

Cement also forms a skin on top, which can be scraped off so that it doesn’t interfere with casting or mixing with other materials like gravel. Stirring the concrete after it has been mixed will increase the strength of the material as well as cause bubbles to rise to the surface which can be popped prior to final use. The properties of concrete are determined by its ingredients.

These may be used in different combinations depending on the exact slab you require. When we talk about “aggregates,” we’re referring to a few different possible substances: Sand, gravel, crushed stones and possibly a few others. This mixture needs to set for 8 hours before the concrete can be used. The simplest concrete composition consists of 10-15% cement, 15-20% water, and 65-75% aggregates.

Standard Concrete CompositionĬoncrete is a mixture of cement, water and various aggregates. For those who are unaware, what goes into the makeup of concrete, and how does this composition vary depending on the type of slab needed? This two-part blog series will tell you everything you need to know. Part of this process, though, and part of our common services provided to clients as well, involves understanding the composition of the concrete we’re working on, as this often plays a major role in how we’ll remedy any damage that’s taken place. Concrete is a combination of a few different elements in most cases, combined to create the finished product you see on areas like driveways, sidewalks and numerous others.Īt Lift-Up Concrete, we’re happy to offer a wide range of concrete lifting and leveling services for situations where your concrete undergoes any form of damage. Concrete is one of the single most common harder substances used in our world today, but many people - even those who utilize it regularly on their property - don’t really understand how it’s made.
