Concrete Definitions

A substance which, when added to concrete, increases the rate of hydration which shortens the time of setting, or increases the rate of hardening and strength development.

Granular material, such as sand, gravel or crushed stone used with a hydraulic cementing medium to produce concrete or mortar.

Microscopic air bubbles intentionally incorporated in concrete during mixing to increase durability and resistance against damage by repeat freeze-thaw cycles and deicing chemicals.

A quantity of Portland cement: 94 pounds

Specified at the time of ordering; the amount of cement expressed in bags per cubic yard of concrete. (i.e. 5 bag, 5.5 bag, 6.0 bag) more bags = more strength.

Quantity of concrete mixed at one time.

The emergence of water from newly placed concrete caused by the settlement of the solid materials within the concrete.

A tool comprising a large, flat, rectangular piece of wood, aluminum, or magnesium usually 8 inches wide and 48 inches long and a handle 4 to 16 feet in length used to smooth unformed surfaces or freshly placed concrete.

Concrete is batched and sold by volume, not weight. To calculate the volume required for your project, use our online concrete calculator.

The maintenance of satisfactory moisture content and temperature in concrete during its early stages so that desired properties may develop.

A concrete mix containing natural gravel coarse aggregate. Typically used for interior applications such as garage floors, basement floors, and footings.

A concrete mix containing crushed limestone coarse aggregate. Typically used for exterior applications such as driveways, sidewalks, and patios.

Specified at the time of ordering in lieu of a bag mix. 

A concrete mix specified to meet minimum compressive strength requirements measured in pounds per square inch (i.e. 3000 psi, 3500 psi, and 4000 psi) more psi = more strength and durability. Similar to a bag mix but achieves hardened characteristics by use of pozzolans or admixtures. A cost saving of $2.00 per cubic yard will be realized for the equivalent bag mix. Also slows set times compared to a bag mix. 

Recommended for the weekend warrior.

A hydraulic cement that sets and hardens by chemical interaction with water.

Concrete manufactured for delivery to a purchaser in plastic and unhardened state.

The operation of forming a surface by the use of screed guides (typically forms) and a strike off.

A measurement in hours and minutes of the stiffening of concrete as to resist to a degree of penetration.

A measure of consistency of freshly mixed concrete. Slump is measured in inches. It is the distance that freshly mixed concrete subsides when a conical mold (slump cone) is lifted from the test specimen.

The soil prepared and compacted to support a structure or pavement system; recommended to be granular and free of clay.