form of a dry powder and rubbed in with trowels, the result is fixed with a special carrier impregnation. Some craftsmen prefer the following coloring method: coloring pigments are added to the solution during mixing.

To produce paving slabs, paving stones of various shapes, and relief decorative elements made of concrete, the vibrocompression method is used. For this purpose, a vibropress and special molds are used. Products are formed by vibration under a certain pressure.

The method has its advantages and disadvantages. This method cannot achieve thin openwork shapes, but the products are quite durable and frost-resistant. Initial costs are quickly recouped by high productivity and production speed.

The pressing method involves the use of a hydraulic press and molds. This technology is used for the manufacture of thin-walled products. The disadvantages of the method include low productivity, high cost imported equipment (there are no domestic analogues), in addition, the raw materials must be of high quality.

Casting is the most common method of producing architectural concrete of various shapes, without the use of vibration. For casting, gypsum concrete and polymer concrete are used, thanks to which it is possible to obtain any thin-walled and openwork shape of the product. The advantages of the method are low cost and high productivity.

FLOWER POTS MADE OF ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE

You will need:

    2 plastic buckets of different diameters; high-quality white or light gray Portland cement. white Portland cement - 2 parts; quartz sand - 2.5 parts; granite chips - 2.5 parts; reinforcing mesh with 2-3 mm cells; grease.

Architectural concrete is often used to make flowerpots for the garden. Making such a product with your own hands is quite simple.

The first step is to select 2 shapes of different diameters so that one fits freely into the other, while the gap between the walls should be at least 2 cm. Large containers of paint or putty, plastic buckets and basins with high walls are perfect for this purpose. To prevent the solution from sticking to the molds, they are lubricated with grease.

If you plan to reuse the molds, then it is better to line the bottom and sides that will come into contact with the solution with plastic wrap.

To give the product a certain color, you can add colored pigments to the solution, but it is important to remember that after the concrete dries, the color will become slightly lighter than in the original version. The solution is poured onto the bottom of a large mold, the layer thickness should be 3-5 cm, the concrete is compacted, after which a smaller bucket or basin is placed on it, and the space between the walls begins to be filled. To give strength to the product, a metal reinforcing mesh is used, which is installed between the walls in the center.

After the concrete has hardened, the flowerpot is removed from the mold and a drainage hole is drilled in the bottom. If the farm has Sander, then you can polish the surface, giving it the appearance of a product made of real stone.

If desired, the flowerpot is decorated with a mosaic of shells, pebbles, pieces of tiles, broken glass etc. The product can be painted with acrylic-based facade paint, it all depends only on your imagination and capabilities.

ARTIFICIAL STONE FROM ARCHITECTURAL CONCRETE

You will need:

    Portland cement grade M-500; quartz sand; marble chips; polystyrene foam; chain-link mesh; thin wire; metal brush; stationery tape.

Architectural concrete is often used to imitate natural stone.

You can make beautiful boulders to decorate your garden with your own hands. The first step is to make a model of the future stone from pieces of polystyrene foam, plastic bags and crumpled paper. All this is secured with ordinary stationery tape, after which it is wrapped with Chainlink mesh, the seams are fastened with thin wire.

To prepare a concrete solution, mix 1 part Portland cement, 1.5 parts quartz sand, 1.5 parts marble chips, add 2 parts water. The solution is distributed over the Chainlink mesh, allowed to set a little, then a second layer is applied. Here it is necessary to include creative imagination: in some places the stone needs to be smoothed, in some places a rough surface should be made with a metal brush, notches with a metal spatula, it is important to achieve maximum resemblance to natural material.

After drying, the stone is painted with acid or acrylic facade dyes.

For this purpose, it is better to use several shades, for example, yellow and red ocher, umber, various shades of brown. In order for the stone to look natural, at the end of painting it is necessary to walk over the surface with a semi-dry brush with white or light gray paint, and spray it with a toothbrush. Making products from architectural concrete is not so difficult if you familiarize yourself with the technology and purchase high-quality materials.

Concrete is a universal building material that finds its application in a wide variety of areas, from the construction of roads, houses and ending with the production of a wide variety of decorative items. In the latter case, architectural concrete is used. You can prepare it yourself at home, and then use it to create unusual, attractive shapes, including thin-walled ones.

The concrete contains ingredients such as: Portland cement D0-400 M-500, purified quartz sand, slaked ground lime.

This composition differs from the usual one in its resistance to sudden temperature changes, high moisture, and other influences. With its help, you can create amazingly attractive forms that imitate natural stone, which can be an excellent decoration for any structure.

Types of architectural concrete and its composition

Architectural concrete is divided into several separate groups, each of which is intended for certain types of work:

Concrete classification scheme by grade.

    white decorative concrete is used in the design of facades, halls, and when creating a wide variety of decorative elements that will not be subject to heavy loads; white lightweight concrete used to create lightweight structures with decorative elements such as stairs, tiles, to imitate natural stone, etc.

Architectural concrete is designed to solve two important problems:

    imitate the surface of natural stone; maintain the strength and stability of concrete.

Most often, the surface of natural sandstone is imitated, since this option is the simplest.

Often the surface not only imitates stone, but also exceeds it in many characteristics. Such qualities are given to concrete by its composition. Among the decorative ingredients concrete mixture the following apply:

Natural quartz sand is most often used as a filler, which gives the structure of the stone.

Therefore, many types of concrete products are called reconstituted sandstone. When ordering any decorative products, if you are offered sandstone for finishing, check whether it will be natural stone or its imitation, since the cost varies greatly. The binder is Portland cement, which must be grayish or white (which is preferable) color. The quality of the cement must be of the highest quality; its composition must not contain any impurities. Coloring pigments are necessary in order to give the product an even greater resemblance to natural stone. Pigments are introduced at the mixing stage, as a result it will be possible to paint the product completely over the entire mass.

That is, additional coloring is no longer necessary, and the product itself will not fade or peel during use. Modern production offers a wide variety of shades, including very bright ones, but to obtain maximum imitation it is better to use natural ones. In any case, the composition of concrete should include clean water without impurities, since the quality of the resulting products will depend on this. It is important to add the correct volume of water. Modifying additives, which include plasticizers, antifoaming agents, adhesives, and frost-resistant additives.

The composition and volume of such additives should be different in each individual case. It depends on what product will be produced, what molding technology is used to produce architectural products. In addition, such additives provide additional strength and resistance to mechanical damage, shocks, sudden changes in temperature, humidity.

The selection of proportions to prepare concrete with your own hands will depend on the specifics of the products that you want to make from it.

Methods for forming architectural concrete products

Architectural concrete can be subjected to various methods moldings, let's look at them in more detail.

Diagram of the ratio of components in a concrete mixture.

Stuffing, or tamping, is a manual method that produces the desired product in rigid forms. It is used to create DIY products of medium and high complexity. Among the advantages of this method, it is necessary to note the possibility of obtaining quite complex geometry and the rapid turnover of architectural forms.

Concrete contains ingredients such as:

    Portland cement D0-400 M-500; purified quartz sand; slaked ground lime.

Among the disadvantages, it should be noted low strength and frost resistance, a high percentage of defects, the inability to transfer a very fine structure, and high labor intensity. In addition, all ingredients used must be of high quality.

The vibration pressing method is based on vibration with a pressure of up to 1 kg/sq.

cm. For molding, molds and brick presses are used. This is how they are made Various types paving slabs, paving stones, the simplest architectural forms.

Recently, polyurethane substrates have been used as forms, which makes it possible to obtain a higher quality surface. Among the advantages, it is necessary to note the high productivity and ease of manufacture, the durability of the tiles. With the help of special pigments and plasticizers you can get an attractive colored tiles, which can decorate any courtyard and area.

Pressing under pressure of 50-500 kg/sq.m. cm through the use of hydraulic presses and molds. This method is used for the manufacture of thin-walled products that are characterized by the highest strength and resistance to frost.

Diagram of concrete macrostructures.

Vibratory casting is a method when architectural concrete is poured into special molds on vibrating platforms with your own hands; it is possible to use deep vibrators. It is used for the manufacture of most types of building and architectural forms. Let's apply this method at home.

The advantages of the method include: decorativeness, high quality, resistance to frost, reproduction of any architectural form and surface, low costs, low requirements for ingredients, adherence to technology, since the process itself is extremely simple. The disadvantages include high production costs, rather limited productivity, and very slow turnover of the molds used.

Vibratory rolling is a rather exotic type of forming products from architectural concrete. It is produced using not only vibration, but also extrusion and centrifugation. Using this method, you can quickly obtain round products such as columns and balusters.

Architectural concrete is a special type of concrete mixture that is used for the manufacture of various decorative and finishing products. The composition of such concrete is somewhat different from traditional one, as are the methods for molding products of the required shape.

Concrete is one of the most functional building materials. He received wide application in a variety of areas: from laying roads to constructing buildings.

Often the material serves an aesthetic purpose. It is used for interior decoration premises, as well as for the production of interior items and external decor. For this purpose, architectural concrete is used, which differs from the standard material in its composition and performance qualities.

Facade and architectural decor made of decorative concrete can be ordered at http://www.vlando.ru/

He has high degree resistance to sudden changes in temperature, increased influence of humidity and other external influences. It is used for decorating facades and interior spaces.

The plasticity of architectural concrete allows you to sculpt any shape that will become a wonderful decoration of the object. It is able to accurately imitate natural stone, which allows you to significantly save money on the visual design of your home. This composition can be purchased in special construction stores or cook it yourself.

Varieties

Architectural concrete is divided into several types, differing in their composition and scope of application. Each material must be used for its intended purpose.

White decorative

This composition is effectively used for the decoration and design of facades and interior decoration of halls. Interior items can be of various shapes and textures.

The main operating condition is the prohibition of heavy loads. In case of non-compliance of this rule there is a risk of structure collapse.

White light

The material is used mainly for the construction of lightweight structures with decorative components. These could be stairs, tiled flooring. Very often, a lightweight composition allows you to imitate natural rocks: marble or natural sandstone.

It exactly repeats the pattern of natural material; at first glance it is impossible to distinguish it from the real thing. Imitation stone greatly exceeds physical properties natural rocks.

Architectural concrete has high strength and resistance to external influences.

Compound

Very often, architectural concrete is made by hand. The technology for its preparation is not difficult.
Ingredients for preparing this composition:

  • filler;
  • binder;
  • dye;
  • water;
  • modifiers.

The basis

To prepare the mixture with your own hands, the filler is taken as a basis, which is most often used natural sand, granite or marble chips. Thanks to him, it became possible to accurately copy rocks, so this variety architectural concrete is otherwise called reclaimed sandstone.

Binder

Portland cement is used as a binder. Experts recommend taking it whitish or grayish in color. It should not contain any additional impurities.

To make it look like natural stone, special coloring pigments are added to the composition. The dye is introduced during the dry mixing process. This allows the color to be distributed evenly throughout the material. No additional application of tint is required. Thanks to this type of pigment introduction, the finished decor will not be affected sun rays and fading.

The technology of adding color allows you to create different shades, but to give a natural effect, it is recommended to choose a natural palette. To obtain pastel colors, it is recommended to take the dye in a ratio of 2-3% of the total amount of the mixture, for bright shades no more than 5%.

Water

The dry mixture is diluted with water. A prerequisite is to use it without impurities, in pure form. The quality of the resulting product will depend on the correctly calculated amount of liquid.

Other Supplements

Plasticizers, adhesives, frost-resistant additives, and antifoams are used as modifiers. These components are added to the mixture depending on the shape and declared qualities that future decorative items should have. They are able to strengthen the structure, make it resistant to external mechanical influences and sudden temperature changes.

Technology and cooking methods

The production of architectural concrete occurs using the following technology. All dry ingredients are sifted through a special sieve. The filler is mixed with cement, then dye and modifying additives are added. You should get a homogeneous consistency. Then you need to make a hole in the resulting mixture and fill it with water.

All proportions when mixing architectural concrete depend on the brand of cement used. To mark M500, the following calculation is required: 1 part material to 3 parts sand and 2 parts liquid. Determining the readiness of the solution is carried out in a simple way: the finished composition should be squeezed tightly in your hand for a few seconds, then unclench it. If the lump breaks up, it is recommended to add a little water, but if liquid flows when squeezing it, you should mix quartz sand.

To improve the quality and properties of concrete, modifying components are often added. Various plasticizers give plasticity to the decorative material, which allows you to fashion unusual design objects. Frost-resistant compounds make concrete resistant to low temperatures, so they are added to mixtures used for street construction.

Antifoaming agents and adhesives add additional properties to products. The amount of modifying additives depends on the technology for preparing architectural concrete, on the type of decor and on the place of its application.

Architectural concrete has various technologies preparations. All of them allow you to create the effect of natural stone in almost any interior element.

The most popular cooking method is embossing. To execute it you will need a special matrix. Concrete, which is produced using a similar method, is most often used for finishing vertical surfaces. It is also widely used for laying garden and house paths.

The surface for decoration is cleaned, then a layer of primer is applied to it, on which a reinforcing mesh is mounted. It is necessary to strengthen concrete. A thick layer of ready-made cement composition is poured onto it. Usually it does not exceed 5 cm. All this is left to harden for an hour. Afterwards, embossing is performed using a matrix.

Usually, to make the covering of paths or small areas, the drawing is made on wet concrete. To make the process go faster, experienced specialists Several relief forms are used at once. With this method of manufacturing architectural concrete, the pigment is most often not introduced into the material, but is applied after the impression is made. The entire surface is painted over with a colored component. It has the texture of a powder, so it is rubbed into a damp base using smoothers. Then additional impregnation is performed to secure the top layer.

Vibration pressing

This method is used to produce architectural concrete for laying sidewalks, paving stones and other decorative items. The vibration pressing technique allows you to create a wide variety of shapes and reliefs. For the manufacturing process, a special press is used, under which the product is formed. Strong pressure is applied to the cement mixture using vibration.

The technology has its advantages and disadvantages, which determine the scope of application. When exposed to vibration, it is impossible to sculpt thin openwork details. Products created in this way are best suited for exterior decoration, where the use of durable and frost-resistant material is required. The equipment itself for manufacturing products is expensive, but it pays off quite effectively high speed production.

When using the pressing method special equipment: hydraulic press and molds. Most often, the method is used to create thin-walled products. It is very important to use high-quality raw materials in your work. This will make the product durable and strong, which guarantees safe operation.

This technology has low productivity. The material is produced only on special European equipment. It is not produced in Russia. These conditions created a high production cost.

Casting

Production of architectural concrete by casting is the most effective method obtaining products of various reliefs. It is noteworthy that production is carried out without the use of vibration. Polymer concrete and gypsum concrete are used.

This technology allows you to create any thin-walled structure or openwork shape of the product. With all these advantages, the method is cost-effective and has high productivity.

Concrete is one of the most versatile building materials; it is used in a variety of areas of construction, from the construction of houses to the manufacture of various decorative products. In the latter case, special concrete is used, which is called architectural concrete. Next, we will take a closer look at what architectural concrete is, what properties it has, and how you can prepare it yourself.

Finishing with decorative concrete

Features of architectural concrete

Architectural (or as it is also called decorative) concrete differs from ordinary concrete in its resistance to various negative impacts, such as sudden temperature changes, increased moisture, etc. Architectural concrete products can be incredibly attractive, imitating natural stone. With their help, you can decorate any building from the outside or decorate the room from the inside.

The photo shows the structure of decorative concrete

Types of material

Decorative concrete mortar is conventionally divided into two main types, each of which is intended for different types of work:

  • White decorative concrete is used for the design of facades, interior decoration, as well as for the creation of various decorative elements that will be subject to heavy loads.
  • Lightweight white concrete - used to create various lightweight structures with decorative elements, in the manufacture of tiles, imitation of natural stone, etc.

In general, architectural concrete is designed to solve two important problems:

  • Imitation of the surface of natural stone;
  • Ensuring the strength and reliability of the product.

As a rule, this material imitates the surface of sandstone. Moreover, in many respects it even surpasses him.

Compound

The composition of architectural concrete consists of the following ingredients:

Filler Most often, natural quartz sand is used as a filler. It is this that gives the material the structure of natural stone. Sometimes marble chips or finely ground glass are added to the composition, which also makes it possible to achieve interesting effect. Binder: Portland cement is used as a binder, preferably white. The quality of cement must be of the highest quality; any impurities in it are strictly prohibited. Coloring pigments This component is intended to color the material and make it even more similar to natural stone. Pigments are added at the stage of mixing the solution, so the product is colored throughout the mass. It must be said that pigments come in the most different colors, including very bright ones, however, for realistic imitation, natural shades should be used. Water must be clean, without any impurities. The quality of the material depends on this. Modifying additives These additives include plasticizers, antifoams, antifreeze additives, adhesives, etc. With their help, you can improve the properties of the material and give it certain properties. Crushed stone In some cases, crushed stone of certain types and the desired color range is added to the concrete composition. This allows you to give it strength and at the same time achieve a certain decorative effect.

Note! The proportions depend on the specifics of the products that will be made from this material, as well as the type of molding and some other factors.

Scheme of the mold for pressing

Molding Methods

Decorative concrete can be formed using different methods, so let’s take a closer look at them:

  • Tamping or stuffing is a manual method that can be used to obtain a product in rigid forms. It consists of pouring mortar and tamping using a metal rod or wooden stick. To improve the properties of the material, vibration installations can also be used.

This technology allows you to create products of medium and even high levels of complexity of shapes. As for the disadvantages, these include a high percentage of defects, as well as low strength of the products.

Vibrating table with concrete forms

  • The vibration pressing method is the basis this method vibration pressure up to 1 kg/cm2 is used. For molding, a special vibropress and molds are used.

Using this technology, various types of paving stones, paving slabs, and simple architectural forms are produced. Recently, polyurethane substrates have been used as forms, which make it possible to obtain a higher quality surface. The advantages of this method include high strength of products, good productivity and ease of manufacturing products.

Using pigments, this method can produce attractive colored tiles that can decorate any area or any courtyard.

  • Pressure pressing - when pouring using this technology, they use hydraulic presses and molds. In this case, molding is performed under a pressure of 50-500 kg/cm2. This technology of architectural concrete is used in the manufacture of thin-walled structures that have high strength and resistance to low temperatures.

The solution can also be poured into formwork or applied by spraying when performing various construction works.

Path lined with artificial stone

Production of decorative concrete

Manufacturing decorative concrete will save a significant amount, since the price of natural stone or paving slabs is much higher than the cost of self-made material.

The instructions look like this:

  • The production of architectural concrete begins with mixing cement and sand in a ratio of 1:3.
  • Next, water is added to the composition. In addition, at this stage the mass is colored with dye, and additives are also poured into it. The amount of additives in each individual case may vary; detailed instructions for their use are available on the packaging.
  • After obtaining a homogeneous mixture, crushed stone is added to the solution. As a rule, its content is 40% of the total mass. After thorough mixing, the composition will be ready for use.

Pigments for concrete

After preparing the solution, it is poured into formwork, which is pre-reinforced, or into special forms. During the pouring process, concrete is periodically compacted.

Advice! After hardening, concrete turns out to be very strong, so power tools with diamond attachments are used for mechanical processing. In particular, procedures such as cutting reinforced concrete with diamond wheels can be performed, diamond drilling holes in concrete or grinding diamond crowns.

Conclusion

The scope of application of decorative concrete is quite extensive, which is due to its many advantages. In particular, it will always find application in private households. As we found out, making architectural concrete with your own hands is quite simple (see also the article “Saw for concrete: types of cutting tools and application features”).

You can get more information on this topic from the video in this article.

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definition, types, features, types of processing and protection

Among all existing building materials, any concrete stands out for its versatility. But it is achieved mainly due to the presence of a very extensive list of concretes, each of which is ideal for certain tasks. One of these types is architectural concrete.

Definition

Architectural concrete – what is it? This material belongs to construction mixtures based on sand and cement. Various inorganic and mineral substances can be used as additives. It is used primarily to create decorative elements (statues or decorations on buildings), but in some cases it can also be used in the manufacture structural parts structures. Architectural concrete is also called polymer, acrylic, decorative or artistic. All these are synonyms.

Varieties

Depending on the composition and other features of architectural concrete, it is divided into three basic varieties:

  • Sculptural concrete.
  • Decorative concrete.
  • Geometric concrete.

The first option is characterized by the presence of both decorative and structural properties, which allows it to be used to create bas-reliefs, sculptures or overlays in the “wild stone” style. All these elements must combine both extensive opportunities for self made, and high strength of the final structure.

Second, decorative look architectural concrete, is used when it is necessary to impart decorative properties to ready-made structural elements. For example, it is usually used to decorate the interior and exterior of buildings. IN in this case High plasticity and a large number of opportunities for the designer’s work come first.

The last, geometric variety, is used mostly to create buildings or parts thereof. In this case, strength and other features associated specifically with construction are more important than with decoration, however, due to its properties, this type of concrete allows you to give buildings unique features and appearance, which would be much more difficult (or even impossible) to achieve in any other way.

Composition and features

The technology of architectural concrete used, as mentioned above, directly depends on the selected composition. If the emphasis is placed specifically on structural properties, then the material receives higher strength, resistance to damage, increased resistance to water, and so on. A lot has to do with what is required at the moment, what conditions the building will be in after construction is completed, and for what purposes it will be used. In the case of decorative properties, more emphasis is often placed on the texture or texture of the material.

To make the substance more plastic, plasticizers, polymers, mineral or chemical additives are added to the mixture. If it is necessary to obtain more serious reinforcing properties, sand, gravel, tuff or limestone are added. Among other things, in the production of architectural concrete, substances can be used to increase resistance to low temperatures, hardeners, sealants and other similar additives, of which there are a huge number. But to make it clean decorative properties Rocks, mica, quartzite, basalt, marble or granite particles are usually mixed in. Sometimes used colored glass or ceramic chips. And of course, dyes are actively used if the final product needs to be given a certain non-standard color.

General features of the material:

  • does not slip;
  • easy to clean;
  • perfectly absorbs sounds;
  • has protection against damage;
  • does not interact with sunlight;
  • withstands rain, wind, snow and other similar external factors impact;
  • retains its properties at temperatures from -50 to +50 degrees;
  • little weight;
  • hardens in the interval from 14 to 28 days;
  • does not allow gases and chlorides to pass through.

Almost any type of architectural concrete has all these properties, and other features are added to them, if necessary. For example, if a product made from such a material is supposed to be installed at too high or low a temperature, then with the help of additives the range of properties can be shifted in one direction or another.

Surface treatment

Depending on the type of architectural concrete, products made from it are subjected to in different ways processing.

Sculptural Concrete:

  • Hand painting.
  • Modeling.
  • Engraving.
  • Mechanical restoration.

Geometric concrete:

  • Machine polishing and grinding.
  • Sandblasting.
  • Exposure to acid.
  • Fire treatment.

Decorative concrete is mainly processed by applying various elements made from a variety of materials to its surface. They all imitate natural elements.

External protective coating

A special coating is usually applied on top of architectural concrete, increasing its protection from various factors.

  • Protection against drawings prevents vandals from spoiling the appearance of the product.
  • Protection from grease, dust and dirt maintains the perfect appearance of the structure.
  • Water-repellent coating ensures longer service life.
  • The decorative layer improves the appearance of the product.

The features of a particular protective coating directly depend on the type of concrete and the conditions in which the structure will be during operation. For example, a statue located in a hard-to-reach place, on the shore of a reservoir, will most likely receive protection from water, but not from drawing.

Results

Architectural concrete as such appeared relatively recently, about 50 years ago. Since then it has been actively used in different countries both for construction and for creating decorative elements. This material cannot be called cheap, but most of the costs go not to the building mixture itself, but to the work of designers, artists, decorators, architects and everyone who gives this or that product its final appearance.

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Architectural concrete and method of its production

Architectural concrete and the method of its production refer to concrete mixtures and methods for their production and are intended for use in construction. Architectural concrete includes aggregate - sand and crushed stone and binder - cement, characterized by the maximum total contact surface of the binder with the aggregate, and the following ratio of components (in weight%): cement 10-20, sand 25-40, crushed stone 30-55. The method of producing Architectural concrete consists in selecting crushed stone of a given rock and is distinguished by the fact that the granulometric composition of the aggregate is selected and adjusted through repeated comparison of granulometric analysis data with ideal granulometric composition data. 2 s. and 2 salary f-ly.

The invention relates to concrete mixtures and methods for their production and is intended for use in construction.

Known concrete, including aggregate and cement binder. The disadvantage of known concrete is high consumption cement, which reduces the architectural merits of concrete, as well as the presence of a dye in cement, which reduces the light and alkali resistance of concrete. The closest to the invention is artificial marble, which includes white sand filler and crushed stone from crushed quartz and cement binder. The method for producing known concrete involves selecting crushed stone of a given quartz rock. Known concrete and the method for its production have the following disadvantages: increased content cement, the presence of a dye, a decrease in the light and alkali resistance of concrete, which complicates the production of large batches of uniformly colored products. The objective of the invention is to increase the strength and aesthetic characteristics of concrete and its durability. The problem is solved due to the fact that architectural concrete, including sand and crushed stone filler, and white cement binder, characterized by the maximum total contact surface of the binder with the aggregate, which reduces the amount of cement in concrete and helps improve strength and aesthetic qualities, has the following ratio of components (weight): Cement 10-20 Sand 25 40 Crushed stone 30 55 In addition, architectural concrete may differ in that: it contains crushed stone of a given color range; provides imitation of various types of stone; helps improve the aesthetic qualities of concrete; contains a superplasticizer in an amount of up to 3% by weight of cement; helps improve the quality of concrete and solve the problem. The problem is also solved by the fact that the method of manufacturing architectural concrete, in which crushed stone of a given rock is selected, differs in that the granulometric composition of the filler is selected and adjusted through repeated comparison of granulometric analysis data with ideal granulometric composition data, which ensures the maximum total contact surface of the binder with the aggregate a given granulometric composition, helping to reduce the amount of cement in concrete, thus increasing its strength and aesthetic qualities. Architectural concrete includes sand and crushed stone of various species, a given color range, cement, which can be ordinary or white, can also include a superplasticizer, for example, LSTI-2, in the following component ratios, Cement 10-20 Sand 25-40 Crushed stone 30-55 Superplasticizer up to 3% by weight of cement. The mixture for the production of architectural concrete contains water in an amount of 3-8% by weight of the mixture. The method of manufacturing architectural concrete consists in selecting crushed stone and sand of specified rocks, determined by the required color range of architectural concrete, while the granulometric composition of the sand and crushed stone aggregate is selected and adjusted through repeated comparison of granulometric analysis data with ideal granulometric composition data, which allows obtaining the maximum total surface contact of the binder with the aggregate. These components are mixed in a concrete mixer for 1-3 minutes. The resulting mixture is placed on a pre-prepared mold tray and kept for 15 minutes. Selection of the granulometric composition of architectural concrete, ensuring the maximum total contact surface of the cement gel with the filler, promotes rapid hardening of concrete, ensures high strength characteristics of 30-60 NPa in compression, 7-8 MPa in tension, uniform coloring of the given color range of the entire batch of products, high light and alkali resistance of concrete, variety of imitated architectural concrete natural stones. Such indicators of architectural concrete provide the possibility of its use both as finishing concrete with high physical and technical capabilities, and as structural concrete with high aesthetic properties. The choice of one or another use option depends on economic feasibility. Examples of the composition of architectural concrete: (weight) Composition 1: Cement 10 Sand 39 Crushed stone 40 Water 8 Superplasticizer 3. Composition 2: Cement 20 Sand 24 Crushed stone 49 Water 6 Superplasticizer 1. Concrete is compacted using vibration, the frequency and amplitude of which is predetermined . The source of vibration is a vibrator, the location of which is also predetermined. When treating the surface of concrete using chemical and mechanical methods, including grinding and polishing, it makes it possible to expose the aggregate of a given color range and ensure the production of a surface of products with high artistic expressiveness. The texture of architectural concrete is determined by the correct selection of aggregate fractions - the ratio of coarse and fine aggregate. The granulometric composition is selected using the ideal schedule method. The ideal schedule is based on at least four grain analysis of the aggregate and comparison of the analysis data with the reference composition. Based on the results of the granulometric analysis, if necessary, the composition of the concrete mixture is adjusted with the addition of the necessary fractions in the required quantities. The industrial applicability of architectural concrete and the method of its production is determined by the above factors and the indicators of concrete and is confirmed by tests. The selection of the granulometric composition using the ideal graph method was carried out using computer programs.

Claim

1. Architectural concrete, including sand and crushed stone aggregate and cement binder, characterized in that the concrete has a maximum total contact surface of the binder with the aggregate and the following ratio of components, wt. Cement 10 20 Sand 25 40 Crushed stone 30 55 2. Concrete according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains crushed stone of a given color range. 3. Concrete according to claim 1, characterized in that it contains a superplasticizer in an amount of up to 3% by weight of cement. 4. A method for producing architectural concrete, in which crushed stone of a given rock is selected, characterized in that the granulometric composition of the aggregate is selected and adjusted through repeated comparison of granulometric analysis data with ideal granulometric composition data.

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Architectural concrete - what is it, technology and composition

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Using cement mortars in construction you won’t surprise anyone. The scope of application of such material has become so extensive that it has already begun to be divided into masonry, finishing, starting mixture for concrete pumps, etc. But the most interesting can be called architectural concrete. This article will tell you what it is, what components are used for its production and for what purposes it is used.

See also road concrete.

What is called architectural mortar?

In the vast majority of cases, this is the name for a solution made of white Portland cement, the task of which is to ensure aesthetics and maximum resistance of future products to various influences.

The desire to obtain a high level of resistance to destructive influences is quite natural. For example, this is simply necessary when creating architectural elements from a similar solution.

It is also worth noting that architectural concrete is divided into types depending on the intended use.

White decorative

It is used to create products that will constantly succumb to destructive influences and enormous loads - finishing facades, creating elements decorative purposes etc.

For construction monolithic structures and parts of the structure that will be subject to a large load-bearing load are used heavy concrete.

White light

This mixture is more suitable for the manufacture of tiles, stone-imitating elements and other products that are not designed to withstand high pressure on the surface.

What does it contain?

When buying concrete from a manufacturer, you need to understand that everyone can use their own recipe in production - the main thing is that the resulting mixture complies with GOST standards. But let's look at the most commonly used components from which architectural concrete is made:

    Binding component. As mentioned earlier, it is white Portland cement. It must be of high quality and have the purest possible structure without third-party components.

    Fillers. The main task of the concrete mixture is to achieve a believable imitation of a stone surface. That is why quartz sand is added to the composition. In some cases, crushed marble or glass may be used.

    Water. It must be clean and free of impurities.

    Dye. Special pigments of a certain color are added at the preparation stage. With their help you can get a stone duplicate in the desired color design. It would be great if such a component would insignificantly reduce the performance characteristics of the material.

    Modifiers. Manufacturers add them to increase resistance to shock, frost, sun and other important characteristics. This can be an additive, substances to prevent foaming, a plasticizer for concrete, etc.

In some cases, it is also possible to add crushed stone. It is used to increase durability and is selected according to color needs.

Now you know what architectural concrete is and what it is made from. You can see other types of concrete solutions and their prices from the manufacturer in the website catalog. Presented there finishing concrete M100, masonry mortar, starting mixture, etc.

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architectural decor without borders:: Articles

One of the oldest building materials is reaching new heights. Take the history of the last 100-150 years: first concrete is just a foundation, then load-bearing frame, in the post-war years, in modernist boxes, concrete is used to the maximum for everything (for speed and cheapness), and then finds itself in disgrace along with modernism and under the pressure of environmentalists.

Various experiments by manufacturers are also contributing to the revival of interest in concrete. They learned how to make it colored and snow-white, smooth and textured, with deep relief and printed patterns, more bending strength with less thickness. On the facades of some buildings made of concrete panels or blocks, “the most primitive building material” is unrecognizable. Let's take a closer look at how this happens.

“RAW” texture: we use a natural look

Let's start with the fact that the texture of concrete itself, before any processing, is very decorative. Here are the traces removable formwork They add charm and that pleasant wear and tear that appears on the concrete surface over time - under the influence of atmospheric influences.

An unmistakable sign of the universal recognition of concrete as a decorative material is the fact that it is used to decorate the interiors of schools and kindergartens. For example, the ES/EB3 Braamcamp Freire secondary school in Lisbon is concrete both outside and inside, and coupled with the ingenious geometry of the spaces, this is very impressive. True, so far such examples are found mainly in Europe, but the slogan “All the best for children” is far from alien to them.

High School ES/EB3 Braamcamp Freire, Lisbon, Portugal. Arch. CVDB, 2012

The same fact is supported by the increasing number of cases where people, so to speak, of sober mind and solid memory, order private houses made of concrete - no, not faceless gray boxes, but designer buildings with excellent thermal insulation (such are the properties of concrete!) and unusual performance.

There is no need for even complex plastics in the volumetric-spatial solution: a solid rectangular wall cast from concrete can already look like an art panel. Suffice it to recall the residential buildings of the Greek bureau tense, which we wrote about - on the island of Euboea and in sunny Attica.

Residential building in Sikamino, Greece. Arch. tense architecture network

A rare and labor-intensive technique was used by the Chilean architect Matias Zegers. To build the walls, the color of the scorched Chilean sands, concrete was poured by hand not just on site, but in small batches over many days, layer by layer, just as brick walls are laid out. And each layer, as it dried, absorbed all the features of the day when it was flooded, be it searing heat, a dust storm or pouring rain. That is why the texture of the concrete wall immediately appeared with a touch of “noble antiquity.”

Private house Casa Mirador, Chile. Arch. Matthias Segers

Color layout: adding pigments to the composition

The easiest way to make concrete stand out even more is to add color. Instead of painting the facade, pigments are added to the material. They resist wear and ultraviolet radiation many times longer. The most common pigment for coloring concrete is iron oxide in nature, but there are other “coloring” techniques. Use colored cements or acid etching, which removes upper layer and exposes natural, no longer “gray” aggregates.

Although the color palette of concrete cannot be called diverse. Almost all of it is shown on the façade of the Yard House office center in London. The walls of the building were made from concrete tiles, cast directly on the construction site.

Yard House office center, London, UK. Arch. Assembly, 2012

And yet, even one shade - provided that the proportion of concrete in the total mass of the structure is sufficiently large - radically changes its appearance. Imagine, say, that the outdoor furniture for the Sigmundshof garden in Berlin were simply “gray concrete”: here the surface of the seats changes color even depending on the lighting and viewing angle.

Interacting with light: reflecting and highlighting

In addition to bright colors, lighting technologies are also used. Outdoor furniture for the Sigmundshof garden in Berlin is made from concrete, which reflects light. Moreover, both natural and artificial, and such concrete can be used, for example, to highlight and “highlight” dangerous places on stairs, roads, etc.

Outdoor furniture made of reflective concrete in Sigmundshof, Berlin, Germany. Arch. Suzanne Hoffman

But even without a certain practical benefit, concrete with reflective particles, which are usually distributed over the surface in a chaotic manner, attracts the eye. By the way, Mexican scientists recently came up with fluorescent cement: for now it glows only for 12 hours, but over time, concrete coatings with luminous cement may replace technical lighting of buildings and roads in dark time days.

Reflective concrete, Hering International

“Photoconcrete”: applying images to the wall

Various images can be printed on concrete, although not color in the full sense of the word. More precisely, not to print, but to engrave, and in two different ways.

The first is called photolithography: the image is converted to a black-and-white raster and printed as a stencil on a special film. After this, a compound is applied to the film that slows down the setting of the concrete, and the darker the area, the more compound is required. The thus processed “stencil” is placed in the formwork and poured with concrete, and after about 24 hours, by removing the formwork and washing the surface with water, you can see the developed image.

It was in this way that the facades of a student dormitory in Montreal were decorated with footage from an old black and white film that tells about a fire that happened in these places a century ago.

Student residence Edison Residence, Montreal, Canada. Arch. KANVA, 2014

The second method of engraving on concrete is photogravure. The image is again made in black and white and, using a computer, decomposed into 256 shades of gray. The result is no longer transferred to film, but to a flexible matrix, which is “imprinted” into the concrete surface as many times as desired. That is, if you need to reproduce the same image, then it is better to use this method, which, moreover, is more economical and gives excellent quality.

One of the famous examples of photogravure is the Museum of Architectural Drawing of the Sergei Tchoban Foundation in Berlin. The motif that was covered concrete plates facades, borrowed from Pietro Gonzago. It was with the drawing of the Italian that the collection now presented in the museum once began.

Museum of Architectural Drawing, Berlin, Germany. Arch. SPEECH, 2013

Relief and openwork: moving into volume

Ornaments on concrete can easily take on a third dimension. The slots can be through, turning the slab into patterned lace, or they can remove layers different thicknesses, forming inscriptions or simply enriching the natural texture of concrete. Both approaches were shown by Manuel Gautran in the expansion of the Lille Museum of Art.

The walls of the museum contrast especially brightly at night, when the seemingly impenetrable monolith begins to glow in places. By the way, some of the facades of the Museum of Architectural Drawings are also made in relief using this technology.

Because the “strongest” modern architecture made of concrete, along with its “superficial” manifestations of decorativeness, cannot help but use “classical” tools - games with light, space, layout of volumes, expanding its capabilities to that very infinity.

Extension of the LaM Museum, Lille, France. Arch. Manuelle Gautrand, 2010

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Architectural concrete - Production of Architectural concrete - Textures and facades made of architectural concrete - archstone Moscow

Decorstroy company objects

We will design, manufacture, deliver and install facade decor in any region of Russia.

Architectural decor of the facade

Architectural precast concrete is used in the implementation of large prestigious construction and infrastructure projects with pronounced individual characteristics. The ability to manufacture assembly modules from architectural concrete of almost any shape and size, as well as the unique combination of high strength with relatively low weight, guarantee the growth of its popularity among the architectural community and construction organizations. The mobility of our concrete production allows the architect to show all the uniqueness and individuality of the building, to apply avant-garde approaches to design, leaving such a concept as a standard solution for budget construction.

Strengthening the strength of architectural concrete while reducing the weight of assembly modules is achieved by glass fiber reinforcement, as in the production of most modern composite materials. The technology we use for manufacturing parts ensures the main properties of a facade made of architectural concrete - lightness, strength, durability. Installation work We carry them out at the site year-round, since “wet processes” are excluded. The service life of such a facade coincides with the service life of the entire building.

Architectural concrete as a building design element

In modern architecture, concrete has long ceased to be just a building material. Architectural concrete is today an integral part modern architecture and is an outstanding high-tech material.

In addition to its original use in the field of design, the development of architectural concrete as a building material has led to its formation as a center of modern architecturally attractive construction.

Architectural concrete is a type of concrete and has ideal characteristics for creating various shapes and surface textures.

Having knowledge about the most modern technologies in the field of concrete, our team is ready to implement any architectural project using architectural concrete.

Advantages of architectural concrete

Unlike conventional cladding systems, which usually form flat surfaces of facades, architectural concrete, manufactured according to molds, allows architects to design individual design solutions for buildings under construction. These can be complex volumetric elements with different surface textures, thematic relief, floral or geometric patterns. Modern architectural concrete is not just a material - it is a product, a façade element, structural element, finished module, relief panel.

Cost of architectural concrete

Since any customer, in addition to the aesthetic component, is no less, and maybe even more, concerned about the project budget, our design department offers the most optimal options unification of architectural concrete elements, as this is one of the significant ways to save money.

Our work experience certainly confirms that the creation of a facade design from prefabricated architectural concrete should go in parallel with the development design solutions the company that will implement the project. Collaboration between architect and construction organization should begin as early as possible - at the stage of developing the concept of the future facade.

Archikamen Moscow

An example of the implementation of architectural concrete is the new shopping mall on Radishchev Street in Yekaterinburg. Details of our company’s implementation of this project can be seen on the “Turnkey Facade” page.

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DIY architectural concrete is very original solution to decorate your country cottage area or a private house. Thanks to decorative solution It is possible to create an imitation of any coating.

Architectural concrete is used to create decorative structures and imitate any coatings.

In order to independently carry out the work of creating decorative concrete, you need the following materials and tools.

  • concrete mixer;
  • concrete mixture;
  • liquid or powder dye;
  • leveling spatula;
  • Master OK;
  • release agent;
  • texture matrix;
  • washing machine at 200 atmospheres;
  • protective solution for concrete;
  • rollers.

Instructions for performing work

So, below are the steps by following which you can create an exclusive coating yourself.

Before you start making architectural concrete, you need to decide on the color and texture of the future product.

  1. The first step is to decide on the desired color and texture. These parameters are selected taking into account the environment and the buildings located around the perimeter. Specialists in landscape design When using drawings with lines, it is advised to place them in such a way that the long lines lie perpendicular to the length of the section. This will visually smooth out the unevenness in the lines. The direction in which the work will be carried out is also immediately determined.
  2. Choice of concrete composition. In order to choose the right mixture, it is necessary to take into account the specifics of the area. For this purpose, you can use the most popular mixtures that slow down the absorption of moisture or that absorb it. The main thing is that they do not contain calcium chloride, that is, those mixtures that, due to their composition, retain air. It should also be noted that some impurities, when reacting with concrete, change its color.
  3. The concrete solution is being painted. Concrete is a rather specific material, but it can also be painted.

There are ways to do this:

The paint spraying method involves applying paint to freshly poured concrete.

  1. Integral painting. This method is used when it is very important that the entire slab is painted evenly; for this, liquid dye is added to the almost ready-made solution and finally mixed using a concrete mixer.
  2. Spraying paint. Using colored hardener powder, the required areas are painted, the paint is applied to freshly poured concrete and absorbed to a depth of approximately 0.3 cm. When the excess water is gone, the paint drips will become wet, and they need to be rubbed over the entire surface with a leveling spatula. A trowel may be needed if minor imperfections arise.
  3. Applying an anti-adhesive agent to the concrete solution. This substance will prevent the matrices from sticking (with its help, the concrete is given the appropriate texture) to the wet concrete mixture. The average proportion is 1.5 kg of anti-adhesive powder per 10 m². They begin to cover the surface only after the consistency of the concrete reaches the point where it can be worked with by extrusion. It must have a uniform coating between the surface and the textures of the matrices, and it must be controlled that its thickness prevents the seepage of concrete, but does not spoil the textural ornament.
  4. Applying texture to concrete. If you work with properly prepared concrete, pressing in the matrices will not require much effort. At this stage it is very important to control the time, so it is better when the press occurs without interruption. It is necessary to constantly monitor the work so that if there is the slightest discrepancy, everything can be corrected.

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Do you need help at work?

To make it easier to cope with the load, it is recommended to work with four people.

The first person is responsible for placing the release agent on the matrices and on the concrete composition, leveling it, and also monitoring defects, and can help the rest of the team.

The second person deals specifically with the matrices, because all the final work will depend on the starting point. The main thing is to remember that the laying of the matrices should be butt-to-edge in order to avoid unnecessary seams in the ornament.

For small working surfaces, it is enough to use 3 matrices.

When working with architectural concrete, special matrices are used.

They must be laid in turn: first, second, third, and then, having freed the first, start again in a circle.

The third person is intended for work on pressing the dies. They should be worked in such a way that the indentation occurs only vertically, without using excessive force. In general, if judged objectively, the first and second work processes can be performed by one person.

The fourth person must carefully remove the matrices from the concrete. This is quite a scrupulous job, since it is necessary to control that the pattern is not disturbed and the edges of the matrix are not sucked in. Once the relief plate is removed, it is passed to the first worker who makes a new press.

After finishing applying the pattern using matrices to the concrete, it is given about a day to dry. Next, the surface needs to be washed and it is best to use it for this purpose. washing machine with a pressure of 200 atmospheres. But this work should be carried out very carefully, since a strong jet can damage the concrete surface. This procedure is designed to get rid of excess anti-adhesive. If you want to add originality, you can adjust the distance (between the satin surface and the water nozzle) to wash out not all the powder, leaving it in the seams and recesses. Thus, architectural concrete takes on the appearance of aging and shadows are added to its texture.

After concrete surface will dry after water procedures, it is opened with a protective coating. Such solutions are sold in construction stores. Experts recommend using 4.5 liters of solution per 20 m² of space. For better elaboration, two layers are required, which should lie perpendicular to one another. It is necessary to ensure that residues do not accumulate in the corners. After which the floor is given time to dry.

Concrete is a universal building material that finds its application in a wide variety of areas, from the construction of roads, houses and ending with the production of a wide variety of decorative products. In the latter case, architectural concrete is used. You can prepare it yourself at home, and then use it to create unusual, attractive shapes, including thin-walled ones.

The concrete contains ingredients such as: Portland cement D0-400 M-500, purified quartz sand, slaked ground lime.

This composition differs from the usual one in its resistance to sudden temperature changes, high moisture, and other influences. With its help, you can create amazingly attractive forms that imitate natural stone, which can be an excellent decoration for any structure.

Types of architectural concrete and its composition

Architectural concrete is divided into several separate groups, each of which is intended for certain types of work:

Concrete classification scheme by grade.

  • white decorative concrete is used in the design of facades, halls, and when creating a wide variety of decorative elements that will not be subject to heavy loads;
  • white lightweight concrete is used to create lightweight structures with decorative elements such as stairs, tiles, to imitate natural stone, etc.

Architectural concrete is designed to solve two important problems:

  • imitate the surface of natural stone;
  • maintain the strength and stability of concrete.

Most often, the surface of natural sandstone is imitated, since this option is the simplest. Often the surface not only imitates stone, but also exceeds it in many characteristics. Such qualities are given to concrete by its composition. Among the ingredients of the decorative concrete mixture, the following apply:

  1. Natural quartz sand is most often used as a filler, which gives the structure of the stone. Therefore, many types of concrete products are called reclaimed sandstone.

    When ordering any decorative products, if you are offered sandstone for finishing, check whether it will be natural stone or its imitation, since the cost varies greatly.

  2. The binder is Portland cement, which must be grayish or white (which is preferable) in color. The quality of cement must be of the highest quality; its composition must not contain any impurities.
  3. Coloring pigments are necessary to make the product even more similar to natural stone. Pigments are introduced at the mixing stage, as a result it will be possible to paint the product completely over the entire mass. That is, additional coloring is no longer necessary, and the product itself will not fade or peel during use. Modern production offers a wide variety of shades, including very bright ones, but to obtain maximum imitation it is better to use natural ones.
  4. In any case, the composition of concrete must contain clean water without impurities, since the quality of the resulting products will depend on this. It is important to add the correct amount of water.
  5. Modifying additives, which include plasticizers, antifoams, adhesives, and frost-resistant additives. The composition and volume of such additives should be different in each individual case. It depends on what product will be produced, what molding technology is used to produce architectural products. In addition, such additives provide additional strength, resistance to mechanical damage, shock, sudden changes in temperature and humidity.

The selection of proportions to prepare will depend on the specifics of the products that you want to make from it.

Methods for forming architectural concrete products

Architectural concrete can be subjected to various molding methods, let's look at them in more detail.

Diagram of the ratio of components in a concrete mixture.

Stuffing, or tamping, is a manual method that produces the desired product in rigid shapes. It is used to create DIY products of medium and high complexity. Among the advantages of this method, it is necessary to note the possibility of obtaining quite complex geometry and the rapid turnover of architectural forms.

Concrete contains ingredients such as:

  • Portland cement D0-400 M-500;
  • purified quartz sand;
  • slaked ground lime.

Among the disadvantages, it should be noted low strength and frost resistance, a high percentage of defects, the inability to transfer a very fine structure, and high labor intensity. In addition, all ingredients used must be of high quality.

The vibration pressing method is based on vibration with a pressure of up to 1 kg/sq.cm. For molding, molds and vibrating presses are used. In this way, various types of paving slabs, paving stones, and the simplest architectural forms are made. Recently, polyurethane substrates have been used as forms, which makes it possible to obtain a higher quality surface. Among the advantages, it is necessary to note the high productivity and ease of manufacture, the durability of the tiles. Using special pigments and plasticizers, you can get attractive colored tiles that can decorate any patio or area.

Pressing under pressure of 50-500 kg/sq.m. cm through the use of hydraulic presses and molds. This method is used for the manufacture of thin-walled products that are characterized by the highest strength and resistance to frost.

We prepare architectural forms using vibration casting and vibration rolling

Diagram of concrete macrostructures.

Vibratory casting is a method when architectural concrete is poured into special molds on vibrating platforms with your own hands; it is possible to use deep vibrators. It is used for the manufacture of most types of building and architectural forms. Let's apply this method at home.

The advantages of the method include: decorativeness, high quality, resistance to frost, reproduction of any architectural form and surface, low costs, low requirements for ingredients, adherence to technology, since the process itself is extremely simple. The disadvantages include high production costs, rather limited productivity, and very slow turnover of the molds used.

Vibratory rolling is a rather exotic type of forming products from architectural concrete. It is produced using not only vibration, but also extrusion and centrifugation. Using this method, you can quickly obtain round products such as columns and balusters.

Architectural concrete is a special type of concrete mixture that is used for the manufacture of various decorative and finishing products. The composition of such concrete is somewhat different from traditional one, as are the methods for molding products of the required shape.