Concrete Lexicon: Understand all the Key Terms
Are you a homeowner looking to get started on concrete projects and work? It’s essential to familiarize yourself with the lexicon of concrete.
Understanding the terminology used in the world of concrete will not only improve your communication with professionals, but will also enable you to undertake your own work with confidence.
Discover the most important terms related to concrete to help you understand this field like our experts!
- Admixture
- Aggregate
- Anchor Bolt
- Cement
- Concrete Mix
- Expansion Joint
- Finish
- Form Release Agent
- Formwork
- Grout
- Hardening
- MPa
- Reinforcement
- Reinforcing Bar
- Shotcrete
- Shrinkage
- Slump
Concrete, our specialty
Before you get started, you should know that Groupe Bellemare produces top-quality concrete for all your projects from its own plants. We offer the following products and services:
- Conventional Concrete Delivery
- Bags of pre-mixed concrete and cement available from our retailers
- Concrete Mixer Rental
- RCC (roller-compacted concrete) Paving Service
- Concrete Calculator for your projects
- Several Specialized Concretes
Concrete Lexicon
Admixtures are chemical additives used in concrete mixtures to modify their properties. They can improve workability, reduce water requirements, accelerate or retard hardening, improve durability or provide special characteristics such as colour, waterproofing and more.
Aggregates are a combination of crushed stone, gravel, sand or recycled materials that make up the bulk of concrete. They confer strength and stability to the mix, and are generally classified as fine (sand) or coarse (gravel and crushed stone).
An anchor bolt is a steel bolt embedded in concrete during construction. It is used to secure structural elements, equipment or devices to the concrete surface. Correct placement and anchoring of bolts is essential to ensure stability and load transfer in concrete structures.
Cement is the binder that holds concrete together. It is a fine powder obtained by grinding clinker, a mixture of limestone, clay and other minerals, at high temperatures. Additions can be made to the mixture to obtain specific characteristics.
Portland cement is the type most commonly used in residential projects.
Concrete mix refers to the precise mixture of cement, aggregates, water and sometimes admixtures, designed to achieve the desired properties of strength, durability and workability. It is often identified by its compressive strength rating.
Expansion joints are flexible materials or spaces incorporated into concrete structures to accommodate thermal expansion and contraction, preventing cracking and damage. They are generally placed at intervals to allow movement without compromising the integrity of the concrete.
Finishes are surface treatments applied to hardened concrete for both aesthetic and functional purposes. Common finishes include swept finish, exposed aggregate, embossed patterns, polished concrete and tinted concrete.
A form release agent is a substance applied to the inner surface of the formwork before the concrete is poured. It prevents the concrete from sticking to the formwork, thus facilitating its removal once it has hardened.
Formwork is the temporary structure used to contain and shape concrete during the pouring and curing process. It can be made of wood, metal or plastic, and ensures that the concrete takes on the desired shape and retains it until it hardens.
Grout is a fluid form of cementitious material used to fill gaps, cracks and voids in concrete. It is commonly used for tile installations, masonry repairs and anchoring applications. Grout provides structural support and helps maintain concrete integrity.
Curing is the process of maintaining appropriate moisture and temperature conditions for freshly placed concrete to ensure optimum hydration and strength development.
MPa is the abbreviation for megapascal. The megapascal is a unit commonly used to indicate the compressive strength of concrete. It represents the pressure concrete can withstand before cracking or collapse.
Reinforcement means adding steel bars, wire mesh or fibres to increase tensile strength and control cracking in concrete structures. Reinforcing materials are generally classified as reinforcing bars (steel bars), wire mesh or fibre-reinforced polymers (FRP).
Reinforcing bar is steel reinforcement used to strengthen and support concrete structures. It is often arranged in a grid to provide additional strength.
This usually involves covering the concrete with plastic sheeting, damp burlap or applying curing compounds.
Shotcrete is a method of pneumatically applying concrete using a nozzle and compressed air. This enables efficient construction of vertical or overhanging surfaces, such as retaining walls, tunnels and swimming pools.
Shrinkage refers to the reduction in volume of concrete as it dries and hardens. This occurs due to the evaporation of moisture from the concrete, resulting in dimensional variations and potential cracking. Proper curing and the use of shrinkage-reducing admixtures can help reduce shrinkage.
Slump refers to the consistency or workability of the concrete mix. It is measured by the amount of vertical settlement the concrete undergoes when a standard conical mould is removed. Slump values indicate the fluidity and ease with which concrete can be placed and finished.
Now you’re ready!
Now that you know more about the vocabulary of concrete, you’re better prepared to implement your own projects!
These essential terms will enable you to communicate more effectively with professionals in the field, and better understand the key concepts involved in successfully completing your concrete work. Whether you’re planning to pour a slab, build a retaining wall or add an aesthetic finish, this concrete glossary will be an invaluable guide for your projects.
Any further questions? Contact our experts!
