Concrete is a unique material that is used in construction. It can be used when laying the foundation of buildings, as well as its individual components. Piece items, for example, paving slabs, countertops, balusters, vases, etc., can also be made from it.
Concrete is made using modern technologies that make it similar to natural analogues like marble or granite. In appearance, concrete is not attractive enough as the solutions mentioned above, but it is inexpensive, has outstanding qualities and is not radiation. If you decide to refuse to purchase the finished mortar, then you need to familiarize yourself with the ratio of cement, sand and crushed stone in concrete.
The process of preparing the composition is quite simple, however, it is necessary to take into account some features and moments that determine the suitability and quality of the material. Depending on what goals the master adheres to, the recipe and method of preparation may vary.
Specialist recommendations
The simplest concrete option is a mixture of coarse sand and cement mortar. Such a composition is used as a base preparation. Some shut it at the bottom of the formwork. At the same time, water is added in an insignificant amount, so that the mixture regains its density, as in moistened soil. Strength in this case cannot be achieved, however, it will be possible to make a solution that will become a protection for the main foundation from moisture and subsidence.
If at the exit you need to get more durable concrete, then you can use crushed stone as a filler, the fraction of which varies from 20 to 35 mm. The final quality of concrete will depend on the composition and purity of the components.
The selection of material ratios
The ratio of cement, sand and crushed stone in concrete will vary, depending on the goals. To form the foundation, strong concrete is required, which provides for the presence of coarse gravel with elements up to 35 mm in size. The composition should be made fluid, for which concrete should be compacted and rid of air bubbles. You can do this manually.
Before you fill the solution, you need to equip the substrate. For this, concrete with not so impressive strength indicators is used - B7.5. In its composition, in addition to cement mortar, coarse sand can be present. For this mixture, the consistency should be non-liquid.
When choosing the ratio of cement, sand and crushed stone in concrete when preparing a solution for the foundation, you must remember that the solution should be made liquid, and the aggregate should have a middle fraction. This will ensure ease of distribution of the mixture over the surface with a thin layer.
The middle and small fractions of the filler are indispensable in the formation of balusters, as well as some elements that can become part of the decor. The concrete composition of the ingredients is determined by state standards 7473-94. It is important to take into account the density of ingredients and the average density of concrete, which are determined in each specific situation. After calculating the ratios, you can begin to prepare and pour concrete.
Composition and proportions of concrete using cement M400
If you are interested in the ratio of cement, sand and crushed stone in concrete, then you must first decide which brand of cement will be used. If this is M400, then to obtain concrete of the M100 brand, it will be necessary to combine cement, sand and crushed stone in the ratios: 1: 4.6: 7. If cement is used in a volume equal to 10 l, then 41 l of sand and 61 l of crushed stone should be prepared. This will allow you to get 78 liters of concrete, if you use cement, the volume of which will be 10 liters.
If you wondered what the ratio of cement, sand, gravel is in concrete, then you should also consider the brand of concrete M150. The above ingredients are added in the same sequence as follows: 1: 3.5: 5.7 parts. 32 liters of sand and 57 liters of crushed stone will require the same amount of cement. Of cement, the volume of which is limited to 10 liters, you can mix 64 liters of concrete.
If you need to obtain concrete grade M450, you should add cement, sand and gravel in proportions that look like this: 1: 1.1: 2.5. The amount of cement mentioned above will require the same amount of sand and 22 liters of crushed stone. From the cement of the mentioned volume, 29 liters of concrete will be obtained.
The ratio of ingredients for concrete using cement M500
Quite often, novice home masters are interested in what is the percentage of concrete. Cement, sand, gravel are added in the following proportions: 1: 5.8: 8.1, which is true if concrete M100 grade is needed for the work. At the same time, sand and gravel are combined in proportions of 53:71, if 10 l of cement is used. Concrete from a fixed volume of cement can get 90 liters.
If the design requires concrete grade M250, then cement, sand and gravel need to be combined in this way: 1: 2.6: 4.5. 24 liters of sand and 39 liters of gravel will be needed if you use the same 10 liters of cement. In the end, it will be possible to get 50 liters of concrete. If you are also interested in the ratio of cement, sand, gravel in the preparation of concrete, then you can also consider the proportions for the M450 brand. Cement, sand and gravel are added in the following respects: 1: 1.4: 2.9. 12 liters of sand and 25 liters of crushed stone will go to the cement volume specified in the article. As a result, it will be possible to get 32 liters of concrete.
Specialist advice
The most common proportions are: 1, 3 and 6 parts of cement, sand and aggregate, respectively. In this case, 1 part of water will be needed. The liquid can be added in an amount of 0.5 parts, which is true if the solution should not be so fluid.
After calculations, it is necessary to determine the method that will allow you to measure the components. You will only know the weight and volume values, which are sometimes incompatible with those in reality. This is due to the fact that sand, for example, can be quite wet or completely loose. That is why the ten-liter bucket will not contain the weight recommended by the ratio.
For reference
Before starting to prepare concrete, sand and gravel is recommended to dry better than trying to calculate the number of servings of ingredients. In order to understand what is friability, and to withdraw portions, it is necessary to weigh each ingredient in relation to one volume. Therefore, a suitable container should be taken and filled with sand without tamping. The same should be done with cement and aggregate.
Conclusion
Now you know what proportions of sand, gravel, cement, water in concrete are. But in the process of mixing it is best to use special equipment, such as a concrete mixer. With its help, quickly and efficiently it will be possible to obtain concrete of a uniform consistency. It does not exfoliate and does not seize ahead of time, as can happen with the manual method of mixing the components. If you decide to prepare concrete, the proportions of crushed stone, sand, cement must first be studied and only after you start work. All dry ingredients are mixed, and then water is poured.