If you’ve ever walked along a shoreline or under a bridge, chances are that you’ve seen what’s called rip rap

This rocky material is a form of crushed limestone that comes in a range of sizes. It can be anywhere from 4 inches to over 2 feet in width, depending on how fast the surrounding water moves and the steepness of the slope that it will be placed upon.

What Does Rip Rap Do?

The main purpose of rip rap is to prevent erosion on a pond bank, hill, or slope. Without this protection, roadways wash out, bridges become compromised, and property gets lost.

However, erosion prevention is not its only benefit. 

Contractors prefer rip rap because of its extreme durability and natural appearance. The reliability and affordability of this material make it the ideal choice for protecting bridges, pilings, shorelines, and streambeds from damage caused by water and ice.

Rip rap also buffers the impact of waves crashing against the shore and the force of water against the bank. In these cases, a larger grade (like our #1x4G) is installed over a textile for ultimate protection.

Where Can Rip Rap be Used?

Rip rap is most useful to structures or shorelines that are continuously exposed to rushing water. For example: near a bridge that’s located alongside an embankment, adjacent to waterway supports, and along a lake shoreline or the outer bank of a river bend.

It can also be used to build low-lying dividing walls or planting areas. In really steep slopes or high drainage areas, wire mesh or chain link is needed at the base of the decline to hold the rip rap in place.

At Port Aggregates, we offer three types of rip rap:

10lb rip rap (6-10”)30lb rip rap55lb rip rap

Regardless of whether you’re looking to prevent bridge erosion or simply trying to build a garden, we’ve got you covered. Our high-quality crushed limestone is available in a variety of shapes and sizes to meet your unique needs. Contact Port Aggregates today to request a quote

The post Rip Rap: The Original Rock Wall appeared first on Port Aggregates.

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After last year, we can all use a little extra fun this summer.

Not ready to go out yet? No worries!

By adding a patio to your backyard or enhancing your current one, you can bring the party straight to your house.

A stamped concrete patio is one of the best investments you can make this summer for a few reasons:

1. The material is unmatched

Compared to other popular choices like wood or pavers, stamped concrete is substantially more durable, easier to install, and requires a lot less maintenance. Not to mention, it can mimic the appearance of any other material at the most budget-friendly price on the market.

2. It can be made to match any style

The stamped concrete process is pretty self-explanatory. It gets its appearance through specially-designed rubber roller stamps that are pressed into the wet material. Whether you want your slab to look like tile, wood, brick, or precious stone, it’s all possible.

The options are truly endless with this type of concrete. Using stains, dyes, colored epoxy finishes, engravings, and overlays, your patio can be made to match any color scheme and incorporate any special logos, designs, patterns, or other features.

3.  It opens up the door to so many possibilities

A stamped concrete patio can transform your yard into the ultimate summer fun space. Have you always wanted an outdoor kitchen? Are your kids fantasizing about roasting marshmallows over an open fire this summer?

All of this is possible when you have a beautiful outdoor space to gather. No matter what your style or taste is, you can make your dreams come true with a stamped concrete patio.

Don’t let COVID steal another summer. Turn your home into the ultimate staycation resort with decorative concrete! At Port Aggregates, we’re here to help you create the perfect concrete patio to match your unique taste.

With more than 40 years in business and 24 locations across Louisiana, our contractors are well-versed in decorative concrete installation and design. Contact Port Aggregates today to request a quote

The post 3 Benefits of a Stamped Concrete Patio appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Known for its immense strength, durability, and endurance, concrete is the number one building material in the world. It’s been used for centuries and can last for thousands of years.

There are several different types of concrete, but today we’re going to take a look at precast and its many uses. 

What is precast concrete?

Precast concrete is formed using a mold and is often used to create columns, beams, or parking curbs. It can be produced in mass quantities due to specifications and codes that are already established. This building process is extremely efficient, allowing for hundreds of large structures to be built in just a few weeks.

The purpose of precast and its many uses

Precast concrete is built above the ground and can be used to stabilize large pieces of earth or hold back dirt. This makes it a great choice for building large retaining walls or smaller retention ponds. 

Three-sided bridges and box culverts for marshland and stream crossings also call for precast concrete. A strong material is particularly essential for structures like these. Otherwise, traveling over this type of land would be impossible without damaging the environment. 

In certain cases, custom pieces can even be made to meet your unique needs; for example, creating a vault using more than one piece when preexisting blockages are in the way. In these circumstances, individual precast panels are constructed and the vaults are then pieced together in place. Other custom examples may include railroad crossings or boat ramps.

Precast concrete is also used to construct buried infrastructure like catch basins, manholes, and vaults. These structures can be used to house telecommunication or electrical junction boxes, move storm water or sewage, and retain water.

Understanding the benefits

One of the biggest perks of precast concrete is that it’s ready to install when you are. This is one of the main shortcomings of site-casted concrete, because weather can delay the pour. Because precast concrete is created within a controlled environment, this is not an issue.

Another major benefit is the fact that strength-testing has already occurred before delivery day. Site-casted concrete, however, requires extra time and effort on the day of the pour to add rebar, set forms, and monitor the product.

When it comes to the production of precast concrete, the process alone is extremely sustainable. At Port Aggregates, all of our concrete products are made with the highest quality materials. It’s why we’ve been trusted for over 40 years! Contact us today to request a quote

The post What can Precast Concrete be Used For? appeared first on Port Aggregates.

Did you miss our previous article…
https://www.bellanovatravel.net/?p=71