Concrete Parking Lot Research Paper

Words: 664
Pages: 3

Concrete parking lots have always been a popular choice in Central Texas. With relatively mild winters, concrete is not subjected to the extreme freeze/thaw cycles that are present in most of the northern states; since concrete is not extremely flexible, it can be damaged by severe winter weather. During hot Texas summers, concrete tends to reflect more heat than darker pavements, which helps to reduce the "heat island" effect found in urban areas.

Concrete parking lots can be an aesthetically pleasing, long-lasting choice for all types of commercial businesses. Shopping malls, convenience stores, industrial facilities, apartment complexes, convention centers and restaurants are just a few of the businesses that can benefit from a concrete
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The first is the subgrade, which is the soil that underlies the parking lot. The second layer is the base that helps distribute the weight of traffic. The final layer is the concrete. Each layer is carefully designed so that all layers work together to provide the stability and support required to distribute loads evenly.

The type of soil present in the subgrade must be evaluated. Different types of soil can pose different issues that must be addressed. For example, fine-grained sand tends to have less load-bearing capacity, while soil with a high clay content can be prone to excessive shrinking and swelling as the moisture content changes.

After the subgrade is leveled and compacted, the base can be installed. The thickness of the base depends in large part on the type of soil present in the subgrade. If the subgrade has a low support value, the base will need to be thicker to ensure that the completed pavement will perform as expected.

Once the base is prepared, the contractor can install the concrete. Forms will be constructed, and in most cases, reinforcing steel bars will be placed in the forms. The concrete is then poured and smoothed.

What Contractors Need to