Concrete

Concrete is a composite material composed of fine and coarse aggregate bonded together with a fluid cement (cement paste) that hardens (cures) over time. In the past, lime-based cement binders, such as lime putty, were often used but sometimes with other hydraulic cements, such as a calcium aluminate cement or with Portland cement to form Portland cement concrete (named for its visual resemblance to Portland stone). Many other non-cementitious types of concrete exist with different methods of binding aggregate together, including asphalt concrete with a bitumen binder, which is frequently used for road surfaces, and polymer concretes that use polymers as a binder.

History

The earliest large-scale users of concrete technology were the ancient Romans, and concrete was widely used in the Roman Empire. The Colosseum in Rome was built largely of concrete, and the concrete dome of the Pantheon is the world's largest unreinforced concrete dome.

Composition

Concrete is composed of fine and coarse aggregates bonded together with an adhesive (cement). These aggregates are typically different types of stone, but can also be other materials.

Cement

Cement, most commonly Portland cement, is the most prevalent kind of concrete binder. It is a fine powder that acts as the glue that holds the concrete together when mixed with water, and allows it to harden into a rock-like mass.

Aggregates

Aggregates are the stone-like elements in concrete. They can be a variety of sizes, from microscopic particles to large pieces of rock. The aggregates used in concrete are typically natural stones or rocks, but can also be man-made materials.

Properties

Concrete has many properties that make it a popular material for a wide range of applications. It is strong and durable, making it an excellent building material for both structural and decorative elements. It is also resistant to fire and water, which makes it a good material for buildings and structures that need to withstand these elements.

Uses

Concrete is used in a wide variety of applications, including buildings, roads, bridges, dams, and tunnels. It is also used in decorative applications, such as stamped concrete and acid staining.

See also

• Cement
• Aggregate
• Portland cement
• Asphalt concrete
• Polymer concrete

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Concrete

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