EPD: Ready-mix concrete, C32/40 CIIIB, 2334 kg/m3 (Heidelberg Materials UK)
Concrete is a building material made up of several components, including cement, water, sand, gravel, and air. Ready-mixed concrete is manufactured in a batch plant in a controlled environment, using precise mix designs (with the addition of other cementitious materials or chemical admixtures that improve the properties of the concrete), ensuring consistency in quality, strength, and composition. This consistency leads to predictable performance in construction projects. Ready-mixed concrete is then delivered to the construction site in an unhardened state, ready to use, eliminating the need for on-site mixing. This saves time in labour, equipment setup, and material handling, speeding up the construction process. The product is produced according to BS 8500 and BS EN 206. Testing was conducted according to BS EN 12350 and BS EN 12390. Performance data of the product with respect to its characteristics in accordance with the relevant technical provision (no CE-marking). The most common man-made substance in the world is concrete. Regardless of the magnitude of the construction, it is a necessary component of roads, buildings, bridges, dams, pavements, pipelines, sewers, and other structures. It is made up of naturally occurring aggregates with varying granulometries (sand, fine gravel, and gravel) joined by hydrated cement paste. To improve particular qualities of the fresh or hardened concrete, such as workability, durability, or early and final strength, chemical admixtures can also be used. After manufacture, concrete is workable enough to be transported, poured, pumped, put in place, and compacted at the project site, where it gradually solidifies and gains strength. Name of ingredient Share of total weight Country of origin Admixtures 0 - 2 % United Kingdom Cement 2 - 10 % United Kingdom Fibers 0 - 2 % United Kingdom GGBS 10 - 25 % United Kingdom Natural aggregates 50 - 80 % United Kingdom Sand 25 - 50 % United Kingdom Water 2 - 10 % United Kingdom