Fun Fact: Burj Khalifa, Dubai Made principally from reinforced concrete, this building is not only the world’s tallest concrete building but also the highest man-made structure. It stands 828 meters high with 163 floors. Has the highest observation deck, swimming pool, restaurant, and fountain.
Fun Fact: In 1963, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign built the first sports arena with a concrete dome that is 400’ in diameter, 125’ high and weighs 10 million pounds. The Assembly Hall arena, which resembles a flying saucer and seats over 16,000 people in a perfect concrete circle, is known as Assembly Hall. …
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Modern cement was invented in 1824 by Joseph Aspdin of England. He named it after Portland, England. Today Portland cement is the most common ingredient in concrete.
The Empire State Building used 62,000 cubic yards of concrete. Open on May 1, 1931 it was the tallest building in the world at 1,250’, located in New York City 34th Street and 5th Avenue. The last rivet was ceremoniously placed – it was sold gold. Constructed in 1 year and 45 days, the build…
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The first concrete pavement constructed in the U.S. was Court Ave, built next to Logan County Courthouse in Bellefontaine, Ohio. George W. Bartholomew who founded the Buckeye Portland Cement Company, built the section in 1891 after advocating for it for a few years. He had to post a $5,000 bond for a 5 year guarantee. After…
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Friday Fun Fact: Concrete was used as a building material in ancient Rome. They mixed lime, water and a volcanic ash from Mount Vesuvius, mixed in fragments of volcanic rock and called it “Pozzolana”. The Roman civil engineer Vitruvius wrote of 4 types of pozzolana – Black, Grey, Red and White. Roman concrete was forgotten…
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Friday Fun Fact: Concrete has hit approximately 90% of its final strength after four weeks. However, due to the conversion of calcium hydroxide into calcium carbonate and the absorption of carbon dioxide over time, it continues to strengthen for decades. Some bacteria also help in the strengthening of concrete! HAPPY EASTER
Friday Fun Fact: Thomas Edison has over 49 patents that use concrete. Edison was the first to contract and live in a precast concrete home. In 1922 Yankee Stadium “the house that Ruth built” was actually built by Edison. Built in the Bronx took just 284 days from start to finish, using: 45,000 barrels of…
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