Concrete sheet (fabric), rolled concrete: technical characteristics, pros and cons

Concrete sheet, sometimes referred to as rolled concrete, is a contemporary and adaptable building material that is becoming more and more common in building projects. This novel product makes installation and transportation simple by fusing the strength and longevity of concrete with the pliability of fabric. Concrete sheets are a practical solution for a range of applications, whether they are being used for new construction or repairs.

The remarkable technical qualities of concrete sheet are one of its most notable features. Usually, it is made of a fabric that has been impregnated with cement and is easily rolled out and shaped to fit various surfaces. After the sheet is installed, it is hydrated with water to activate the cement and help it solidify into a long-lasting layer. This procedure guarantees a sturdy and long-lasting product that can be applied to both transient and permanent constructions.

The use of rolled concrete has various benefits. Because it can be swiftly deployed without the need for large machinery, its simplicity of installation lowers labor costs and time spent on the job site. Because of its flexibility, the material can take on a variety of forms and surfaces, which makes it perfect for intricate or asymmetrical structures. Furthermore, concrete sheets offer superior resistance against weather, chemicals, and physical wear, guaranteeing a lengthy service life with little upkeep.

There are, however, a few disadvantages to take into account. For some projects, the initial cost of concrete sheets may be prohibitive because of their higher cost when compared to conventional concrete methods. Furthermore, even though the material is strong, not all load-bearing applications—especially those that need a lot of structural support—may be appropriate for it. It is essential to handle and install the material properly to guarantee that it performs as intended.

In general, concrete sheets provide a performance and convenience combination that can be advantageous for a variety of building projects. Builders may choose when and how to use this cutting-edge material by being aware of its technical features, benefits, and limitations.

Characteristic	Concrete Sheet (Fabric)	Rolled Concrete
Strength	High tensile strength due to fabric reinforcement	High compressive strength
Flexibility	Flexible and can be molded into shapes	Rigid and not easily molded
Installation	Requires less equipment, easy to transport	Requires heavy machinery for installation
Durability	Resistant to cracking and weathering	Highly durable under heavy loads
Cost	Generally more expensive per square foot	Cost-effective for large projects
Usage	Suitable for repairs and small-scale applications	Ideal for large-scale infrastructure projects
Pros	Lightweight, easy to install, versatile	Strong, long-lasting, cost-efficient for large areas
Cons	Higher cost, not as strong under heavy loads	Heavy, requires more equipment for installation

Concrete sheets, sometimes referred to as rolled concrete or concrete fabric, provide creative answers for a range of building requirements. These flexible, simple-to-install materials offer strength and durability that are on par with conventional concrete, plus the advantages of speedy application and lower labor costs. They are perfect for protecting slopes, lining channels, and controlling erosion. They do have some drawbacks, though, such as a higher initial cost and particular installation requirements, even though they have amazing benefits like portability and low maintenance. In many applications, concrete sheets offer a flexible and effective substitute for traditional concrete.

Technical data sheet

Before beginning work, certain technical characteristics of the concrete sheet must be studied. The table contains every pertinent piece of information:

Advantages in comparison with mortar

There are numerous benefits to using rolled concrete as opposed to regular liquid mortar.

• Simplicity and ease of installation – the rolled material needs to be rolled out over the surface and moistened, and this requires 95% less effort and time than preparing, pouring conventional concrete, caring for it, etc.d. So, if three craftsmen can lay about 200 square meters of concrete in an hour, then in the case of mortar, everything is not so fast and easy.
• Inexpensive and easy transportation (the fabric is supplied in rolls), the ability to use even in the most hard-to-reach places, no need to involve special equipment.

• Even beginners can work with the material – there is no need to calculate, mix, prepare anything, risking taking the wrong proportions and lowering the technical characteristics of the hardened structure. No special tools and skills are needed.
• Environmentally friendly and safe for both humans and nature – due to low consumption: on average, to cover a certain area, rolled concrete will need 80% less (by weight) than regular.
• High level of fire resistance – the fabric simply does not catch fire.
• Resistance to various chemical influences – due to the fact that the canvas is not afraid of sulfuric compounds, it is relevant for highways.
• Excellent waterproof properties.

• Long service life – on average about 50 years.
• No need for maintenance after installation.
• Concrete canvas can be laid under precipitation (installation must be completed within 1-2 hours), directly in water – which cannot be said about a regular liquid solution.
• It can also be laid in frost – for this, it is enough to spray the layer with warm water and cover with a film.
• It is also permissible to lay concrete canvas in the heat – you just need to moisten it with water during the first 8 hours at intervals of 2 hours.
• Possibility of dismantling – using a standard set of equipment / tools and demolition equipment.

Specification and areas of application

Although concrete canvas has not received much research, it is already a widely used material. Canvas has a wide range of applications, from building tents and unique military facilities to fortifying the coastline and covering the terrain. Owing to its characteristics and benefits, the material can be applied in situations where regular concrete is irrelevant.

Where it is used

Many areas, such as pits and slopes, can be strengthened and protected with a layer of concrete, reducing the possibility of soil sliding. When a slope is completely unstable, the fabric is frequently installed in conjunction with other interventions and activities.

The material is used in areas where water is present, such as drainage ditches, finishing canals, and other structures, because of its resistance to water. Concrete fabric is frequently used to waterproof pools and wells and to enable superior repairs of sewer tanks and systems. The fabric can also be used for making dams, processing pipes, and lintels in mines.

Concrete fabric is used in the railroad and highway design as well as the agricultural and industrial sectors. The material is good because it can be used in any situation and doesn’t require specialized skills from craftsmen or large-scale equipment.

– rapid modernization and defense against fracturing and deformation.

Because concrete is becoming more and more popular, there are also more intriguing applications for it. This is because the material is becoming more readily available.

Concrete tents

The military still uses them today, but they are already in use everywhere. When compared to standard tents, concrete tents offer two main advantages: greater protection from environmental factors and a minimum of ten years of service life (when used actively).

Furniture production

Although concrete sheet furniture is not as common as furniture made of more conventional materials, many designers have already produced unique garden models using this material.

Emergency shelters

The primary benefits of concrete fabric—its resistance to different types of impacts and its quick and simple installation—allow for the construction of human shelters of the highest caliber as soon as feasible. After the fabric is wet, it can be shaped into any shape. In a matter of hours, you can have a dependable emergency shelter that can accommodate people and supplies of food.

Houses and roads

You can rapidly construct excellent roads and homes out of concrete canvases. Canvas is already being used to make road surfaces, but rolled concrete is not a common material for typical home construction.

However, this is an option as well, particularly in areas that need to build high-quality housing quickly due to population density or natural disasters. The primary benefits in this case are the extended service life and resistance to fire and water.

A godsend for the Ministry of Emergency Situations and the military

When tent cities need to be deployed quickly, the innovative development can help military personnel and Ministry of Emergency Situations staff complete many tasks more quickly and easily (during field exercises, rescue operations). In disaster areas, concrete sheeting will come in useful.

The fabric can be worked with by two people, and in the shortest amount of time, a room up to 54 square meters can be assembled. The material is simply stretched over a frame made of pipes and watered. And in a matter of hours, the layer transforms into a windproof, monolithic structure with strong fire and water resistance.

It’s also critical that material usage be kept to a minimum and environmental impact be minimized when producing large-scale objects. Concrete sheeting allows for the average building material savings of about 95% when constructing structures of the same area.

As a result, at least ten trucks filled with supplies are needed to build a tent city for 500 people, and one truck can hold the necessary amount of rolled concrete.

Construction and renovation of hydraulic and irrigation structures

Canal and reservoir shorelines eventually start to deteriorate when artificial hydraulic structures are in use. The effects of winds, water flows, precipitation, ice load, siltation, and a decrease in flow speed cause the relief to be washed away and deformed. The land gets flooded and the water gets contaminated as a result of the soil being washed into the canal or reservoir.

Destroying artificial hydraulic structures along the coast can occasionally result in disasters. Consequently, every tactic at hand is employed to salvage the circumstance.

Using one of the newest technologies, concrete sheeting forms a sturdy coating that precisely conforms to the contours of the coastline, strengthening it. The coating is dependable and long-lasting, and installation is easy and fast. The material clearly fulfills its assigned functions and will not require maintenance in the future, thereby strengthening the terrain in a qualitative way.

For a range of construction needs, concrete sheets and rolled concrete provide creative solutions. They blend the adaptability and simplicity of installation that contemporary projects frequently demand with the longevity of conventional concrete. These materials can offer a dependable and effective solution whether you’re planning a modest residential project or a large-scale commercial construction.

Concrete sheets and rolled concrete have remarkable technical properties. They are weather-resistant, retain a high compressive strength, and can be shaped to fit a variety of surfaces. Because they can be rolled and unrolled as needed, they’re especially helpful for projects with tight deadlines or difficult logistics.

Using these materials has definite benefits. Their simplicity of installation and transportation can shorten project completion times and labor costs. They can also be employed in a variety of settings and applications, from building new structures to strengthening preexisting ones, thanks to their versatility.

There are, however, a few disadvantages to take into account. In comparison to conventional concrete methods, the initial cost may be higher, and proper installation may require specialized training. Furthermore, even though they are strong, they might not be appropriate for all projects, especially ones that call for extremely particular structural features.

All things considered, rolled concrete and concrete sheets are a major improvement over earlier building materials. Builders and designers can choose how best to use them by being aware of their technical features, benefits, and drawbacks. As with any material, the best outcomes require careful thought and preparation.

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