For every concrete mix, four-two-one is the best bet: four parts crushed rock, two parts sand, and one component cement. The four-two-one combination includes seven pieces. Conveniently, the ratio may be blended on any scale while mixing concrete. The amount of water added to the mixture depends on how dry the materials are before they're mixed together.
The most common mix proportions for concrete are 40-20-40 and 30-15-30. These mixes contain exactly twice as much coarse aggregate as fine aggregate, which means they can be used in almost any type of project. Coarse aggregates include gravel, stone, and crushed brick. Fine aggregates include sand and vermiculite. A mix with too much coarse material is called a hardmix, and one with too much fine material is called a softmix. Hardmixed concrete must sometimes be supplemented with additional water to ensure proper workability (the ability to pour), whereas softmixed concrete needs only air to become fluid.
Concrete mix ratios are important factors in producing a strong, durable product. If you use the wrong proportion of ingredients, your concrete could end up being understrength—not enough water has been added or the mixture has been overmixed. This will cause it to be too dry, and when it's poured it won't set properly.
The concrete ratio varies on the strength you want to attain, but as a general rule, a basic concrete mix would be 1 part cement to 2 parts sand to 4 parts aggregates. A foundation mix of one part cement, three parts sand, and six parts aggregates can be employed. As with most things in construction, there are exceptions depending on what kind of material you are using.
For example, if you were making a mix for decorative concrete, it might have two parts cement, four parts sand, and six parts aggregate by volume. The choice of additives depends on how much texture or color you want in the finished product. If you want a smooth surface, add more sand to the mix. If you want a rougher finish, then add some of these items: crushed rock, glass, recycled materials, or charcoal.
The type of cement you use will also affect your mix. If you were making a mix for ordinary home-building concrete, we would recommend using portland cement. This is the standard concrete ingredient and will give your mix the right durability if used properly. If you wanted your mix to burnish like marble, though, you could use lime or calcium carbonate instead. These ingredients are common in decorative concrete mixes.
As for the type of sand you use, this will determine how hard your mix will be when it's done.
Half of the cement, sand, and aggregates (for a concrete mix alone) should be measured. Using half of the mix now will prevent it from drying out before you get a chance to use it all; you may combine the other half later. If the mixture gets too dry, add water until the dough is workable but not so wet that it's dripping off your hands.
There are several ways to make dry mortar: mix dry ingredients first, then add water; or mix water with dry ingredients, then add more dry ingredients; or finally, add water to dry ingredients and stir until well blended.
Which method you choose depends on how much time you have and what kind of consistency you're looking for in the mortar. If you want a smooth, pourable liquid that you can use right away, mix the water with the dry ingredients and let stand for a few minutes to allow any dust particles to settle out. Then, using a large spoon, stir the mixture until it comes together into a loose dough. This can be done by hand or using an electric mixer. It's important to keep in mind that as you mix in more water, the mortar will become softer and workier.
Once you've got your mix ready, it's time to use it.
1 part cement, 3 parts sand A three-part mix yields a concrete mix with a compressive strength of about 3000 psi. Mix water with the cement, sand, and stone to create a paste that will bind the materials together until the mixture solidifies.
The type of rock used in a concrete driveway affects how it looks and how hard it is. If you use coarse rock, the driveway will look rustic and old-fashioned. If you use fine rock, the driveway will look more modern. Coarse rock is any rock larger than.06 inches while fine rock is smaller than.06 inches. Concrete made with coarse rock will look rustic, while concrete made with fine rock will look more modern. Coarse or fine? That's up to you! The main thing is that you use both types of rock in your concrete so that it looks like one continuous surface.
The type of wood used in a concrete driveway affects how it looks and how hard it is. If you use redwood or cedar, the driveway will look elegant and expensive. If you use pine, the driveway will look cheap and temporary. Painted concrete is available in a wide variety of colors, so you can match it to your home's exterior paint color or choose something else. The main thing is that you use a good quality wood in your concrete, as poor quality wood will cause your concrete to be weak.
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