betão

Betão is the Portuguese word for concrete. Concrete is a composite material composed primarily of aggregate, a binder, and water. The aggregate is typically composed of coarse aggregate such as gravel or crushed stone, and fine aggregate such as sand. The most common type of binder is Portland cement, which is a manufactured material made from limestone, clay, and other minerals. When mixed with water, Portland cement undergoes a chemical reaction called hydration, which causes it to harden and bind the aggregate particles together.

The properties of concrete can be varied by altering the proportions of its constituent materials, as well as by adding admixtures. These admixtures can improve workability, durability, strength, or other performance characteristics. Concrete is a fundamental material in modern construction, used in a wide range of applications including foundations, walls, floors, bridges, and dams. Its versatility, strength, and relatively low cost make it one of the most widely used building materials worldwide. The term "betão" specifically refers to this material in Portuguese-speaking countries.