beton

Beton is a construction material composed of a cement paste that binds aggregates such as sand and gravel, with water enabling hydration. Portland cement is the most common binder. In Dutch and German, the material is called beton; in English the equivalent term is concrete.

Concrete is produced by mixing cement, aggregates, and water, often with admixtures and supplementary cementitious materials to modify properties. The water–cement ratio controls strength and durability, typically around 0.4 to 0.6. Mixing, placing, and curing follow standardized procedures to develop strength under appropriate conditions.

Concrete has high compressive strength but limited tensile strength, making reinforcement necessary for most structural uses. Steel bars or fibers are commonly used to improve tensile capacity. Proper curing and quality control are essential to achieve predictable performance and durability.

Common varieties include reinforced concrete, prestressed concrete, high‑performance concrete, and self‑compacting concrete. Lightweight concretes use lighter aggregates for reduced density. Additives can improve workability, setting time, or durability.

Applications include foundations, floors, columns, bridges, roads, dams, and marine structures. The material has been used since ancient times, with modern reinforced concrete developed in the 19th century by engineers such as Joseph Monier and François Hennebique.

Environmental considerations focus on cement production’s CO2 emissions and the use of supplementary cementitious materials, recycled aggregates, and efficient mix designs to reduce clinker content. Life‑cycle assessment and concrete recycling are standard practices.