Concrete is a brilliant material that is a mixture of cement, water, sand and coarse aggregate, but how does concrete gain strength? The proportion of the constituent materials is what determines the strength the concrete reaches after 28 days.
When the cement, sand, stone and water are mixed together, a chemical reaction occurs. The cement and water particles mix to form a paste which then coats the sand and stone to bond the materials together. Through a chemical reaction called hydration, the paste hardens and gains strength to form the rock-like mass known as concrete.
The more cement in the mixture the stronger the concrete becomes. Various factors can affect the strength gain and the first 24 are critical. Concrete must be laid and cured correctly to ensure success. Some contractors request additional water to be added to the concrete, on site, prior to laying however this affects the overall strength of the concrete. Whilst water is needed to produce concrete, too much water can negatively impact the strength gain.
We deliver to the following towns and their surrounding areas: Bedale, Boroughbridge, Catterick, Easingwold, Harrogate, Knaresborough, Leeming, Leyburn, Masham, Northallerton, Ripon, Thirsk and Wetherby.
Please, contact our team here for more details.
