Types of concrete

Types of Concrete Mixes Mix design depends on project requirements, strength, appearance, and local regulations. Factors considered include cost of additives and aggregates, slump for mixing and placement, and performance. Mix design includes cement, coarse and fine aggregates, water, and chemical admixtures, with specified mixing method and conditions. Ingredients vary based on the application, with premixed options available. A typical concrete batch includes Portland cement, dry sand, dry stone, and water. Highstrength concrete has a compressive strength greater than 40 MPa (6000 psi). Stamped concrete is an architectural concrete with a superior surface finish. Highperformance concrete (HPC) exceeds common application standards, not limited to strength. Ultrahighperformance concrete (UHPC) has compressive strengths exceeding 150 MPa, possibly exceeding 250 MPa. Microreinforced UHPC utilizes continuous, multilayered, threedimensional microsteel mesh. Lowdensity structural concrete uses ceramic aggregates with a density below that of water. Selfconsolidating concrete is cohesive and flowable without mechanical compaction. Vacuum concrete is produced by creating a vacuum inside a concrete mixing truck using steam. Shotcrete uses compressed air to shoot concrete onto or into a frame or structure. Limecrete utilizes lime as a binder instead of Portland cement. Glass concrete incorporates recycled glass as aggregate. Asphalt concrete uses bituminous materials as the binder. Rapid strength concrete develops high resistance within a few hours. Rubberized concrete incorporates rubber for improved durability and flexibility. Nanoconcrete contains Portland cement particles no greater than 100 μm. Foam concrete is a lightweight and highly insulating material. Airentrained concrete incorporates tiny air bubbles for enhanced workability and durability. Engineered cementitious composite is a bendable concrete with enhanced flexibility. Ferrocement is a reinforced mortar or plaster system with high strength and durability. Readymix concrete is manufactured in batch plants according to engineered mix design. Historic Concrete Composition Ancient concrete, like Roman concrete, used volcanic ash and hydrated lime. Roman concrete was superior to other recipes and they also invented hydraulic concrete. Composition stone and artificial stone are terms used for limecemented concretes. The term ‘artificial stone’ encompasses various humanmade stones, including cemented concretes. HighStrength Concrete Highstrength concrete has a compressive strength greater than 40 MPa (6000 psi). In the UK, highstrength concrete is defined as having a compressive strength class higher than C50/60. Low watercement ratio (W/C) and silica fume are used to achieve high strength. Superplasticizers are added to compensate for reduced workability. Careful selection of aggregate is crucial to prevent failure in highstrength concrete. Stamped Concrete and HighPerformance Concrete Stamped concrete is an architectural concrete with a superior surface finish. Highperformance concrete (HPC) exceeds common application standards, not limited to strength. HPC can be selfconsolidating and compact without segregation. HPC exhibits early age strength, longterm mechanical properties, and low permeability. Other properties include density, heat of hydration, toughness, volume stability, and durability in severe environments. HPC develops a strength greater than 50 MPa (7,300 psi) at specified days and requires wellgraded aggregates, cement, fly ash, waterreducing admixtures, and silica fume. Other Concrete Types Ultrahighperformance concrete (UHPC) has compressive strengths exceeding 150 MPa, possibly exceeding 250 MPa. Microreinforced UHPC utilizes continuous, multilayered, threedimensional microsteel mesh. Lowdensity structural concrete uses ceramic aggregates with a density below that of water. Selfconsolidating concrete is cohesive and flowable without mechanical compaction. Vacuum concrete is produced by creating a vacuum inside a concrete mixing truck using steam. Shotcrete uses compressed air to shoot concrete onto or into a frame or structure. Limecrete utilizes lime as a binder instead of Portland cement. Glass concrete incorporates recycled glass as aggregate. Asphalt concrete uses bituminous materials as the binder. Rapid strength concrete develops high resistance within a few hours. Rubberized concrete incorporates rubber for improved durability and flexibility. Nanoconcrete contains Portland cement particles no greater than 100 μm. Foam concrete is a lightweight and highly insulating material. Airentrained concrete incorporates tiny air bubbles for enhanced workability and durability. Engineered cementitious composite is a bendable concrete with enhanced flexibility. Ferrocement is a reinforced mortar or plaster system with high strength and durability. Readymix concrete is manufactured in batch plants according to engineered mix design.