FACTORS AFFECTING PROPERTIES OF CONCRETE

Concrete is a composite product obtained artificially by hardening of mixture of cement, sand, gravel and water in pre-determined proportions. When these ingredients are mixed, they form a plastic mass which can be moulded in desired shape. It gets hardened into hard solid mass. Water is one of the important ingredients of concrete. This is required not only for chemical reaction, but also for curing purposes. The chemical reaction of cement and water, in the mix, is relatively slow and requires time and favorable temperature for its completion.