Concrete is a man-made material, essentially mixed fresh on site. The properties of concrete depend on the properties of its ingredients and their proportion, and it is likely to vary from mix to mix. Typically a concrete mixture would consist of cement, aggregate & water.

Concrete is a highly versatile material, used primarily within the construction industry. In its freshly mixed (un-set) state it can be pumped, poured and moulded into a variety of forms and shapes – as required. In its hardened (set) state it is frequently used for construction purposes.

Due to its importance within the construction industry the quality of concrete is paramount.

Tests must therefore be conducted, to ensure that the concrete used is in accordance with design specifications.

Here are some useful links on concrete & related information

- The Concrete Centre

- BuildEazy

- Portland Cement Association

- Wikipedia

Why should we test concrete?