What Is Concrete Made Of?
Take a look at your property. Odds are, you see concrete somewhere—your driveway, sidewalks, and even your foundation. This widely-used material is popular because of its strength, but it’s not immune to problems.
In another article, we answered the question, “Why Does Concrete Crack?”
In this article, we dig deeper so you can get an inside look at concrete surfaces by addressing what concrete is made of. Let’s jump right in!
What Is Concrete Made From?
Concrete’s basic components and ratios include:
- Cement (Approx. 10 to 15%): The binding agent, created by blending ground clinker and gypsum. Clinker, an intermediate product, is a solid created during the production of Portland cement. Portland cement, made from a mix of limestone and shale or clay, was invented by Joseph Aspdin in 1824.
- Water (Approx. 15 to 20%): Combined with cement to form a paste.
- Aggregates (Approx. 65 to 75%): Comprise the bulk of concrete, consisting of sand, gravel, or crushed stone. These materials are crucial for providing strength to concrete, and they are categorized into coarse and fine types.
- Air: Present either as intentionally added bubbles (entrained) or unintentionally incorporated during mixing (entrapped).
- Admixtures: Optional ingredients added in small quantities to modify concrete properties.
💡 Fun Fact:
Many people use “concrete” and “cement” interchangeably. Cement is an important ingredient that forms into a solid concrete surface.
How Is Concrete Made?
Now that you know what materials make up concrete, let’s take a look at how concrete slabs are made. Important factors include:
- Ingredient Measuring and Mixing: Achieving a robust, workable concrete surface requires precise measurement and a thorough combination of water, Portland cement, and aggregates.
- Chemical Reaction and Strengthening: The exothermic process of hydration begins instantly when water meets cement. Curing follows, involving moisture retention to enhance concrete’s strength and longevity.
- Structural Enhancement: Concrete’s tensile strength is typically improved by incorporating reinforcement, often steel rebar. This technique finds widespread use in modern structural applications.
Additional Considerations
- Aesthetic and Purpose-Built Concrete: Various methods create decorative surfaces, like stamping and polishing. Unique formulations, such as sulfur-based and water-permeable concrete, cater to specific needs.
- Cutting-Edge Concrete Developments: Recent advancements have produced high-performance mixes, incorporated nanotechnology and carbon fibers, and even yielded self-repairing concrete formulations.
💡 Fun Fact:
Concrete is a porous material. If there’s too much water present, either from the cement mixture or from the underlying soil, damage can easily result from leaks and freeze-thaw cycles.
What To Know Next
Concrete is a complex material that requires skill, experience, and attention to detail to create properly. It’s best to trust the pros with its installation and repair.
There’s a lot more to know about concrete, including repair methods like lifting and leveling with polyurethane injections. You can learn more by checking out our Ultimate Guide to Concrete Leveling.
If you need concrete repair, you can benefit from a thorough, free inspection from Groundworks. Our team will evaluate your home’s concrete and recommend solutions tailored to meet your unique needs. Click the button below to get started!
Holly Richards-Purpura
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Disclaimer: “Concrete leveling” means the process by which cracked, uneven concrete is stabilized, and in many cases lifted, by means of PolyRenewal™ polyurethane foam. Groundworks does not guarantee that PolyRenewal™ can make your concrete perfectly level.