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Why does concrete harden?

Updated: 9/14/2023
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11y ago

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A chemical reaction which is called hydration between the cement & water (also called 'curing') and which takes TIME mostly, it can still be hardening a hundred years later!

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Q: Why does concrete harden?
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What temperature does concrete need to be to harden?

all things that need to dry are based on 72 degrees concrete needs 30 days to fully cure.


Will cement harden in the cement truck if it is not rotating?

Actually, the rotation is mainly to keep the concrete well mixed and homogeneous during transport, thereby insuring the sand, gravel, water, and cement is well mixed. The concrete itself will set up or harden at approximately the same rate of time, regardless, whether it is rotating or not. Typical concrete mixes show noticeable hardening/stiffening after approx 2 hours, depending on temperature and other factors.**Note: The correct term is concrete. Cement is actually the dry gray powder, that when hydrated with water, bonds the rock and sand together to make concrete.


Does the amount of water in a gravel based concrete depends on how fast it will harden?

yes, because after casting, concrete will get its 90% strength within 28 days and proper hydration require the proper amount of water for atleast 28 days.


How long does it take for concrete to harden?

it takes 28 days to fully cure, It would be advisable not to drive on it before that because of micro cracks, which will continue to migrate through time, causing spiderwebbing outside of your control joints, Depends on the cement used some quick cure cements can harden in an hour


How does the fineness affect the time of setting?

Setting begins to occur after the concrete is mixed and even before pouring. The cement in the concrete begins to stiffen after mixed with water. The concrete is beginning to change from liquid form to solid form. During the setting process, the concrete does gain strength, which is the beginning of the hardening process. When the water ingredient is added to the concrete mix, the concrete is still pliable and flexible, sort of a paste. There is two stages of setting: initial and final setting. Initial setting is when the concrete loses it flexibility and begins to harden. Final setting is when the concrete can sustain some load, but still has some moisture within the mixture. Hardening

Related questions

How do you cut up a bag of harden concrete mix?

With a sledgehammer.


Can you eat concrete?

if you smother it in kethcup you can eat anything Actually no you cannot eat concrete. Well you should not eat concrete, the body is primarily made up of water. What is needed for concrete to harden? Water. Think about it, it would harden in your lower intestine and you would have some hard crap. Literally. Not a good idea.


What causes concrete to harden?

Chemical reaction of lime and dehydrated gypsum with water.


What are the constituents of concrete?

Concrete is composed of water, cement and sand. It has three constituents. Concrete is mixed as a wet mixture, poured into place and allowed to harden and dry.


What temperature does concrete need to be to harden?

all things that need to dry are based on 72 degrees concrete needs 30 days to fully cure.


Why does concrete have to be placed compacted and finished within a certain time from when the concrete was mixed?

Concrete cures and hardens from chemical reactions over a specific period of time. If the concrete work is not completed within the specific period of time, the fluid concrete will harden and become unworkable.


What is meant by binder material in concrete?

The binder in concrete is usually cement. Cement causes the aggregate and sand to bind together mechanically and harden to make a solid surface.


What material is very durable artificial rock?

No. Cement is used to hold the rocks of concrete together. Cement by itself does harden in water. but it not a very hard or durable product.


What chemical is use to harden concrete hollow blocks up to 1200 pounds per square inch?

flube block master,,,an italiyan product


Will cement harden in the cement truck if it is not rotating?

Actually, the rotation is mainly to keep the concrete well mixed and homogeneous during transport, thereby insuring the sand, gravel, water, and cement is well mixed. The concrete itself will set up or harden at approximately the same rate of time, regardless, whether it is rotating or not. Typical concrete mixes show noticeable hardening/stiffening after approx 2 hours, depending on temperature and other factors.**Note: The correct term is concrete. Cement is actually the dry gray powder, that when hydrated with water, bonds the rock and sand together to make concrete.


Does the amount of water in a gravel based concrete depends on how fast it will harden?

yes, because after casting, concrete will get its 90% strength within 28 days and proper hydration require the proper amount of water for atleast 28 days.


How does mixing concrete and allowing it to harden is similar to formation of sedimentary rock?

Both processes include sediments and water, with the water facilitating the setting of the material. However, sedimentary rock tends to form under pressure, whereas the hardening of concrete just requires it to dry out.