Concrete Test Equipment

There are different types of additives used to impart specific properties. Impurities or additives, such as pozzolans or superplasticizers, are included in the mixture to improve the physical properties of the wet mixture or finished material.  Currently, various types of concrete are produced for the construction of buildings and structures. They have special properties and features that improve construction quality as per requirements. concrete parts the components of concrete are cement, sand, aggregate, and water. A mixture of Portland cement and water is called paste. Therefore, we can say that concrete is a mixture of paste, sand and aggregate. Sometimes stones are used instead of aggregate. When the cement paste is well mixed, it covers and bonds the surfaces of the small and large aggregates. Immediately after mixing the components, a hydration reaction begins, providing strength and creating hard concrete. What are the grades of concrete? Concrete grade indicates the strength required for construction. For example, the M30 grade means that the required compressive strength for construction is 30 MPa. The first letter of the brand “M” indicates the mixture and 30 indicates the required strength in MPa. Based on various laboratory tests, concrete grades are expressed in mix proportions. For example, for grade M30 the mixing ratio might be 1:1:2. Here, 1 is the cement ratio, 1 is the sand ratio, and 2 is the coarse aggregate ratio, depending on the volume or weight of the material. Strength is measured in concrete cubes or cylinders by civil engineers at the construction site. Cubes or cylinders are made by casting structural elements and are stored for 28 days after hardening. A compressive strength test is then performed to determine the strength. Common concrete grades are M15, M20, M25, etc. For concrete work using ordinary cement, M15 is usually used. For reinforced concrete structures, concrete grade M20 is used.