What Is Concrete Made From?

What is concrete made from? The answer to this question depends on what the concrete substance is going to be used for.

Concrete is made out of a mixture of several different substances, depending on the desired effect of the finished product and the desired color of the concrete.

• Typical concrete is made out of two different types of aggregate substances: a course aggregate and a fine aggregate.
• These aggregates usually consist of gravel and fine sand.
• Along with the aggregates is cement, which is generally composed of different kinds of ash and limestone.
• There is also a chemical additive used in concrete, which activates when water is added to the concrete. The chemical additive acts as a catalyst for the setting and drying of the concrete in order to make it the hard, dense substance that it is.
• When the concrete mixture is created to act as a finish with a desired effect, such as for architectural or aesthetic effects, there are other chemical additives that may be added during the catalyst addition. Examples of such additives include dyes or specific chemicals that are designed to make the concrete behave a certain way as it’s being manipulated. 

So, these are the basic answers to the question of what concrete is made from.

Other Additions when Concrete Is Made

Sometimes, other ingredients are added to the concrete such as special stones or colored gravel added. These don’t typically show very much or affect the appearance of the concrete as it’s poured; however, after the substance is leveled out and the person working with it spray washes the top of the surface, the cement washes away from the surface and the gravel mixture is exposed.

This method creates a stone-heavy appearance within the concrete surface. This technique is referred to as “exposed aggregate” concrete, and is most commonly found on patios, sidewalks and footed pathways. 

Making Concrete for Roads

The answer to what concrete is made of can also vary depending on the use of the concrete. For example:

• In most cases, concrete roads or structural surfaces are made out of reinforced concrete.
• Reinforced concrete contains iron bars, called rebars, that run the span of the surface, through the center of the surface’s entirety.
• This rebar support system is used so that the surface created by the concrete doesn’t shift or heave, which would create an uneven surface that could be dangerous for anyone travelling along the concrete pathway. 

Making Concrete for Structures

Some concrete is used for building structures, and there are yet more differences in what this concrete is made of.

• Structural concrete often contains the same support system as concrete used for roads.
• However when the concrete is used vertically, as in walls or building structures, the foundation of the structure must also be constructed of concrete, and must be footed into the ground anywhere from four to eight feet.
• The depth of the concrete varies depending on the regulations set by each state for building specifications.
• There are also state codes for applying any attachments to a concrete structure, requiring special fasteners and support systems for any concrete surface that is not laid on the ground. 

So, now you know what concrete is made of in many different applications.