Types Of Concrete Mix
There are essentially 3 types of concrete mix, these are:
- Unworkable Concrete
- Medium Workable Concrete
- Highly Workable Concrete
But what does this mean?
Unworkable Concrete
Also known as "harsh concrete" - unworkable concrete is a mix that uses very little water. This kind of mix has a high segregation of aggregates as cement is not typically lubricated enough to stick to them. It can be very difficult to maintain the homogeneity of concrete mix and compaction needs a lot more effort. The water to cement ratio is typically below 0.4.
Medium Workable Concrete
This is concrete with medium workability. It is used in most construction works as it is easier to mix, transport, place and compact without much segregation and loss of homogeneity. Generally it is used in construction with light reinforcement. The water to cement ratio is typically between 0.4 to 0.55.
Highly Workable Concrete
Highly workable concrete is a more fluid mix that is very easy to mix, transport, place and compact. This kind of concrete is normally used where effective concrete compaction is not possible or in mass concrete. It flows easily and will settle with minimum effort. An example of this kind of mix is self-compacting concrete that contains a cement to water ratio of 0.55 or more.