Concrete is regarded as one of the most durable and robust building materials humans have used since ancient times. It is the perfect choice for professional builders in other use cases.
There are several ways to effectively assess the total strength of concrete or ready mix concrete. One of the integral factors to note in this aspect is that these strength properties aid in adding different qualities to concrete.
In this blog post, we will discuss the various types of concrete strengths, why these matter and the way these will impact the total cost, quality, and longevity.
Properties Of Concrete Strength And Why Are These Important
Compressive Strength Of Concrete
It is imperative to measure the compressive strength of concrete as this factor helps determine whether a given concrete mixture meets the requirement of a particular project.
Compressive strength is considered the standard measurement of concrete strength, which allows the builders to assess the total performance of a concrete mix. With the help of this, the professionals can easily measure the capability of the concrete to endure enormous loads. It will eventually decrease the concrete size.
PSI Strength Of Concrete
Several factors decide the perfect concrete psi for a construction project. The builders can effectively measure the comprehensive strength of their concrete with the help of PSI or Pounds per square inch.
A higher PSI level indicates that a specific concrete mixture is firm, making it more costly. Moreover, this robust concrete also offers you outstanding durability, which means that it will last for a more extended period.
But, for any project, the minimum ranges between 2500 to 3000 psi. Suspended beams and slabs require a 3500 – 5000 psi level, whereas concrete slabs and footings generally require a 3500 – 4000.
Similarly, the concrete pavements can range anywhere from 4000 to 5000, and concrete walls and columns require 3000 – 5000 psi. One of the essential things to keep in mind is that the concrete structures with built-in cold climates often need a higher psi level to endure more thaw or freeze cycles.
It is essential to test the compressive strength of concrete in 7 days and again after 28 days to find out the correct psi level. The first test aids in determining its early strength gains, and one can even carry out this on the 3rd day. Moreover, the determination of the psi level of concrete occurs from the 28-day test.
Tensile Strength Of Concrete
The tensile strength of concrete suggests its ability to break or crack under tension. It again hugely affects the overall size of cracks in the final structure. Not only that, but it also affects the extent to which they can occur.
It would help if you kept in mind that the development of these cracks occurs whenever the tensile force exceeds the overall tensile strength of the concrete or ready mixed concrete.
The tensile strength of traditional concrete when compared against compressive strength is significantly lower. It means that any concrete structure that requires any tensile stress should be reinforced with materials with better tensile strength, like steel.
It is challenging to test any concrete’s tensile strength directly, so professionals often utilise indirect methods. The most common ones used by professionals while building concrete structures are split tensile strength and flexural strength.
Flexural Strength Of Concrete
Flexural strength is considered an indirect method in which you can measure the tensile strength of concrete. It is defined as a measure of an unreinforced concrete slab or beam to resist failure at the time of bending.
So, it means that, with the help of this, you can ascertain the ability of a particular concrete structure to resist bending. Ideally, it ranges anywhere in between 10 to 15 per cent off the compressive strength of concrete. It is again solely based on the particular mixture you are working with.
In this aspect, you should never forget that this flexural strength is sensitive to the preparation, curing and handling of concrete. You must carry out this specific test while the specimen is still wet. Due to these reasons, the results you get from comprehensive strength tests are more helpful in explaining the total strength of a concrete structure.
More Factors To Consider In This Aspect
Now, let’s have a close look at some other factors which can contribute to the overall strength of concrete:
- Proportioning
- Water to cement ratio
- Mixing
- Curing
Wrapping Up
After reading this comprehensive guide, we hope you have gained a perfect understanding of the different types of concrete strength.
Are you looking forward to learning more about concrete? If yes, you should get in touch with a professional ready mix concrete Essex supplier like RMS Concrete. Being a leading concrete supplier, we will provide high-quality concrete products and outstanding services. Call us today to know more.