Frequently Asked Questions About Concrete

Are there different types of portland cement? ​

How can you tell if you're getting the amount of concrete you're paying for? 

How do you control the strength of concrete? 

How do you protect a concrete surface from aggressive materials like acids? 

How do you remove stains from concrete? 

How is portland cement made? 

Lime and silica make up about 85 percent of the ingredients of cement.

Is there a universal international specification for portland cement? 

What are recommended mix proportions for good concrete? 

What are the decorative finishes that can be applied to concrete surfaces? 

What is 3,000 pound concrete? 

What is alkali-silica reactivity (ASR)? 

What is the difference between cement and concrete? 

Why do concrete surfaces flake and spall? 

Why does concrete crack? 

Will concrete harden under water? 

How long will a concrete pavement typically last? 

How does the service life of concrete compare to that of asphalt? 

How closely does concrete compare to asphalt on initial cost?

Which type of pavement costs less to maintain?

Which type of pavement costs less to own?

(1) City of West Des Moines, 2004 Street Management System Report and ERES Studies of: 
      Interstate 15 - Utah; 
      Interstate 40 - Oklahoma; 
      Interstate 40 - Tennessee
(2) Quick Guide to Transportation System Facts
(3) Iowa DOT's 30 Year Design Pavement Type Selection Process
(4) Iowa DOT's 40 Year Design Pavement Type Selection Process
(5) MnDOT's Pavement Selection Life Cycle Cost Analysis
(6) Statewide Urban Design and Specifications (SUDAS)
7) ERES Studies and City of West Des Moines, 2004 Street Management System Report
(8) Iowa DOT's 40 Year Design Pavement Type Selection Process and MnDOT's Pavement Selection Life Cycle Cost Analysis
(9) SUDAS
(10) Quick Guide to Transportation System Facts
(11) Alternate Bidding – Bid Tabs
(12) Equivalency Chart for Concrete and Asphalt Pavements
(13) Impact of Pavement Type on County Road Systems and A Comparison of the Life-Cycle Costs of Asphalt Concrete and Portland Cement Concrete Pavements in Olmsted County, Minnesota
(14) Iowa DOT's 40 Year Design Pavement Type Selection Process, MnDOT's Pavement Selection Life Cycle Cost Analysis, examples of maintenance projections from City of Cedar Falls and City of Carroll (pavement type selection processes)
(15) Life Cycle Cost Analysis: A Guide for Comparing Alternate Pavement Designs
(16) Iowa DOT's 40 Year Design Pavement Type Selection Process
(17) Impact of Pavement Type on County Road Systems
(18) Impact of Pavement Type on County Road Systems; A Comparison of the Life-Cycle Costs of Asphalt Concrete and Portland Cement Concrete Pavements in Olmsted County, Minnesota; ERES' studies from Utah, Oklahoma, and Tennessee
(19) Iowa DOT Full-Depth Paving Projects by Pavement Type (2000-2004)

Upcoming Events