Can You Grow Concrete?
British journalist and Talk TV presenter Mike Graham went viral back in 2021 after he claimed it was possible to ‘grow concrete’ during a debate with an environmentalist.
Unsurprisingly, Graham was roundly mocked on social media for his claims with the comments still used as something as a meme to this day.
However, the host stands by his claims and as the construction and concrete industry continues to evolve, does he have a point?
Can you grow concrete?
In this article, the team here at Concrete Supply UK will take a closer look at the subject of concrete growing, outlining whether it is possible and the science behind new concrete technologies.
Read on to learn more…
Can you grow concrete?
No, you cannot grow concrete.
While presenter Mike Graham doubled down on his claims that it was possible to organically grow the building material, he later revealed that he was using the verb ‘grow’ as a synonym for ‘expand’ in reference to the way that concrete hardens, strengthens and expands as it dries and cures. Many people remain dubious of this claim.
However, Graham also referenced an interesting new concrete development known as self-replicating concrete.
This product uses a mixture of sand and hydrogel which are used as a platform for Synechococcus bacteria to grow on. As the substances dry, they can be turned into bricks which have a comparable structure and makeup to concrete and early studies have shown that they can be used within the construction industry.
The use of living organisms, such as bacteria, which do indeed ‘grow’ during the process, does suggest that it is possible to grow some kinds of concrete, however, the mixture is much closer to mortar in its consistency. In its current form, it is not strong enough to be used to glue bricks together or be safely used in major construction projects.
This means that if the science continues to develop it may well become an alternative material of the future, but any claims to call it concrete or use it as evidence that concrete can grow is disingenuous.
How is concrete made?
So, if concrete cannot be grown, how is it made?
The development of concrete hasn’t actually changed a great deal since the 1850s when William Aspdin took inspiration from his father’s Portland cement and accidentally created calcium silicates which improved the end product.
The process begins by using cement, which is an important binding agent used in conjunction with other ingredients. Cement is made by heating limestone, clay and other materials in a kiln which forms a substance known as clinker. The clinker is then ground into a fine powder and mixed with gypsum to produce cement.
Usually, people will purchase cement premade when they are planning to create a concrete mix.
Then, the cement is mixed with a variety of dry ingredients including sand and the chosen aggregate. Common aggregates include gravel, crushed stone and more. Typically, the ratio will be one part cement with two parts sand and four parts aggregate. Every concrete type will have a slightly different ratio depending on the requirements of the project and at Concrete Supply UK we always formulate mixes to ensure they perfectly align with the needs of our clients and their projects.
Water is also added to the mix which then creates a chemical reaction when it comes into contact with the cement. This process is known as hydration and it is vitally important as it is this reaction that causes the cement to harden and bind with the other ingredients – which ultimately is what creates concrete.
Once properly mixed, the concrete can then be poured into the area where it needs to be used. Often people will opt for concrete pumps when pouring to make the process more efficient. The poured concrete must then be allowed to cure, a process which technically continues infinitely and involves the concrete hardening over time. Typically, concrete takes around 28 days to reach full strength even though it begins to harden within just a few hours of being poured.
Here at Concrete Supply UK, we’re experts when it comes to all concrete types. We’ve spent years supplying quality mixes of different types of concrete to customers across the UK creating products that are designed specifically to your unique requirements. So whether you’re embarking on a home DIY project or working in the commercial construction industry, you can rest assured that we’ll always take a personalised approach. For more information or to place an order, contact our team today.
