What is Concrete, Component and Properties

Definition of Concrete

Concrete is a stone-like material obtained by permitting a carefully proportion mixture of cement, sand, gravel, or other aggregate and water to harden in forms of the shape and dimensions of the desired structure.

Major Components

1. Binding material: Cement or Lime.
2. Aggregate: Fine or Coarse Aggregate.
3. Water.

The bulk of the material consists of fine and coarse aggregate. Cement and water interact chemically to bind the aggregate particles into a solid mass.

Binding Material

Cement

1.  Cement is the most common binding material.
2. The most common types of cement are Ordinary Portland Cement (OPC), Portland Pozzolana Cement (PPC), etc.

Lime

1. Lime is used in some specialized construction.
2. Used in flooring and plastering.

Aggregate

Fine Aggregate

1. Pass through a 4.75 mm sieve.
2. Fine aggregates are naturally sand or crushed stone dust.

Coarse Aggregate

1. The size is usually 10mm to 40mm.
2. Coarse aggregate is crushed stone, gravel, or broken bricks.
3. Provides strength and durability.
4. Clean and free from organic impurities.

Water

1. The water-cement ratio significantly impacts concrete strength.
2. Reacts with cement to form a paste that binds aggregates.
3. Affects workability, strength, and durability.
4. Excess water weakens the concrete and leads to shrinkage cracks, while insufficient water results in poor workability and incomplete hydration.

Properties of Concrete

1. Strength.
2. Elastic proportion.
3. Fatigue.
4. Durability.
5. Impermeability.
6. Workability.

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