Do you want to know the main functions of concrete?

Concrete refers to a class of engineering composites in which aggregates are bound together using cementitious materials. Cement concrete, also called ordinary concrete, is a cement mixture that consists of cement (the cementitious material), sand (or stone), and water (which may contain additives and admixtures) in a specific ratio. In this article we will discuss about the main function of concrete.

Main Functions of Concrete

Heterogeneity

The most crucial aspect of a concrete"s performance. It"s an all-encompassing illustration of the mixture"s consistency, fluidity, plasticity, resistance to delamination, water secretion, and smear ability. The main consistency index in China is slump (mm), measured by the truncated cone slump cylinder and vibration time (sec), measured by the vibration metre. Many other methods can determine and express mix compatibility.

Strength

After hardening, concrete"s ability to withstand stresses like compression, tension, bending, and shear becomes its most important mechanical property. The water-cement ratio, cement type and quantity, aggregates, and curing and maintenance practices contribute to concrete"s final strength. Standard concrete grades range from C10 to C100, with strengths increasing with each grade based on the standard compressive strength. Concrete"s tensile strength is only about ten to twenty times weaker than its compressive strength. Concrete modifications should focus on increasing the tensile strength to compressive strength ratio.

Deformation

Elastic deformation, plastic deformation, shrinkage, and temperature deformation are the most common types of deformation that occur in concrete when subjected to load or changes in temperature and humidity. The modulus of elasticity is the primary metric for describing the elastic deformation of concrete under transient loads. Creek deformation occurs when the stress and strain remain constant, while relaxation occurs when the stress and strain reverse their direction over time under long-term loading. Shrinkage refers to the reduction in volume due to the hydration of cement, the carbonation of cement stone, and the evaporation of water.

Durability

In most cases, concrete will hold up well. However, concrete is easily damaged in cold regions, especially when water levels rise and fall on the project site or when the water table is at its highest and lowest points due to the repeated freeze-thaw cycle. This is why there are specifications for frost resistance in concrete. Concrete with high impermeability and corrosion resistance is essential for watertight construction. Concrete must resist seepage, frost, and erosion for it to last.

Constructive and material components 

Common concrete consists of cement, coarse aggregate (gravel or pebbles), fine aggregate (sand), admixtures, and water mix that, once hardened, form a man-made stone. Cement and water combine to form a paste that coats the surface of the coarse and fine aggregates and fills the spaces between them; sand and stone serve as the concrete"s skeleton and prevent the cement from shrinking. Before hardening, the cement pastes act as a lubricant, ensuring that the concrete mix has good working properties; upon hardening, the cement binds the aggregates together, making for a very strong material.

Proprietary features from a technical standpoint

Concrete characteristics include mix compatibility, strength, deformation, and durability.

• Compatibility, or workability, is a characteristic of concrete mixes that allows use in various construction processes under controlled conditions. Fluidity (consistency), cohesiveness, and water retention are the components of the compatibility"s extensive technical index.
• After the concrete has hardened, its strength is the primary mechanical property that reflects its quantitative ability to withstand loads. Concrete strength comes in various forms, including gripping, tensile, shear, flexural, and compressive. The material"s tensile strength is low despite its high compressive strength.
• Both unload and load deformation contribute to concrete"s overall shape change. Chemical shrinkage, wet/dry deformation, temperature deformation, etc., are examples of non-load deformation. Excess cement can cause chemical shrinkage in the concrete, resulting in tiny cracks.
• Under realistic use conditions, "concrete durability" refers to the material"s ability to resist a wide range of deteriorating agents while maintaining its original strength and aesthetic appeal. This category includes the resistance of concrete to carbonation, water seepage, corrosion, and temperature changes.

Conclusions about main functions of concrete

Concrete has a rich history in construction. One of the most common construction materials, concrete comes in blocks, slabs, and panels. Concrete"s versatility benefits buildings, roads, sewers, and bridges. The main ingredients are water, cement, and aggregate (sand, gravel, or rocks).