INTRODUCTION

Concrete can be easily prepared by mixing binding material (lime or cement), fine aggregate (sand) and coarse aggregate (crushed stone or brick) and water in the required proportion.

The fine aggregates fill the voids of coarse aggregate, and voids of fine aggregate are filled with lime/cement and also the lime/cement reacts with water and binds the aggregates together to form a hard material called concrete. The quality of a concrete depends on the grade of lime/cement, type of aggregates, quality of water, the mix proportion, method of mixing, placing and compacting, temperature and curing method and its duration.

Concrete produced by mixing cement, coarse and fine aggregates and water is called cement concrete. If lime is used in the place of cement it is called lime concrete. Surkhi concrete is one when surkhi (brick powder) is added along with lime.

Cement concrete has been a construction material used in large quantities for several decades. The reason for its popularity can be attributed to the excellent technical properties and the economy of the material.