Britannica Sources used in this answer

Which ingredients are mixed to make ordinary concrete?

Created from Britannica articles using AI. AI can make mistakes, so verify using Britannica articles.

Cement The cement-making process, from crushing and grinding of raw materials, through roasting of the ground and mixed ingredients, to final cooling and storing of the finished product.

Ordinary concrete is a structural material created by mixing three primary components: cement, water, and aggregate.1

The ingredients function as follows:

Cement: Acts as the bonding agent that holds the mixture together. Portland cement is the most common type used in modern production.1
Water: Essential for the chemical reaction that allows the cement to set and harden. The ratio of water to cement is a critical factor in determining the final strength of the concrete.1
Aggregate: A chemically inert particulate substance that provides volume and stability. It is typically categorized into two types:
- Fine aggregate: Usually consists of sand, crushed stone, or slag screenings.23
- Coarse aggregate: Consists of gravel, broken stone, or slag.23

The mixture must contain enough water to ensure that the cement paste completely surrounds each aggregate particle and fills the spaces between them, creating a consistency that can be effectively poured and spread.1