Cementbeton

Cementbeton is a composite material used in construction, formed by a binding matrix of cement paste reinforced with coarse and fine aggregates. Water reacts with cement to form hydrated compounds that bind the aggregates into a rigid solid.

Typical composition includes cement, water, and aggregates, with possible admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials such as fly ash, slag, or silica fume to modify workability, strength, or durability. The water-cement ratio is a key design parameter that governs strength and permeability. Concrete can be produced as normal-weight or lightweight, and with different performance enhancers to create normal-strength, high-strength, or high-performance concretes. When steel reinforcement is embedded, the material is reinforced concrete; with prestressing, it becomes prestressed concrete. Self-compacting concretes flow easily and consolidate under gravity without vibration.

Curing is essential to develop strength; improper curing causes cracking, reduced strength, and permeability. Common durability concerns include freeze-thaw damage, alkali-silica reaction, sulfate attack, and corrosion of reinforcing steel if cover or quality is insufficient.

Applications include buildings, bridges, roads, foundations, pipelines, and precast elements. Standards and design methods vary by region, including Eurocode 2, ACI 318, and DIN 1048. Cement production has a large carbon footprint; use of supplementary cementitious materials and recycled aggregates can reduce environmental impact. Historically, cementitious binders have roots in Roman mortars, but modern Portland cement was developed in the 19th century and became the dominant binder for cementbeton.