Betonklassen

Betonklassen, or concrete classes, are a system used to categorize and classify concrete in the construction industry. This system is primarily used in Germany and other European countries, and is based on the compressive strength of the concrete.

The Betonklassen system classifies concrete into several different categories based on its compressive strength. These categories are labeled with a number from 1 to 60, with 1 being the lowest strength and 60 being the highest. The strength is usually measured in terms of the cube compressive strength of a 150 mm cube, and is reported in Newtons per square millimeter (N/mm²).

Concrete is typically classified into the following Betonklassen categories: 1, 2, and 3, which have a strength of up to 10 N/mm², 10-20 N/mm², and 20-30 N/mm² respectively. From there, the categories continue up to 60, with each number representing a specific range of compressive strengths.

In addition to the Compressive strength, the Betonklasse also depends on the class of work. WL is for lightweight concrete, SO for outdoor use and WE for construction of walls and individual elements. The most commonly used work load are WM (motorway construction) and WV (other public works).

This system is an important tool for selecting the correct type of concrete for a specific project, and is widely used in the construction industry. It ensures that the correct strength and properties are used for the specific requirements of the project. This is especially important for load-bearing structures, where the strength and reliability of the concrete are critical to the safety and stability of the structure.