Hi Ed. From a non-technical, with overtones of real estate, prospective from Michigan. Gravel plants/pits generally only have concrete on both sides of the drive at the weighing booth and scale. Because they move the equipment as the gravel and other materials are worked out, only the permanent installations have concrete. A Concrete/Cement plant may have either an entire concrete surface, or concrete at the permanent and heavy load areas, and gravel over the rest of the area. Earth and dirt generally won't support the heavy loads of trucks and other equipment. As for the differences, in my experience, Cement has a smooth, sandy like texture, and is used for light load bearing surfaces, and/or small sections, for sidewalks, patios, air conditioner pads, etc. It generally isn't reinforced. Add gravel to cement, and you now have concrete. You have a surface that can withstand heavy loads, depending on how thick, how much and what kind of reinforcement, etc. The reinforcement can be as small as wire mesh fencing, like what you would do to a residential driveway, or reinforcement bars, sometimes called rerod, that is used in making streets and highways. Cement is generally grey, although they now have coloring you can add to it for the effect. Concrete can be anywhere from a light grey to white, or even clear, shiny plastic. White is the color of a substance they spray on the concrete. I believe it is to help it cure, or protect it in some way. The clear, shiny plastic look is from a substance they spray on concrete floors to protect it and help it last longer, but won't be supporting heavy loads. The concrete underneath is a grey color. It makes it easier to clean and keep the floor clean. You generally see these in light industrial situations, like electronic assembly and special tool assembly. Where it is important to have a clean floor, and not cost a lot to maintain it that way. Cement generally is used over 4 inches thick. Concrete thickness around southeast Michigan varies, according to use. Most residential driveways are 4 inches thick and reinforced. Industrial plants, truck stops, etc, that will see heavy truck traffic, are generally 9 to 12 inches thick and reinforced. Repair shops at land fills and such, where they have heavy equipment, may see 30,000 to over 100,000 pounds in a 20 foot area. These floors can go as much as 15 inches thick or more, and are reinforced. If you need any more info, I'll see what I can find out. Hope it helps, Barry.
-----Original Message----- From: Edward Davis [mailto:[EMAIL PROTECTED] Subject: [S-Scale Modeling] concrete/cement I've never understood the difference between cement and concrete. If I'm modeling a gravel plant with conveyers, etc. and the floor is not earth(dirt), would the floor be concrete or cement? Would it matter if I chose to paint the floor either concrete or cement? Change your membership, change your message settings, use our CALENDAR, view shared files or photos, view the list archives, GO TO http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ Yahoo! Groups Links <*> To visit your group on the web, go to: http://groups.yahoo.com/group/S-Scale/ <*> To unsubscribe from this group, send an email to: [EMAIL PROTECTED] <*> Your use of Yahoo! Groups is subject to: http://docs.yahoo.com/info/terms/
