What is Concrete Made Of?
Concrete is formed by mixing earth, sand, and water to form a sturdy material called concrete. The paste is mixed with cement to make the mixture that forms the durable concrete. The mixture is heated and allowed to cool to create a paste that can then be poured into molds to form the concrete.
Concrete is used in many areas for its ability to withstand force and weight. It is a cheap construction material that can be used in cities and houses as a strong, reinforced concrete material for sidewalks, driveways, footpaths, and parking lots. Concrete can also be used to form the walls of the inner part of a building. Concrete can be shaped into any shape by adding additional ingredients such as stone, glass, or steel. It is very versatile when it comes to shapes because once hardened it stays that way and is extremely durable.
When the Portland cement, sand, and water mixture cools, it becomes what is known as hardened concrete. A fine powder texture is developed on the concrete once hardened. When the temperature outside falls below freezing, the Portland cement, and sand melt and form into a liquid. This process of cooling and solidification creates a thick liquid that can be easily used to fill in holes and cracks during construction projects. When concrete cures naturally, its fine grain structure creates a smooth surface that is free from chatter and scratches.
What is concrete made of once cooled and hardened are the Portland cement and the sand. When the cement and sand are combined, it becomes what is known as reinforced concrete. Reinforced concrete has a smooth, rounded surface that is more durable than regular concrete. Once the concrete is hardened, it can be poured into moulds to form the basic outline of a building or can be shaped further to achieve more detailed designs.
There are three basic ingredients that makeup Portland cement, sand, and water. All these ingredients are mixed together with or without additives to change their chemical composition. Some of the most common additives to concrete made of Portland cement include cement acid, magnesium stearate, and calcium chloride. The additional ingredients used to modify the composition improve the durability of the final product.
As mentioned above, Portland cement, sand, and water are mixed to create a fine paste that is then used to fill in holes, cracks and forms. One of the most commonly used ingredients in the creation of concrete made with Portland cement is calcium chloride. Calcium chloride is the main component of the Portland cement mixture, and it is also one of the most effective ingredients for the purpose of reinforcing concrete. Other commonly used ingredients to create fine-grained concrete mixes include magnesium stearate and cement acid.
Other cement additives are needed to improve the properties of the material to make it stronger. When concrete is mixed with regular sand, a silicone compound that improves the surface tension of the sand is added as an ingredient. This silicone compound, which is generally water-based, adds strength to the solid sand, especially when other compounds that improve surface tension are also included in the mix. A reinforcing agent such as steel reinforcement wire is added as a third additive to the cement mixture.
A common type of additive used to increase the strength of cement is a calcium hydroxide solution. This solution is mixed with the cement to make it homogenous before it is exposed to heat or pressure during the curing process. This homogenous mixture results in the formation of tougher and stronger cement, with increased wear resistance. Other types of additives that are commonly added to Portland cement are glass rods and steel wool.
