Concrete Basics

Concrete Basics By Santa Fe Concrete – Everything You Need To Learn and Know to Understand Concrete

STRUCTURAL CONCRETE

COLORED CONCRETE

SELF CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE

PERVIOUS CONCRETE

RAPID SET CONCRETE

POLISHED CONCRETE

• LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE
• HEAVY WEIGHT CONCRETE
• HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETE

THE STANDARD SIX COMPONENTS OF CONCRETE
1. Cement
2. Coarse Aggregate (rock)
3. Fine Aggregate (sand)
4. Water
5. Fly Ash
6. Chemical Admixtures (to enhance a variety of characteristics)

The aggregate comprises from 60% to 75% of a concrete mixture, and cement paste (the combination of cement, water, and possibly fly ash) makes up the difference. At Santa Fe Concrete, we use a Type I/II Portland Cement; and Type II cement is rated as “Moderate Sulfate Resisting”. Sulfate Resistance is crucial in the Santa Fe area due to the naturally occurring conditions in local soil. Below, you will find a table defining the types of Portland Cement. The coarse and fine aggregates we use at Santa Fe Concrete, meet ASTM C-33, which ensures their quality and consistency. We use potable water, which can be provided at 35 degrees Fahrenheit in the summer, or 140 degrees Fahrenheit in the winter. We suggest the use of fly ash in many different situations, which will be discussed fully later; our fly ash is a type F. Santa Fe Concrete uses Santa Fe Concrete uses GCP Chemical Company Admixtures for concrete.

Material Certification

• Cement – Holcim Cement
• Fly Ash – Salt River Materials Group
• Fine Aggregates – Cochiti Pit Sand C-33
• Intermediate Aggregate – Cochiti Pit 3/8 C-33
• Coarse Aggregate—Cochiti Pit C-33
• Integral Color – Davis Colors
• Fiber – GCP Sinta M2219 Micro Fiber

Admixture

• Low Range
• High Range
• Accelerator
• Air