The Uses & Grades of Concrete in Construction

Concrete grades according to its strength and composition, as well as the 30-day minimum strength. Mpa is the unit of measure for the grade in concrete, with M denoting mix weight and Mpa denoting overall strength. Different kinds of mixes (M), which consist of cement, sand, and fine aggregate, differ in the proportions of their ingredients. The ratios for M20, for example, are 1:1:3:5.

Types of Concrete Grades & its Proper Usage

Concrete mixes are numbered according to the compressive strength after 28 days, with the first number being 10. An example of a C10 is that it can support 10 tons of weight, while an example of a C15 is that it can support 15 tons of weight and an example of a C20 is that it can support 20 tons of weight.

In the concrete world, wet lean mix concrete classifies below C10 grade. Even though concrete is weaker than many other building materials, it continues to use for a large range of construction projects, both domestic and commercial. Curbs and domestic foundations commonly pave with it.

C10

Patios and sidewalks are constructed of concrete slabs. They are used for commercial as well as residential construction.

C15

Typically, it is used for kerb and blinding, and both domestic and commercial use is found for this type of concrete.

C20

Floors and foundations used for domestic applications where structure weight can be reduced. It's used as a workshop base, garage floor, driveway and internally as a floor slab.

C25

The material is used for all types of construction. A versatile concrete mix widely used in both residential and commercial construction.

C30

Commercial type C30, used for highways and paths. Concrete mixes of this grade are suitable for this use. Unlike previous grades, this grade is more durable, and it can therefore withstand heavy traffic and harsh weather.

C35

Constructions of type C35 are commercial and are used for structures that serve businesses. Concrete mix of this heavy weight is typically used for creating external walls, slabs, and structural pilings.

C40

Commercial construction sites use C40 to build foundations and beams for roads and structural support. A tough and resilient product, C40 is also resistant to chemical corrosion, so it is frequently used in septic tanks or on farms where slurry might cause corrosion.

Proper Concrete Grade Selection

The type of concrete used in construction depends on the requirements of the structural design. The nominal mix is a type of concrete mix, while a design mix is a type of concrete mix. The nominal mixed concrete, or NMCC, is commonly used for housing and small building projects with minimal concrete consumption.

The construction industry usually faces various problems related to quality control during the process of mixing concrete. Nominal mixes address this. Lab test is used to determine the proportions of design mix concrete. It maintains quality when selecting materials, mixing, and transporting concrete used in design mixes.

In large-scale concrete construction, this concrete offers proportions based on local materials and offers economic benefits. For these reasons, design mix concrete uses in concrete construction projects.

Therefore, structural requirements are used to select the right grade of concrete. Small-scale construction typically uses concrete mixes such as C15, C20, & C25. Concrete grades C30 and above prefer large structures that require high strength. Depending on the mix design, the proportions of this concrete will differ.

Wrapping it Up

There are a lot of different types of concrete on the market, as you can see in the table. No matter what you need concrete for, there is a grade that matches your needs.

You can only get good results with concrete if you apply it properly, regardless of grade. You can handle both the smallest and the largest projects with concrete if you want to use it in a future project.

To learn more, watch the following video tutorial.

Video Source: Civil Engineers

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The Uses & Grades of Concrete in Construction