An Introduction to Concrete

1. An Introduction to Concrete

2. Used for hundreds of different types of construction work, from sidewalks and homes to high rise towers, concrete has properties that can be customized according to the specific needs of each building job, and has played a significant role in the construction industry since its humble beginnings way back in 1875. However, despite seeing concrete used all around our town and cities, many know little about how it’s made or what it’s made from. If you’re going to be undertaking a construction project soon, and would like to know whether to hire a concrete contractor, the following information may help you decide:

3. What are the core ingredients of concrete? Typically comprised of cement, gravel, sand and water, minor differences in the cement variants used to make concrete may occur, but sand, gravel and water remain constant. • Cement –the main ingredient, the most commonly used variant is Portland Cement. • Gravel – used to increase the internal strength of the mix by the concrete contractor, if made without it, it wouldn’t be able to support heavy loads and could quickly break down and cause cracks to form on the surface.

4. Sand – this is used to fill the holes left between the particles of gravel, as air pockets are not conducive to a good concrete mix. Adding sand also helps to smooth out the mix. • Water – used to help mix the other 3 ingredients together, it gives concrete its workability, and how much water is used, will determine the strength of the concrete mix.

5. Why is concrete so easy to customize? The 4 ingredients mentioned above are usually used in varying ratios to achieve the desired properties of concrete, but out of them all, the ratio of water to cement is the most important. Should a thinner mix be required by the concrete contractor, then more water can be added, while if a thicker mix is required, more cement is added to the water.

6. What are the ratios in a concrete mix? Gravel and sand make up almost ¾ of the concrete mix, with cement and water making up the rest. Also known as aggregates, it’s important to use gravel particles that are similar in size for a more uniform application and streamlined workflow. A good concrete contractor will even filter the sand for rough stones and particles, to ensure that only the finest of sand is used in the mix. What are the different types of concrete mix? There are an average of 24 types of concrete mixes used in construction today, and which type is used, will depend entirely upon its intended application:

7. Type 1 – this type is widely used for the construction of residential homes, foundations and sidewalks • Type 2 – in an environment in which the concrete may be prone to sulfate exposure, this type is used • Type 3 – used for freezing conditions • Type 4 – customized constructions will typically use this concrete mix type • Type 5 – this type of mix has an even higher resistance to sulfate conditions than type 2 For a more detailed idea of whether your construction project requires a professional concrete contractor, reach out to a reputable construction company in your area today, and begin building your dreams!

8. RZ Construction Group Inc is a fully inclusive general contractor and concrete contractor in Astoria NY. From initial design to final clean up, our results speak for themselves. We are fully licensed, insured, and bonded to provide both commercial and residential construction services to customers in Astoria and the surrounding area. Proud to serve New York State for 25 years. No job is too small nor too big. If you are looking for construction companies in Astoria NY or want to know more about our wide range of professional but affordable construction and repair services, reach out to us at (718) 938-9887.