Are there different quality standards of concrete?

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Posted on 18 February 2022

Whether you’re embarking on a domestic or commercial construction project, you may be wondering “Are there different quality standards of concrete?” The answer to this question is yes, there are several grades of concrete to choose from. Read on to find out more about the different types of concrete grades and their uses.  

What are grades of concrete? 

Are there different quality standards of concrete?

Grade of concrete refers to the minimum compressive strength the concrete should have 28 days after construction with proper quality control. We measure C grade concrete using cubic concrete testing. We take samples from a batch of concrete and then test them to ensure the concrete is a suitable strength. A concrete mix is defined in increasing numbers of 5, beginning at 10. For example, C10 has a strength of 10 newtons, C15 has a strength of 15 newtons, and so on.

Sometimes, people measure concrete mixes using a different ratio. For example, you may see M grade concrete. M stands for ‘mix’ and represents the ratio of the cement and fine and course aggregates. M20 grade concrete consists of 1-part cement, 1.5 parts sand and 3 parts aggregate such as gravel or crushed stone. M grade concrete uses a compressive strength radio of MPa N/mm2 psi (pounds per square inch). 

Why are concrete grades important?

Whether you’re laying flooring, installing a driveway, or constructing the foundations of a house, the concrete used in the project needs to be strong enough to withstand the loads expected to be placed upon it. This makes choosing the right grade of concrete essential. Get it wrong and the performance of the concrete will be substandard. There is a risk that will become unstable and break, impacting the structure’s integrity. Larger structures like roads and bridges usually need to be stronger and so require higher grades of concrete such as those above C35. For smaller structures such as patio slabs and domestic driveways, lower strength concrete such as C15 is usually adequate.

The uses of various concrete grades 

Concrete Rotherham

Choosing the right grade of concrete can be difficult. For this reason, it makes sense to order it from a specialist supplier who can assist and advise you. At Doncaster Quickmix, we supply high-quality concrete that’s mixed to your requirements, ensuring that it’s ideal for your project. Below you’ll find a list of the few most common concrete grades and what they are often used for.  

C10 concrete 

C10 concrete is best for domestic projects, including patio slabs, pathways, garden walls and various types of non-structural work.  

C15 concrete

Like C10 concrete, C15 concrete is ideal for domestic projects, including building single storey foundations. It can also be a good option for steps, path paving, and pavement kerbs.

C20 concrete 

The C20 concrete mix is very versatile, making it ideal for a wide range of lightweight domestic and commercial projects. Ideal applications for this grade of concrete include domestic floors and foundations, workshop bases, driveways, garages, and internal floor slabs. 

C25 concrete 

C25 concrete has many different uses, making it a good option for various domestic and commercial building projects. This grade of concrete is common for pouring foundations (footings). It is also a great concrete mix for slab foundations for house and bungalow floors. 

C30 concrete

C30 concrete is frequently used in commercial projects, including constructing roadways and pavements, and pathways. In fact, it’s considered the lowest grade that can be used for this purpose. C30 is much more durable than lower grades, making it not more able to cope with heavy road traffic but the effects of the elements too. 

C35 concrete

C35 is heavy-duty concrete with various commercial uses. Commonly, it’s used for structural piling as well as creating external slabs and walls. Some other uses include external commercial walls and slabs and structural piling. Piling is the process of adding structural piles into the ground to become the base of a building. 

C40 concrete

C40 is the strongest grade of concrete and is designed to withstand heavy-duty loads. It is commonly used on commercial construction sites in the creation of beams and foundations for structural support and roads. Incredibly durable C40 concrete can withstand chemical corrosion and abrasion too, making it a common option on farms where the slurry can corrode structures.

Order high-quality concrete in Doncaster or Rotherham 

Now you know the answer to “Are there different quality standards of concrete?”, you may be ready to place an order. Whatever the nature of your construction project, it makes sense to order from the leading local concrete supplier, Doncaster Quickmix. We supply concrete of various grades, making us the first choice for a huge range of domestic and commercial constructions jobs. We can mix your concrete to your exact specifications in our fully automated batching plant, making sure it’s ideal for your project. All concrete meets BS8500 standards, ensuring optimal quality and durability.

Fast concrete delivery or collection available 

At Doncaster Quickmix, we offer both delivery or collection of concrete in Rotherham and Doncaster. We can deliver it to your site quickly whenever you need it, making sure you don’t need to delay your project. If you’d rather collect it yourself, that’s fine too. Just let us know when you’re coming and we’ll prepare your concrete. The process couldn’t be easier.

Contact us 

If you’re still wondering “Are there different quality standards of concrete?”, get in touch. As the leading concrete suppliers in Rotherham and Doncaster, you can rest assured that we can answer all your questions and queries. Call us on 01302 972997 or 01709 807977 to talk to one of our team. Alternatively, send us a message via our website and we’ll contact you as soon as possible.

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