Meanings of “Concrete” The word “concrete” has both a material meaning and a figurative one. In construction, concrete is the mix of cement, sand, gravel, and water that hardens into a durable building material. But in everyday language, “concrete” means...
Bag and Cost Calculations A 10x10 slab poured at 4 inches thick requires about 1.25 cubic yards of concrete. Since one cubic yard equals roughly 45 80lb bags, you’ll need around 56 bags for the full slab. If you use...
Cost Estimates by Size The cost of a slab depends on its size, thickness, and whether you do it yourself or hire a contractor. For a 20x20 concrete slab at 4 inches thick, you’ll need about 7.4 cubic yards of...
Drying vs. Curing Basics When talking about concrete, drying and curing are not the same thing. Drying is the loss of surface moisture, while curing is the chemical reaction inside the mix that gives concrete strength. A 4-inch slab may...
Strength Timeline Concrete does not reach its full strength immediately. At the 7-day mark, concrete has typically gained about 65% to 70% of its final compressive strength. This is why builders often use the 7-day test as a benchmark to...
Ratio Basics The 4-2-1 rule is one of the most common mix ratios for making durable concrete. It means four parts gravel, two parts sand, and one part cement. This balance ensures strength, workability, and proper binding between the materials....
