Béton — histoire, structure, propriétés et usages

Repères

Portland + SCMsBinder

A1; cover saves rebarFire

Clinker-intensiveCO₂

RC frameIcon

~1.4 W/m·Kλ

ceramicsFamily

Béton is one of 32 materials in this atlas, grouped under ceramics: history, structure, measured properties, process routes, uses, safety and market — not a product catalogue.

Scores compare Béton with the rest of the atlas on strength, heat, fire behaviour, insulation, workability and circularity. They are editorial, not certificates.

Seven chapters follow. Fire and insulation claims name test families (Euroclass, ASTM E84, ISO 5660, KS F) rather than inventing a single safety number.

Introduction approfondie

Deep dive: Béton

Béton (C-S-H binder + aggregate) is a family of grades whose density ~2400 kg/m³, heat band does not melt; dehydrates and spalls, and fire letter A1.

What “the material” actually is

Béton is sold as grades, not as a single substance. Chemistry C-S-H binder + aggregate, density ~2400 kg/m³, heat band does not melt; dehydrates and spalls.

This atlas treats Béton as a system: mill route, coatings, tests and the cavity it sits in.

Heat, fire and insulation

Conductivity note: ~1.4 W/m·K. Insulation score 22/100 is relative to 32 entries — metals lose, VIPs and aerogels win.

Fire letter in editorial use: A1. Do not equate A1 with “safe in a blaze” or E with “illegal”. Assemblies decide.

How it is made and used

Origin: Roman pozzolana; Aspdin 1824; Hennebique RC, Rome → Leeds → Paris. The process chapter follows feedstock → conversion → forming → finish → install.

Uses span buildings to defence / safety. Pairings matter: steel.

Market and circularity

Producers below are landmarks, not an endorsement ranking. Prices are bands, not live quotes.

Circularity mark 30/100. Ask which scrap, which certificate, which year.

Profil

Résistance 70

Résistance à la chaleur 68

Performance au feu 90

Isolation 22

Ouvrabilité 60

Circularité 30

Questions fréquentes

Is Béton non-combustible?

Declared reaction class in this atlas: A1. Assemblies still need resistance tests.

Does Béton insulate?

Thermal mark 22/100 versus the atlas. Conductivity note: ~1.4 W/m·K.

What is the density band?

~2400 kg/m³

How is it made?

Origin story: Roman pozzolana; Aspdin 1824; Hennebique RC (Rome → Leeds → Paris).

Can it be recycled?

Circularity mark 30/100 — editorial, route-specific.

Typical melting or failure heat?

does not melt; dehydrates and spalls

What should it be paired with?

steel: The tensile partner (rebar).

Where is it specified?

Buildings, transport, energy and consumer goods — see the uses chapter.

Icônes

Pantheon dome

Italy · 126 CE

Pantheon dome is a reference point in the public image of Béton.

Ingalls Building

United States · 1903

Ingalls Building is a reference point in the public image of Béton.

Hoover Dam

United States · 1936

Hoover Dam is a reference point in the public image of Béton.

Burj Khalifa mix

UAE · 2010

Burj Khalifa mix is a reference point in the public image of Béton.

Hennebique frame

France · 1890s

Hennebique frame is a reference point in the public image of Béton.

Brutalist béton

Global · 1950s–

Brutalist béton is a reference point in the public image of Béton.

Shotcrete tunnel

Global · 20th c.–

Shotcrete tunnel is a reference point in the public image of Béton.

Roman marine

Italy · antiquity

Roman marine is a reference point in the public image of Béton.

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Duels

Même famille, autres notes — choisissez un duel.

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Béton vs Bois

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Matériaux proches

Voisins les plus proches sur les six axes de l’atlas.

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🏗️Béton

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