Britannica Sources used in this answer

Why can too much water make concrete weaker?

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

In the production of concrete, the character and final strength of the material are largely determined by the water-to-cement ratio.

The mixture requires only enough water to ensure that each aggregate particle is completely surrounded by the cement paste and that the spaces between the aggregate are filled. Because the strength of the concrete is inversely related to its water content, adding excess water beyond what is necessary to achieve the required fluidity for pouring and spreading results in a weaker final product.1