Discover concrete basics in this beginner’s guide. Learn why concrete is the world’s most used building material and its role in construction. Concrete is everywhere! On the sidewalks, in your buildings, and even in the dams that hold all your water supply.

But the question of what it is demands some looking into. From the types of concrete all around us to all the places it’s used to mixing techniques, and everything else in between, this blog is here to give you a thorough introduction into the world of concrete.

Concrete: More Than Just Sand & Stone

Despite what you might think, concrete isn’t as basic as combining a few things haphazardly. It requires three main ingredients, making it a composite material.  These ingredients are:

• Cement: Though sometimes used interchangeably with concrete, cement is the binding agent that holds everything together.
• Aggregate: This forms the base of the concrete and can be anything from sand and gravel to pebbles or large crushed stones. It all depends on your project.
• Water: Finally, water is needed to start the hydration process. This allows the concrete to cure, harden, and eventually form the solid surface we’re all familiar with.

Concrete Types & Where To Find Them

Now that you have a deeper understanding of what it is, it’s time to explore the different types of concrete out there. Divided according  to their load-bearing capacities, the different types of concrete are:

• Normal-strength Concrete

 This is the most common type of concrete you see around yourself. It is mainly used in building construction, so the houses, offices, and even the grocery store you visited last weekend are built using this type. Its compressive strength ranges between 20MPa and 40MPa.

• High Strength Concrete

This type of concrete has a compressive strength above 40MPa. It is used in structures that require more strength and is typically the building material for tall skyscrapers and bridges that support traffic.

• High-performance concrete

This type of concrete not only has high strength, but also comes with the added benefit of superior performance. It can be found in high-rise buildings, paving, tunnels, marine structures, as well as bridges.

• Lightweight Concrete

Made of lightweight aggregate, this is what you’re looking at when you see a partition wall. Its use is strictly non-structural and uses expanded glass beads and pearlites as aggregate.

• Permeable Concrete

This is what you’re walking on in front of homes, grocery stores, and hospitals. You guessed it! This type of concrete is what sidewalks and driveways are made of. This is because this concrete allows water to pass through.

• Stamped Concrete

This is a decorative variety of concrete and mimics wood, stone, and brick. It is usually used to construct patios and interior floors.

• Ferro-cement Concrete

Finally, this is a type of concrete used in boat-building. It employs a thin layer of mortar reinforced with ferrous mesh or metal.

Concrete Mix: What Really Goes Into It

Okay, so how does concrete take form? Mix aggregate with water and sand, and BOOM? No. There are a lot of considerations that go into getting the perfect concrete mixture. Creating concrete is a five-step process, and each one should be taken carefully to ensure you get the right consistency.

Here is how the concrete mixing process goes.

• Step 1: measurement

First, measure out each ingredient. The consistency of the concrete is highly dependent on getting the measurements just right. Add too much water and your concrete mixture is a soup; too little and it’s all clumpy.

• Step 2: Mixing

All the ingredients are slowly mixed to form the desired consistency. A rotating drum is ideal, but if you want to use a wheelbarrow, go for it.  Just as long as the texture is a thick porridge consistency, the concrete batter is ready.

• Step 3: Additives

Next, if you want to add any special additives to the mixture, now is the time. The additives can range from simple to complex and are usually added to either speed up or slow down the curing process.

• Step 4: Batch Testing

After the batch is prepared, it is a smart idea to do a small test to make sure you have the desired consistency. If the testing phase is successful, the concrete is added to bowls or poured directly onto the construction site, whichever is the case.

• Step 5: Transportation

Finally, the ready-mix concrete is transported to the construction site as per demand. Special mixer trucks are used to make the journey, ensuring the concrete remains in prime condition until it’s ready for use.

Conclusion

Concrete is the backbone of our society; responsible for erecting buildings, constructing airports, and getting you safely from one shoreline to another. But there is a lot that goes into creating the right concrete mixture, and each type of concrete serves its own purpose. We hope you got a clearer understanding of the concrete jungle we all live in. For more insights, check out these top tips for accurate concrete calculations. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask!

FAQs

How does the weather impact concrete curing?

Summers speed up the curing process, but also result in shrinkage and cracks if not managed properly. Cool temperatures slow down the setting time, and if the water in the concrete freezes, it can lead to weakened concrete.

How can I prevent concrete from cracking?

Ensuring proper mix design, reinforcement, and control joints are some ways to avoid cracking.

What is PSI?

Pounds per square inch is the measurement used to gauge the strength of the concrete. The higher the PSI, the stronger the concrete.