High strength concrete with better toughness and workability is suitable for the construction sector in Goa’s harsh marine environment, as it offers long-term durability, minimises environmental degradation and ensures economic benefits.This was the opinion voiced by speakers comprising well-known experts from the concrete industry in India, while they were delivering a talk at a day-long workshop, "High strength, high performance ready mixed concrete – a need of the day", organised by Goa Engineering College (GEC) at Farmagudi. The institute had recently made a case for the use of this economically viable material.
The Indian Standard Code 456-2000 classifies concrete into three categories – ordinary concrete (strength from 10-20MPa), standard concrete (25-55MPa) and high strength concrete (60-80MPa and above).Though its initial cost is higher than that of the conventional one, it works out to be economical. Stronger concrete in construction enhances the service life of the structure and the need for repairs is low, as the structure suffers less damage, the speakers said."An estimated 60 per cent of cement produced in the country is being used for repairs alone, as the structures are built with ordinary cement," said KG Guptha, head of GEC’s civil engineering department and chairman of the workshop.
The speakers also encouraged various cement plants to produce better grade cement. With ordinary concrete vulnerable to damage, this stronger, enhanced cement reduces costs and enhances structural stability.