In industrial construction projects, the strength of the concrete used is very important. This is because the surface as well as the walls will likely undergo a lot of stress throughout the life of the building and you want the building to hold up well as long as it is in use. There are several factors that affect the strength of concrete, and below we will look at some of the most important ones.
The Ratio of Water to Cement
The water to cement ratio is simply the ratio of the amount of water used to the amount of cement used. It is calculated by dividing the mass of water with the mass of cement used in a mix. When this ratio is around 0.4, the cement can react well with the water to form hydration products. If the ratio is higher than this, the space occupied by the water will form pores once the cement dries. The compressive strength of the cement will be reduced due to these pores and this cement mix is likely to crack or not hold up well under pressure in the long term.
Concrete Porosity
If the concrete used is too porous, these pores can be filled by water or air as the concrete mixes. These pores are usually large enough to be seen if you examine the concrete supplied. Because of these pores, the compressive strength of the mix will be significantly lower and the mix will not be suitable for use in industrial settings.
The Strength of the Aggregate
It should be obvious that if the aggregate used is of questionable strength, the concrete mix will also be weak. Weak rocks are clearly not suitable for construction purposes and every contractor should check the aggregate supplied to ensure it is strong enough for the use it is for.
Cement Grade
Cement of a higher grade has a higher surface area. This means that there is a lot more surface of the cement particles for hydration. Be careful when choosing the cement grade because a higher grade can make you think you are not using enough water as it is quickly absorbed. Remember, too much water can result in a non-optimal water to cement ratio, thereby ruining the mix.
Compaction
Above, we have looked at how pores in the concrete mix can cause the compression strength of the concrete to decrease. Compaction can help reduce the amount of air once the concrete is poured. It can also help bring excess water to the surface, thereby helping reduce the number of potential pores that would be left as this water evaporates. A good way of doing this is by using proper vibration techniques. This is especially important where there is a lot of concrete to be poured, meaning that compaction cannot be done manually.
Using Just Enough Cement
As a general rule, using more cement usually results in stronger concrete. That said, adding too much cement can cause a lot of heat generated from hydration. This can cause cracks or even destroy the mix.
Using Reinforcing Mesh
Although this is not strictly about the concrete itself, reinforcing mesh can help increase the strength of concrete as it is poured. Reinforcing mesh can be used to enhance the strength of screeds by increasing their flexural strength. This means that the screed will be a lot more flexible as it dries up, especially around joints and pipes. Using reinforcement mesh in this way reduces the risk of cracks and shrinkage, which makes for a better and stronger surface.
Buy Ready Mix Concrete
If you want to guarantee that the concrete you pour is of the right strength, it would be wise to go with a company that supplies ready mix concrete. Reputable companies will have quality assurance checks in place to ensure all factors are considered when doing their concrete mixes. In most cases, they let you use a concrete calculator to calculate the amount of concrete you need. The results from the concrete calculator UK are used to calculate the quantity of materials required to get the right mix for your needs.
For commercial projects, you use a concrete mix calculator followed by a screed calculator so you can provide the company supplying the concrete with the right amounts for the area you need covered. The screed calculator on this website will help you know what the right amounts are. It is provided by MixIt, a leader in the supply of ready-mix concrete, as well as other concrete products for all your construction needs. Their state-of-the-art quality control checks ensure you get the right concrete mix so you never have to worry about the strength you are pouring ever again.
There are some rules that must be followed when mixing concrete, especially for industrial use. If you get all of these right, you will get concrete that is of the right strength and composition for industrial use. You will also reduce the chances of shrinkage, cracking or curling, all of which can destroy your project.