Cement and Concrete...Aren't they the same? NO!!

Cement is a powdered mineral substance, and concrete is a solid block. Concrete is made when cement and water are mixed together with sand and crushed rock. When the cement meets the water, a chemical reaction takes place and it acts like a glue, binding everything together into a hard block of concrete.

There are three basic ingredients in the concrete mix:

1. Portland Cement
2. Water
3. Aggregates (rock and sand)

Portland Cement - The cement and water form a paste that coats the aggregate and sand in the mix. The paste hardens and binds the aggregates and sand together.

Water- Water is needed to chemically react with the cement (hydration) and too provide workability with the concrete. The amount of water in the mix in pounds compared with the amount of cement is called the water/cement ratio. The lower the w/c ratio, the stronger the concrete. (higher strength, less permeability)

Aggregates- Sand is the fine aggregate. Gravel or crushed stone is the coarse aggregate in most mixes.

How do we mix concrete? Check it out =)