More Concrete Terms

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In order to understand the industry, it helps to become familiar with some of the concrete terminology.  The following is another list of some important concrete terminology that is taken from the American Concrete Institute’s ACI Concrete Terminology.   

Dense-graded aggregate — aggregates graded to produce low void content and maximum density when compacted. (See also well-graded aggregate.)

Elastic design — design based on a linear distribution of flexural stresses and strains and corresponding limiting elastic properties of the material

Evaporation retardant — a material applied to the surface of concrete before initial setting to reduce the evaporation rate of water without interfering with finishing operations (also called evaporation reducer). (See also monomolecular.)

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) — a general term for a composite material comprising a polymer matrix reinforced with fibers in the form of fabric, mat, strands, or any other fiber form. (See composite.)

Fine aggregate — (1) aggregate passing the 9.5 mm (3/8 in.) sieve, almost entirely passing the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve, and predominantly retained on the 75 mm (No. 200) sieve; (2) that portion of aggregate passing the 4.75 mm (No. 4) sieve and predominantly retained on the 75 mm (No. 200) sieve

Flowing concrete —cohesive concrete mixture with a slump greater than 7-1/2 in. (190 mm)

Fly ash — the finely divided residue that results from the combustion of ground or powdered coal and that is transported by flue gases from the combustion zone to the particle removal system.

Formwork — total system of support for freshly placed concrete including the mold or sheathing that contacts the concrete as well as supporting members, hardware, and necessary bracing

Green concrete — concrete that has undergone final setting but not hardened appreciably

High-performance concrete — concrete meeting special combinations of performance and uniformity requirements that cannot always be achieved routinely using conventional constituents and normal mixing, placing, and curing practices

High-strength concrete — concrete that has a specified compressive strength for design of 8000 psi

(55 MPa) or greater

Lightweight concrete — concrete of substantially lower density than that made using aggregates of normal density; consists entirely of lightweight aggregate or a combination of lightweight aggregate and normal-density aggregate; its equilibrium densities are generally between 70 and 120 lb./ft3  (1120 and 1920 kg/m3).

Moisture content of aggregate — the ratio expressed as a percentage of the mass of water in a given quantity of aggregate to the dry mass of that quantity of aggregate.

Sources:  concrete.org/tools/concreteterminology.aspx

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