Why is Concrete strong in Compression?
Concrete is a heterogeneous material which is made up of cement (15–20%), Sand (25–30%), Coarse Aggregate (55–60%) and air (2–4%).
Compressive strength of concrete is based on the least of the compressive strength of cement-sand mixture, coarse aggregate, and the bond between C/S mixture and coarse aggregate.
Usually all three of these are comparable in compressive strength and none of them are particularity weak in compression hence, compressive strength of concrete is quite high as compared to its strength in tension.
Moreover given the fact that coarse aggregate occupies largest volume in concrete, its has the largest effect on the compressive strength of concrete. Usually coarse aggregate is the strongest of the three components in concrete, unless it is a high strength concrete (fc’>8,000 psi) in which case failure can occur due to shearing of coarse aggregates.
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