Concrete is a mixture of cement, sand (fine aggregate), small stone or gravel (coarse aggregate) and water. It has many applications, from fence posts to motorway bases and, because of this, there are many different concrete mix ratios that the constituents can be mixed to with each resulting in a different strength of concrete.
In terms of what different strength concrete mixes there are, they range from C10 up to C40, with C10 being the weakest and C40 being the strongest.
What's the best concrete mix ratio for general domestic jobs?
As a quick answer, a concrete mix ratio of 1 part cement, 2 parts fine aggregate (sand) and 4 parts coarse aggregate will cover most general domestic jobs.
Concrete mixed at this ratio is generally known as a C20 mix and it's more than suitable for garden paths, concreting fence posts, shallow retaining wall foundations, some extension bases, shed bases and many other domestic and commercial applications.
C20 is a medium-strength concrete mix. This means it will attain a strength equivalent to withstanding a compression of 20 Newton's per square mm after 28 days. More details covering types and strengths of concrete and how they should be used can be found below. This mix is not suitable for house foundations.
If you are planning any major renovation or building project, your architect will probably specify the strength of concrete required for your project. If you are at all unsure on the strength you should be using, check!
Concrete mix ratio for a C20 and C20P (Portland) mix
The proportions of materials for a C20 and C20P (P = Portland cement) concrete mix are:
• 1 part cement
• 2 parts fine aggregate (sand)
• 4 parts coarse aggregate
If you are using premixed ballast, then:
• 6 parts premixed ballast
• 1 part cement
This story is from the January/February 2023 edition of The Home Handyman.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the January/February 2023 edition of The Home Handyman.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
RECYCLE OLD CANDLES AND MAKE ICE CANDLES
Enjoying the smell of a favourite candle is one of life's little pleasures. To make my rental house more homey, I've been using candles much more often.
DAILY MEDICINE RACK
I recently got a job where I have infinite access to free wooden pallets, so my mind began soaring at the potential.
TIPS TO REJUVENATE -YOUR HOME FOR SPRING
With Spring upon us, many South Africans will be considering how to refresh their homes - perhaps to place it on the market (it is a time of the year when many people sell) or to have it looking its best for the braai's and entertaining of friends and family.
POWER IN THE GARDEN
Worldwide, cordless battery powered garden and outdoor tools are taking the lead, so much so that most international brands of power tool suppliers are now manufacturing an enormous range of cordless garden, outdoor tools and equipment which now make up a larger percentage of their overall worldwide sales.
STORAGE SHELF
This DIY drawer is really simple to make! I take you step by step showing how I made this storage shelf. It also makes a great DIY monitor stand too!
THE KITCHEN DESIGN MISTAKES TO AVOID
A kitchen is supposed to be the heart of the home, but a few kitchen design mistakes can quickly make it feel like the exact opposite - a space that doesn't quite work how you need it to.
ACDC Dynamics' new initiative uplifts businesses in need of solar and backup power solutions
ACDC Dynamics has launched the Power Partner initiative to uplift small to medium enterprises that are being severely impacted by loadshedding.
Award winning grinding technology
PFERD’s high-performance grinding solution, CC-GRIND ROBUST, wins top award at K.I.T.E.
10 Expert Tips for the Perfect Space for Entertaining
Our expert guide on how to design a dining room covers everything you need to consider, from colour schemes to furniture choice in just 10 easy steps
OPENING UP
The future of the open plan kitchen is evolving