Concrete is a building material formed by mixing cement, aggregates and water, possibly completed with additives and additions.
Depending on its formulation, use and surface treatments, its performances and appearance can vary significantly. Concrete is the most commonly used material in the world.
Cement is a hydraulic binder:
- It can set when water is added.
- Once this paste hardens, it keeps its strength, even under water.
- It is chosen for work sites depending on its properties (quick setting, strength, etc.)
Aggregates:
There are 4 main types of aggregate:
- shingle (non-crushed alluvial)
- semi-crushed aggregate (partly crushed alluvial)
- crushed aggregates (sandstone, granite, crushed alluvial)
- recycled aggregates (recycled concrete, etc.)
Concrete can be found both in private homes or apartment blocks as well as in industrial buildings and many civil engineering structures such as the Millau Viaduct.
The following are the main types of concrete:
- Ready-to-use concretes
- Reinforced concrete
- Fibred concrete
- Pre-stressed concrete
- High performance concretes
- Self-compacting, self settling and self-levelling concretes
High quality drill bits are needed when drilling concrete. Check out our product selection guide to choose the right one.
See the products for concrete