What are components of concrete?
Concrete is made up of two components, aggregates and paste. Aggregates are generally classified into two groups, fine and coarse, and occupy about 60 to 80 percent of the volume of concrete. The paste is composed of cement, water, and entrained air and ordinarily constitutes 20 to 40 percent of the total volume.
What are the 4 components of concrete?
Concrete is made up of four main ingredients: water, Portland cement, aggregates, and air.
What is the strongest component of concrete?
Concrete Strength Concrete is stronger with less water in the mix. But water makes the concrete workable; the typical water/cement ratio balances strength and workability. Aggregate is also a factor in the strength of concrete; a strong concrete mix has a low water/cement ratio and strong aggregate.
What is the weakest component of concrete?
Unfortunately, there are limits on the amount by which you can reduce the surface area because low surface area typically means low strength. The weak point in most concrete is the strength of the cement-aggregate bond.
Why is concrete weak intension?
Concrete is weak in tension because of the presence of a weak link within the concrete matrix known as the Interfacial Transition Zone of ITZ. Concrete is mainly composed of rock aggregates that are glued together by a cement paste which is a mixture of cement and water.
What is a harsh concrete mix?
A harsh mixture of concrete is one without mortar or aggregate fines, resulting in an undesirable consistency and workability. See aggregate, cement, cement content/cement factor, cement mixtures, cement types.
What are the main properties of concrete?
The properties of hardened concrete
- Mechanical strength, in particular compressive strength. The strength of normal concrete varies between 25 and 40 MPa.
- Durability.
- Porosity and density.
- Fire resistance.
- Thermal and acoustic insulation properties.
- Impact resistance.
What is the cheapest form of concrete?
You can get cheaper concrete by purchasing sub-grade concrete. This usually is available at salvage yards and is clean material. Therefore, you don’t have to worry you’re not getting quality material. You’ll save a lot of money on concrete, and you’ll be doing your part for the environment by using reclaimed materials.
How many years does a concrete foundation last?
Foundations. Poured concrete block bases and slab foundations will last for a lifetime, 80 to 100 years or more, given they have been constructed with precision. The termite proofing of the base, 12 years, provided the chemical barriers remain intact.