One of the most important building materials for both new construction and remodeling projects is concrete. Using cement and screenings together is one of the most widely used techniques for making concrete. This combination is efficient for a range of applications in addition to being cost-effective.
Fine aggregates, or screenings, are the tiny particles that remain after bigger stones are crushed. They combine with cement to create a robust and long-lasting concrete that can be used for a variety of building applications. Achieving the required strength and consistency requires knowing the precise ratios of these materials.
This post will discuss the ideal proportions of cement to screenings and provide instructions on how to mix them. Additionally, we will go over the best ways to use this kind of concrete for paving, decorative elements, and foundation work.
Knowing the fundamentals of mixing concrete from screenings and cement can greatly improve your construction skills, regardless of your experience level as a builder or whether you are a do-it-yourself enthusiast. Follow along as we delve into the specifics to make sure you have all the knowledge required to fully utilize this useful building method.
The proper ratios are essential for strength and longevity when creating concrete with screenings and cement. Generally, it is advised to use a mixture of one part cement to six parts screenings. This adaptable concrete is suitable for foundations, driveways, pathways, and other structural components. Comprehending the appropriate combination and methodology guarantees enduring and dependable outcomes for your building and remodeling endeavors.
- Types and origin of dropouts
- Component proportions
- Full replacement
- Partial replacement
- Tips for making concrete
- Video on the topic
- CEMENT + DRILLINGS + CRUSHED STONE
- concrete from screenings
- concrete from screenings
- Is it possible to concrete with screenings??
- Concrete from screenings
- FORMULA FOR GREAT CONCRETE
Types and origin of dropouts
There are three types of screenings that can be used to prepare concrete: granite, concrete, and concrete-brick.
- Concrete screenings are obtained by crushing old concrete structures that have served their purpose.
It is ground into crumbs that are no larger than 10 mm. Since most new constructions use concrete from screenings with a fraction of no more than 4 mm, sift to separate into fractions if necessary. Its potential for use stems from the massif’s concrete’s long-term maturation processes, which have turned it into stone that doesn’t react with new cement.
Concrete screenings are used in the construction of roads and industries, in landscaping, and in the manufacturing of products made of reinforced concrete. Because recycled concrete is so cheap, you can drastically lower the cost of the solution.
- Concrete-brick screening also contains brick chips obtained by crushing dismantled walls.
The least expensive filler is also the least dependable because foreign inclusions are frequently found in this concrete screening. For instance, plaster, clay, and wood chips left over from the demolition of old buildings. As a result, it is only applied to secondary building components that do not face heavy loads after washing and cleaning.
- Granite screening is a residual product of crushed stone production, obtained after crushing rocks and calibrating into fractions.
Because of its superior strength properties, this kind of filler is chosen for pouring foundations and other important structures. Moreover, the type of granite and the extraction site can affect the gray and red tones of granite screenings. Colored chips are now widely used in landscape design; they are used to make decorative concrete elements and paving slabs.
Maintaining the right proportions for the foundation and other structures is essential to getting high-quality concrete from screenings and cement. Its power, however, is not solely dependent on this. Both the filler’s size and quality are crucial factors. It needs to be clear, free of organic materials, and have grains between 0.5 and 4-5 mm, though some structures can hold up to 10 mm of larger fractions. Concrete is not a good candidate for fine dusty particle screening.
Component proportions
If granite screenings can completely replace sand and crushed stone, then concrete screenings can only partially replace sand and crushed stone to produce products with high strength, particularly for load-bearing structures.
Full replacement
The amounts for making concrete from screenings vary depending on the type of cement and type of concrete that is needed. In any event, high-grade cement is used, no less than M400, as the strength of the final product is directly influenced by the quality of the binder. She will also be performing at her peak if the proportions are maintained.
- To obtain concrete with strength grade M150, take 8 parts of screenings per 1 part of cement.
- For brand M250, the amount of screenings is reduced to 6 parts.
For the construction of screeds, blind areas, and garden paths, concrete M150 is appropriate. Parking lots, garage floors, and the foundations of secondary buildings are good uses for the more robust M250.
Note: It is preferable to alter the ratios to 1:3 or 1:4 when manufacturing piece unreinforced products like curbs or paving slabs and using screenings in place of sand in the concrete.
Partial replacement
The already established ratios of 1:6 and 1:8 are dispersed equally if the solution is made without coarse filler, such as crushed stone. The proportions of concrete made from sand and cement screenings will be as follows:
- 1:3:3 for M150;
- 1:4:4 for M250.
In other words, the same amount of sand and clean granite screenings are taken. It is preferable to increase the proportion of sand by this volume while reducing the portion of concrete screenings by one part. Take 1:2:4 as an example.
Standard ratios are utilized with crushed stone, and screenings are substituted for one share of each aggregate. For illustration, let’s look at the volumetric ratios of crushed stone, sand, and cement in the M200 mortar.
Pulling information from the table.
When employing M500 cement, the ratios of C:P:SH are 1:3.2:4.9.
We obtain the ratio C:P:SH:O by substituting screenings for one part of crushed stone and sand.
Tips for making concrete
You must follow certain guidelines and keep the structure’s purpose in mind when mixing concrete with screenings.
- If high strength is not required from concrete (for example, when pouring fence posts or screeds under a coating), you can use cheaper concrete screenings or waste from processing limestone rocks.
- For foundations, paving slabs, retaining walls and other structures under load, only granite screenings are used.
- Screenings for floor screed or other products with a flat and smooth surface must have a fine fraction with a particle size of no more than 4-5 mm.
- The addition of plasticizers increases the workability and plasticity of the solution.
- To ensure greater strength of structures, they must be reinforced with steel mesh or a frame of reinforcing bars.
- The water for the solution must be clean; it is better to take it not from open sources, but from a drinking well or water supply.
- When making concrete from screenings and cement at sub-zero temperatures, the water must be heated.
- The consistency of the solution should be such that it mixes easily without running off the shovel or falling off it in a whole piece.
- Excess water makes the solution too liquid, which makes installation easier, but leads to severe shrinkage of concrete when drying and loss of strength.
- The prepared solution must be used immediately, within an hour and a half, otherwise it will begin to set.
Mix Proportions | Applications |
1 part cement, 4 parts screenings, water as needed | Sidewalks, patios, garden paths |
1 part cement, 3 parts screenings, water as needed | Driveways, garage floors, foundations |
Cement and screenings concrete is a flexible and affordable option for a range of building requirements. Understanding the proper ratios will help you make a robust and long-lasting mixture that works well for a variety of uses.
When making concrete with screenings and cement, the usual mix ratio is one part cement to six parts screenings. Depending on the particular needs of your project, such as the required strength and workability of the concrete, this ratio can be changed.
Driveways, garden features, and other non-structural uses are excellent uses for this kind of concrete. Because of its reasonable price, it is a desirable choice for do-it-yourselfers and small-scale projects, offering a dependable substitute for more costly materials.
In conclusion, for a lot of building and remodeling projects, concrete made from screenings and cement is a sensible option. You can create a high-quality mix that satisfies your needs and controls costs by adhering to the proper proportions. This technique can give your work a strong foundation whether you are paving a new patio or adding decorative elements to your garden.