Understanding the Different Types of Concrete Grades

Understanding the Different Types of Concrete Grades

Are you trying to figure out what type of concrete you need? Take a look at this guide to learn more about the different types of concrete grades.

Keyword(s): concrete grades

Each year, we use 22 billion tons of concrete.

With so many uses, it is not surprising that concrete is one of the most popular building materials in the world. There are types of concrete for almost any job, but with so many, it is important to use the right one.

Don't worry! We've put together a guide to the different concrete grades to help you find the right one for your project.

The Different Concrete Grades

The makeup and strength of concrete are measured to give the mix a grade.

This is based on the amount of pressure that cured concrete can take after 28 days, measured in MegaPascals.

C5 - C9

Concrete graded below C10 is known as wet lean mix concrete. Although on the weaker side when it comes to concrete, it is still used for a large range of domestic and commercial projects. It is often used for laying curbs and some domestic foundations.

C10

A very versatile concrete used for both residential housing and general applications. C10 is also heavily used in agricultural applications and trench filling.

Although not suitable for aggressive conditions, it can be used to help pad foundations.

C15

C15 is most often used for residential flooring. Due to its strength, it is suitable for both covered floors and exposed concrete flooring. It is also used as a foundation for small walls, conservatories, and sheds.

C20

Used for lightweight domestic requirements, C20 is also often used for internal floor slabs. It is also ideal for foundations for large walls, garages, houses & extensions.

C25

This concrete has the strength to be used for a range of general groundwork. It is used for flooring, mass filling, and patio foundations. It is also strong enough for use for some agricultural requirements under foundation underfilling.

C30

C30 is the most common type used for concrete pavement construction. It is ideal for eternal requirements where there will be light wear, such as slabbing. You can also use it for outdoor paved areas like stables, walkways, driveways, and garages.

C35

C35 is a heavy-duty concrete. It is perfect for external uses where it will be subject to constant loading and scraping.

This makes it effective for commercial use with the heavy use of industrial vehicles and machinery. It is also well suited for use in agricultural light storage areas.

C40

A commercial grade concrete mix, C40 is used for the most demanding of jobs. It has the strength to allow it to be used for structural supports, footings, and foundations. It is also used for roadworks and in agriculture where strength and durability are key.

Using Concrete the Right Way

As you can see, there are a large number of concrete grades. Whatever you need to do with concrete, there is a grade suited to it.

Remember, no matter the grade, concrete is only as good as its application. If you are looking to use concrete in an upcoming project, contact Perrin Construction today. We can handle the smallest jobs all the way to the largest projects.