Different types of concrete grades and their uses

Whether you are looking for the right domestic or commercial concrete mix for your
construction job, or are just curious about the different grades of concrete and would like to
know more, read on to get an understanding of these different types of concrete and their
uses, or get in contact today by calling us on 01442 389105

Understanding Grades of Concrete

Grades of concrete are defined by the strength and composition of the concrete, and the
minimum strength the concrete should have following 28 days of initial construction. The
grade of concrete is understood in measurements of MPa, where M stands for mix and the
MPa denotes the overall strength.

Concrete mixes are defined in ascending numbers of 5, starting at 10, and show the
compressive strength of the concrete after 28 days. For instance, C10 has the strength of
10 newtons, C15 has the strength of 15 newtons, C20 has 20 newtons strength and so on.

Different mixes (M) come in various mix proportions of the various ingredients of cement,
sand and coarse aggregates. For instance, M20 comes in the respective ratio of 1:1:5:3.
You can see other examples below in the table.

Concrete Compressive Strength

Mix Ratio (cement : sand : aggregates)
Grade MPa (N/mm2)psi
Grades of Concrete
M5 1 : 5 : 10 5 MPa 725 psi
M7.5 1:4:8 7.5 MPa 1087 psi
M10 1:3:6 10 MPa 1450 psi
M15 1:2:4 15 MPa 2175 psi
M20 1 : 1.5 : 3 20 MPa 2900 psi
Standard Grade of Concrete
M25 1:1:2 25 MPa 3625 psi
M30 Design Mix 30 MPa 4350 psi
M35 Design Mix 35 MPa 5075 psi
M40 Design Mix 40 MPa 5800 psi
M45 Design Mix 45 MPa 6525 psi
High Strength Concrete Grades
M50 Design Mix 50 MPa 7250 psi
M55 Design Mix 55 MPa 7975 psi
M60 Design Mix 60 MPa 8700 psi
M65 Design Mix 65 MPa 9425 psi
M70 Design Mix 70 MPa 10150 psi
 

(image provided by 9images)

Choosing the right concrete grade for the construction job:

So what can these grades be used for and which is best for the job at hand? Below is a list
of a few of the initial concrete grades and what they are best used for.

C10

Used for: Patio slabs, pathways and non-structural work

Type: Domestic & commercial use

C15

Used for: Pavement kerbs and floor blinding

Type: Domestic & Commercial

C20
Used for: Domestic floors and foundations (where the weight of structure will be lighter).
Also good for workshop bases, garages, driveways and internal floor slabs.

Type: Domestic

C25

Used for: Construction in all areas. Multi-purpose concrete mix, usually used for
foundations.

Type: Domestic & Commercial

C30

Used for: Pathways and roadways (this is the lowest grade concrete mix that can be used
for this purpose). More durable than the grades that have come before, and thus is much
more weather-resistant and can take heavy road traffic.

Type: Commercial

C35

Used for: Commercial structures. This heavy concrete mix is usually used for creating
external walls and slabs, as well as for structural piling.

Type: Commercial

C40

Used for: Commercial construction sites, creating foundations and beams for structural
support and roads. The most durable in this list, C40 can withstand chemical corrosion also,
so is frequently used on farms where slurry could corrode structures, or in septic tanks.

Type: Commercial

We hope you found this guide useful, and if you are interested in learning more, visit our
blog for more information on the concrete types available to you.
What Is Grade of Concrete?

Grades of concrete are defined by the concrete mix

proportion and the minimum strength of concrete at end of 28
days curing period. The Concrete Grade is can be known
by calculating the compressive strength of concrete in Mpa,
where M stands for mix and the MPa denotes the overall strength

There are different types of concrete mix which are based

on concrete classification according to its compressive strength.

For making concrete we use cement, sand, aggregate, and water

which are mixed with a certain ratio, and concrete is cast and put in
a cube of 150 mm size and put in a water bath for 28 days and
afterward, it is tested in a compression testing machine. The
compressive stress result is known as the “grade of concrete“. It is
expressed in N/mm²

The concrete grade is denoted by M10, M20, M30, and so on

according to their compressive strength.

Read More: Concrete Mix Design Step By Step Full Calculation

Concrete Grade As Per Indian Standards

The “M” refers to Mix and Number after M (M10, M20) Indicates

the compressive strength of concrete after 28
days of curing and testing.
M indicates the proportion of materials like Cement: Sand:
Aggregate (1:2:4) or Cement: Fine Aggregate: Coarse
Aggregate.

If we mention M10 concrete, it means that the concrete has 10

N/mm2 characteristic compressive strength at 28 days.

In the designation of concrete mix M  to the mix and

the number to the specified compressive strength of 150 mm size
cube at 28 days, expressed in N/mm^2.

Read More: How To Check Compressive Strength Of Concrete

Concrete Grade Per British/European standards:

As per  BS 8500-2 British/European standards, the grade

of concrete is denoted as C10, C15, C20, C25, etc., ‘C’ which means
‘Concrete Strength class’ and the number behind C refers to
characteristic Compressive strength of Concrete in N/mm2 @ 28 days
when tested with the 15 cm dia. & 30 cm height cylinder in a direct
compression test.

The grade of concrete is also denoted

as C16/20, C20/25, C25/30, etc., which means Concrete
Strength Class (C) the number behind C refers to Compressive
strength of Concrete in N/mm2 when tested with Cylinder / Cube.

Different mix proportions of the materials used to make

concrete namely

 Cement
 Coarse aggregate
 Fine aggregate
 Water
Result in concretes with different properties.

Concrete Classification

Following are the Standard Concrete Grade with their Mix

Proportions and Strength

Compressive Strength
Grades of  Concrete Mix Ratio (Cement: Sand: Aggregates) psi
MPa (N/mm2)

Lower Grade of Concrete

M5  1: 5 :10 5 MPa 725 p

M7.5 1: 4: 8 7.5 MPa 1087

M10 1 : 3: 6 10 MPa 1450

M15 1: 2: 4 15 MPa 2175

M20 1: 1.5 : 3 20 MPa 2900

Standard Grade of Concrete

M25 1: 1 : 2 25 MPa 3625

M30 Design Mix 30 MPa 4350

M35 Design Mix 35 MPa 5075

M40 Design Mix 40 MPa 5800

M45 Design Mix 45 MPa 6525

High Strength Grade of Concrete

M50 Design Mix 50 MPa 7250

M55 Design Mix 55 MPa 7975

M60 Design Mix 60 MPa 8700

M65 Design Mix 65 MPa 9425

M70 Design Mix 70 MPa 10150

The Selection of the Grade of Concrete Depends on the

Situation and Uses:

Concrete Grade (N/mm2) Ratio  Cement, Sand, and Aggregates Usage

10 1:3:6 PCC 

15 1:2:4 PCC 
 20 1:1.5:3 Normal Construction Concrete

25 1:1:2 Reinforced concrete/precast

30 Concrete Mix Design Heavy Reinforced concrete/pre-cast

35 Concrete Mix Design Pre-stressed/pre-cast concrete

40 Concrete Mix Design Very heavy reinforced concrete/pre-cast/prestres

45 Concrete Mix Design Very heavy reinforced concrete/pre-cast/prestres

FAQs:

c16/20 concrete meaning

In C16/20 concrete grade, C refers to concrete strength,

16 number indicates its characteristics of compressive strength
(fck) on cylinder test that is 16MPa and numerical figure 20
represent its characteristics of compressive strength (fck) on cube
test that is 20MPa.

Grade of Concrete

Grades of concrete are defined by the concrete mix proportion and

the minimum strength of concrete at end of 28 days curing period.
The Concrete Grade is can be known by calculating the compressive
strength of concrete in Mpa, where M stands for mix and the MPa
denotes the overall strength

Concrete grade

Concrete Grade is defined by the concrete mix proportion and the

minimum strength of concrete at end of 28 days curing period.
The Concrete Grade is can be known by calculating the compressive
strength of concrete in Mpa, where M stands for mix and the MPa
denotes the overall strength

concrete grade c25/30 meaning

In C25/30 concrete grade, C refers to concrete strength, 25

number indicates its characteristics of compressive strength
(fck) on cylinder test that is 25MPa and numerical figure 20
represent its characteristics of compressive strength (fck) on cube
test that is 30MPa.

concrete grade 30

The concrete grade 30 does not have a standard concrete mix

ratio. To make M 30 grade of concrete, we have to prepare a mix
design for it as per IS Code. In M 30, M is for Mix and 30 is the
design compressive strength of concrete,

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