How Much Gravel do I Need – Concrete is a mixture of sand, gravel, cement, and water. When wet, it can be formed in different ways. When it hardens or sets, it becomes like rock. It is used to bond bricks or stones, or to make walls, walkways, and sidewalks. The exact ratio of ingredients used confers its particular properties of concrete. If you plan to work with concrete, you must know how the different ingredients play their parts in the production of the final product.
The basic mixture
The basic general concrete purpose is made of 1 part of cement, 2 parts of sand and 3 parts of gravel. Water is added to these ingredients to make a paste filled with gravel. Generally, you do not want to add more water than you need. Too much water makes for the weakness of concrete when it sets. However, too little water, it is too steep to be worked. Once you mix the dry ingredients, mix slowly in the water until the concrete becomes workable.
Aggregated
One of the main reasons for the presence of sand and gravel is to save on the cost of building materials. Cement is much more expensive than sand or gravel. For this reason, the amount of sand and gravel or aggregates in the concrete is maintained at around 60 to 80 percent of the total volume. However, the quantities used to affect the product. The more aggregate used in the more rigid mixture that concrete becomes. The less aggregate used, the soupier the concrete becomes.
Other Mixes
Ingredient ratios sometimes vary from taking advantage of this fact. A mixture of a very rigid concrete would use 1 part of cement, 3 parts of sand and 4 parts of gravel. A recipe for a more practical lot would be 1 part of cement, 2 parts of sand and 2 ¼ parts of gravel.
Sag test
To adjust your mixing ratio for best results, perform a drop test on a test lot. Cut the bottom of a styrofoam cup. Fill the cup with concrete, packing several times down as you go. Turn the cutter over and lift it off the concrete. Located next to the stack so you can measure how much it installs, or sags. If she does not slump more than 25 percent of her height, then she is too stiff. Useless aggregate or more water or both. If it sinks more than 50 percent of its height, then it is too liquid. Use more overall, less water, or both.
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