The use of materials in building construction projects is not always the same, depending on the type and scale of the building. For example, the construction of a bridge certainly requires different materials than a simple residence.
One of the main materials in the construction of structures that come into contact with water, such as bridges and dams, is cyclopean concrete. Yes, this type of concrete is considered superior, so it is often used to build large infrastructure that requires high structural durability.
Actually, what are the characteristics of cyclopean concrete, and why is its use so important in construction projects? For a comprehensive explanation, please refer to the information below.
What Is Cyclopean Concrete?
Cyclopean concrete is a type of material that is a mixture of ordinary concrete and split boulders. These stones are larger than those used to make ordinary concrete.
For your information, mango-sized stones are a type of stone commonly used in construction. The purpose of adding boulders is to increase the strength and durability of the concrete.
In addition to the different sizes, the selected stones must meet certain criteria, such as having sharp edges, being free from cracks, not being mixed with other aggregates, and not being larger than 25 cm.
Characteristics of Cyclopean Concrete
It should be noted that cyclopean concrete has the following characteristics:
1. Relatively Strong
Because it is made from concrete, which is known for its high strength, then mixed with large-sized stones, it is not surprising that the strength of cyclopean concrete has increased significantly.
With its strength, cyclopean concrete is often used as supporting material in various vital infrastructures, such as bridge foundations, dam walls, and specific parts of high-rise building projects.
2. Water Resistant
Compared to conventional concrete, cyclopean concrete tends to be more resistant to water penetration due to its large volume and minimal joints. This helps reduce the risk of corrosion on metal components and damage due to water seepage.
3. Resistant to Weather Changes
In addition to being water-resistant, cyclopean concrete is also able to withstand environments with extreme weather changes and conditions, including facing pressure and tension. This is supported by its mass and large volume, making it absorb heat and cold more slowly.
4. Easy to Use
Cyclopean concrete is relatively easy to use because it involves a simple and economical mixture, such as split boulders, cement, sand, and water. You do not need steel reinforcement, so the preparation is simpler and the casting process can proceed more quickly.
In addition, the use of this concrete also does not require sophisticated heavy equipment, but only local labor and simple tools.
5. Cost-Effective
By using split boulders as its coarse aggregate, cyclopean concrete can reduce the need for cement and other fine aggregates. Consequently, this can lower the budget for purchasing raw materials.
Read also: Concrete in Construction: Learn the Functions and Types!
The Importance of Cyclopean Concrete in Construction
With the characteristics inherent in cyclopean concrete, it is no wonder that this type of concrete is often chosen for various construction needs. Below are the importance of cyclopean concrete in the construction world:
1. Supporting Large-Scale Construction
It has been previously mentioned that cyclopean concrete is often used as a support for vital infrastructure structures, such as bridges and dams.
That is understandable, as cyclopean concrete is known to withstand pressure and tension, making the structure of the building relatively safe and stable.
2. Supporting the Stability of Building Foundations
Besides being relied upon in bridge construction, cyclopean concrete is also often used in the making of caisson foundations. This is due to the ability of cyclopean concrete to maintain structural strength in underground layers, so that buildings are sturdier even if an earthquake or landslide occurs.
3. A Solution for Simple Buildings
Cyclopean concrete is a middle choice between reinforced concrete and stone masonry (such as river stones or bricks arranged with mortar).
Therefore, if your building has simple dimensions and shapes but still expects good strength and durability, cyclopean concrete could be the right choice.
The Use of Cyclopean Concrete
In the construction world, cyclopean concrete is suitable for use in the following needs:
1. Caisson Foundation
The first and most common function of cyclopean concrete is in the making of caisson foundations. This project typically has a diameter of 60–80 cm and a depth of 1–2 meters.
Caisson foundations are made to support heavy loads on layers of hard soil that are located quite deep. Therefore, concrete pouring on the project site (in-situ) is required, involving mixing gravel and reinforcement at the top.
It should be understood that cyclopean concrete caisson foundations are usually applied in areas prone to soil erosion, for example, due to underground water flow. Therefore, the base of the caisson must be placed on hard ground to ensure that the structure is stable and resistant to the risk of landslides and other damage.
2. Water Construction
Some structures that interact directly with water, such as dams, bridges, and water channels, require the presence of cyclopean concrete. This type of concrete is known for its ability to withstand water penetration, thus preventing damage and leakage of the structure.
3. Other Building Structures
In addition to caisson foundations and water construction, the other function of cyclopean concrete is in the creation of structures that require enhanced resistance to earthquakes and landslides, such as retaining walls.
Once again, this is because the cyclopean concrete mixture is formed from concrete and split boulders, which automatically increases its durability.
Read also: Get to Know Earthquake-Resistant Building Materials
Size of Aggregate Usage in Cyclopean Concrete
Generally, cyclopean concrete uses coarse aggregate with a size that can reach 20 cm, with a maximum proportion of 20% of the total. The cross-section used is 15–20 cm.
The mixture of cyclopean concrete consists of good-quality K175 concrete and split boulders to increase its volume. With this mixture, the actual strength of cyclopean concrete still cannot match reinforced concrete.
However, this type of concrete is still stronger compared to stone masonry construction, which can only withstand compressive forces and cannot resist tensile forces.
That is all the explanation about cyclopean concrete as an efficient material to meet certain construction needs. If you need a solid building structure that is still cost-effective, especially for foundation work or simple structures, cyclopean concrete is worth considering.
You can also make cyclopean concrete using ready-mix concrete. This step is certainly more practical, both in terms of labor and time of execution, especially if you use ready-mix concrete from Semen Merah Putih, which guarantees its quality.
Through one of its subsidiaries, Beton Merah Putih, Semen Merah Putih offers innovative ready-mix concrete products designed for various unique and strong applications, with its flagship products, namely Ready Mix Concrete and Precast Concrete.
The ready-mix concrete products from Beton Merah Putih are designed for various applications according to consumer demand. Available in various quality options for constructing different types of constructions, such as industrial, commercial, and infrastructure, including the construction of multi-storey buildings, housing, highways, as well as other developments.
Do you want to get complete information about Semen Merah Putih products? Contact us now to find the best solution for your construction project!
Read also: 3 Ways to Calculate Concrete Casting per M3, Take Note!
