The owner and president of Madison Construction Company in the greater Chicago area, Rob Ferrino has overseen many award-winning projects. Trained at the University of Buffalo, New York, as a mechanical engineer, Rob Ferrino understands the advantages of concrete frame construction.
Perhaps the most frequently used construction method, concrete framing consists of horizontal and vertical elements in a box-like structure. The full name of the building material is reinforced cement concrete, which contains steel reinforcement bars (rebar), which add strength. The concrete is poured into molds on site around the previously installed rebar.
Vertical columns are the most important part of the box, since they carry the majority of the load. The rest of the building’s weight is borne by the horizontal beams and floor slabs. While a building can usually withstand damage to beams or slabs, damage to a column often results in collapse.
Concrete hardens only a few hours after being poured, but it takes about a month for it to reach its full load-bearing capacity. To allow time for chemical reactions, water is poured on the surface in a process known as curing.
Although there are standard proportions for mixing concrete, the optimal mix sometimes varies. Structural engineers request different mixes according to the location and purpose. For instance, they may call for a more flowable mix when casting a wall in an out-of-the-way area.
Rob Ferrino 