ConcreteP7D

Introducing, Concrete Mania ! We Make it Quick, We Make it Strong, We Make it to Last Long! -Nichole Formicola, Kyle Van Den Heuvel, and Briana Setnitzky-

Thank you for choosing our company. Here is our plan to help as much as we can! We won't let you down. Its our job!

After the disastrous earthquake, Haiti is in need of some rebuilding help. By rebuilding and repairing their homes, we can help them rebuild their lives and start over in the right direction for a better future. Due to the power of the earthquake, the buildings became very unstable and crumbled to the ground. Our concrete is bound to be more efficient and strong; we can definitely take on this job. Therefore, concrete, from Concrete Mania, is the solution to this task. What makes our concrete the best contender for this job? Well first of all, concrete is used more than any other man-made material in the world. Therefore, it is a very reliable source for rebuilding; the perfect match for this tedious job. We can do it! Just ask Concrete Mania ..We make it Quick, We make it Strong, We make it to Last Long!

First of all, you need to know and understand that concrete solidifies, or gets harder and turns solid after water and other materials are mixed into it. The water binds the cement mixture as well as the other contents making a stone like material. This is basically what concrete is: a solid, hard, stone. The warmer the water or the hotter the temperature, the quicker the mixture will solidify. Overall, making concrete is a chemical process not a drying process. Now, you have to remember in order to get concrete as an end result, you have to add all the different ingredients. This includes the cement mixture which helps keep the other materials together. It sets and hardens quickly, combining with the different aggregate solutions. The cement is the dry, powdery substance used to hold the aggregates and other materials together to make the concrete. The aggregates consists of sand, gravel, and crushed stone. They can either be a fine or course powder, making up a bulk of the concrete mixture in the end. Specific gravel and stone aggregates don't have to be part of a concrete mixture. There are some kinds that are added for a more decorative look, but they are not necessary; it can be done without.

By combining the cement with the aggregates,especially sand, we will get a durable and strong solution against environmental conditions...concrete! The water and cement mixture with the aggregates included is essential to making this solution. Concrete is perfect for rebuilding new stores and homes for the people in Haiti. Some problems and issues when dealing with the production of concrete is how much of each ingredient you add. The more water added into the cement mixture, the more free flowing and loose the concrete will become. Less water makes the concrete more strong and solid. This is what we are aiming for. Therefore, when coming up with our recipe, we took close consideration with these elements. Finally, you must watch out for cracking in the cement because then entire concrete mixture, or final product, will be less stable. When moisture seeps and comes in contact with the concrete, this causes a major problem. Spalling is when the top layer of the concrete appears to be chipped and cracked, basically deteriorating as time goes on. Dusting also can happen when the concrete is exposed to rain for a certain amount of time. Crazing and blistering can also occur.

Finally, with the cement, sand, and water, our concrete will be very strong, smooth, and durable. It will prove to be very useful and beneficial to the people of Haiti. We chose grey Portland cement from Central Irrigation because it is efficient as well as cheaper than white cement. Along with that, we chose

INCLUDE COMPANIES AND COST IN THIS EXPLANATION- The concrete mixture that we, Concrete Mania, are going to produce to help support the rebuilding efforts in Haiti consists of 4 quarts of Sekrete grey sand mixed with 2 and 1/2 quarts Central Irrigation Portland cement and then 1 and 3/4 quarts of water. We will let this air dry for about 24 hours(ideal), and then we can ship the concrete blocks to Haiti and be successful in this project!


 * Recipes: (with sources)**

**Final Recipe:** 4 quarts Sekrete grey sand 2 1/2 quarts Portland cement 1 3/4 quarts water

**Recipe #1:** http://www.associatedcontent.com/article/529545/mixing_your_own_concrete_the_recipe.html

2 ¾ parts stone and gravel aggregate 2 ½ parts sand 1 part cement ½ part water


 * Recipe #2 - Basic Concrete without Aggregate**: http://www.gardenmolds.com/pages/resources/concrete.html

2 1/2 quarts Portland cement, white or grey 5 quarts sand, white or grey 1 3/4 - 2 quarts water

Mix the dry ingredients well. Slowly add water until the concrete is workable. Don't add all of the water at once- you may not need the full amount. Continue to add water until the mixture resembles a thick pancake batter.


 * Recipe #3 - Basic Concrete with Aggregate**:from above source

2 quarts Portland cement, white or grey 4 quarts sand, white or grey 3 quarts aggregate- rock, pumice, etc. 1 1/2- 1 3/4 quarts water

Mix the dry ingredients well. Slowly add water until the concrete is workable. Don't add all of the water at once- you may not need the full amount. Continue to add water until the mixture resembles a thick pancake batter.

Perlite is an ultra-light, glassy volcanic rock. Added to a concrete mix in higher percentages, it creates an interesting pock-marked, antiqued look in the finished stone. 2 quarts Portland cement, white or grey 3 quarts sand, white or grey 3 quarts perlite 1 quart water
 * Recipe #4 Concrete with Perlite**:from above source

Mix the dry ingredients well. Slowly add water. This mixture doesn't contain as much water as a standard concrete recipe because the finished stone should have a more open, porous texture. Therefore add water until the mix resembles a crumbly cookie dough. Press the mix firmly into the mold.

A properly designed concrete mixture will possess the desired workability for the fresh concrete and the required durability and strength for the hardened concrete. Typically, a mix is about 10 to 15 percent cement, 60 to 75 percent aggregate and 15 to 20 percent water. Entrained air in many concrete mixes may also take up another 5 to 8 percent.
 * Extra Information on Percentages Associated with the production of Concrete:**

[] For Concrete Sand and Portland Cement
 * Sites for Final Cost**:

http://www.cement.org/basics/concretebasics_concretebasics.asp' http://www.concretedecor.net/Abstracts/CD306_Moisture_Problems.cfm http://wi-resurfacing.com/concreteproblems.htm http://www.gardenmolds.com/pages/resources/concrete.html
 * More Sources:**