{{Short description|Is a type of construction material}} thumb|Close-up of granolithic sidewalk. '''Granolithic screed''', also known as '''granolithic paving'''<ref name="Emmitt">Emmitt and Gorse, p. 566.</ref> and '''granolithic concrete''',<ref>Harris, p. 470.</ref> is a type of construction material composed of cement and fine aggregate such as granite or other hard-wearing rock.<ref name="Ingham">Ingham, p. 132.</ref> It is generally used as flooring, or as paving (such as for sidewalks). It has a similar appearance to concrete, and is used to provide a durable surface where texture and appearance are usually not important (such as outdoor pathways or factory floors).<ref name="Ingham" /> It is commonly laid as a screed. Screeds are a type of flooring laid on top of the structural element (like reinforced concrete) to provide a level surface on which the "wearing flooring" (the flooring which people see and walk on) is laid.<ref name="Ingham130">Ingham, p. 130.</ref> A screed can also be laid bare, as it provides a long-lasting surface.<ref name="Ingham130" />
The aggregate mixed with the cement can be of various size, shape, and material, depending on the texture of the surface needed and how long-lasting it must be.<ref name="Ransom">Ransom, p. 74.</ref> The aggregate is usually sifted so that the particles are roughly the same size, which helps reduce air pockets in the material (which can weaken it).<ref name="Emmitt" /> Generally, the mix of aggregate to cement is 2.5 to 1 by volume.<ref name="Emmitt" />
Granolithic screed or paving can be problematic. Because it is made with a high cement content and requires a great deal of water to mix, it may crack while drying.<ref name="Ingham" /> It can also come loose from the material below (especially if the lower material is not properly prepared).<ref name="Ingham" /> Pouring the material in layers is generally avoided.<ref name="Snow">Snow, p. 4—6.</ref> Cracking and curling can be reduced by dividing the area to be covered into smaller sections and then pouring the material.<ref name="Ransom" /> Debonding of the granolithic material can also be significantly avoided by using bonding agents like epoxy resins or polymer latex.
A high degree of skill in pouring and finishing the material is needed to prevent problems.<ref name="Ransom" /> Sealers and hardeners can be added to the granolithic material to improve its resistance to wear.<ref name="Emmitt" />
== See also == * roughcast (pebbledash): visually somewhat similar, but used mostly on outer walls
==Footnotes== {{reflist}}
==Bibliography== *Emmitt, Stephen and Gorse, Christopher A. ''Barry's Introduction to Construction of Buildings.'' Chichester, U.K.: Wiley-Blackwell, 2010. *Harris, Cyril M. ''Dictionary of Architecture and Construction.'' New York: McGraw-Hill, 2005. *Ingham, Jeremy P. ''Geomaterials Under the Microscope: A Colour Guide.'' London: Manson, 2011. *Ransom, W.H. ''Building Failures: Diagnosis and Avoidance.'' Florence, Ky.:Taylor & Francis, 1987. *Snow, Dennis. ''Plant Engineer's Reference Book.'' 2d ed. Oxford: Butterworth-Heinemann, 2002. *O'Brien, Chris "Joseet, Rueben" 2014.
Category:Concrete Category:Floors