Concrete Strengths & Grades
Learn more about the various strengths and grading of concrete, available to order for projects across London, Kent, Essex and the surrounding regions.
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Types of Concrete
We offer a great selection of concrete types to suit varying applications. Our comprehensive range of concrete, allows us to help our customers with projects of any type and size, from minor domestic works to major commercial applications.
The three types of concrete we provide are on-site mixed concrete, ready-mixed concrete, volumetric concrete. and many more concrete products and services.
We can supply any strength and grade of concrete for customers across London, Kent, Essex and the surrounding areas. If you need concrete for your project, give us a call on 0800 652 9209 today!
Concrete Strengths
From flooring to foundations, patios to driveways, the concrete used in a project needs to be strong enough to cope with the loads it is expected to withstand. Concrete strength is measured by the weight it can withstand 28 days after it has been laid and cured.
How many concrete strengths are there?
Our concrete strengths range from grade C8 with a strength of 8 newtons, to C40 with a strength of 40 newtons. C8 is designed for kerb backing and bedding. C40, our strongest concrete, is designed to withstand heavy-duty loads.
Concrete Grading
We offer all different grades of concrete to cater for different requirements and applications. Our gradings range from C8 – a wet mix concrete used for kerb backing and bedding – and C10 concrete for drainage works to C40 concrete for structural usage and farming.
We also offer PAV 1 and 2 concrete grades, which include air-entrainment additives that help protect the surface from freeze-thaw problems.
What is the difference between the concrete grade and strength?
The concrete grade is determined by the strength. The strength of the concrete is measured in newtons. The higher the strength, the higher the grade. See our guide how do you determine a grade of concrete for more details.
Concrete Strengths & Grades – All Concrete Types
Scroll down to see an overview for each concrete strength and grade, or click the buttons below to learn more.
ACEC Class Concrete
ACEC stands for “aggressive chemical environment for concrete” class. It’s a classification system used to determine how concrete will be affected by exposure to chemicals, sulfates, and acids in groundwater.
ACEC concrete is categorized into three classes based on exposure conditions and performance requirements:
AC (Aggressive Chemical)
Formulated to resist acidic environments, making it suitable for industries handling corrosive substances, such as chemical plants and wastewater facilities. AC classes include AC-1, AC-2, AC-3, AC-4 and AC-5, as well as the ACz range.
DC (Design Chemical)
Designed for long-term strength and resilience against environmental stressors, including freeze-thaw cycles, abrasion, and sulfate attack. Commonly used in marine structures, tunnels, and foundations. DC classes include DC-1, DC-2, DC-3, DC-4 and DC-5, as well as an DCz range.
DS (Design Sulfate)
Specifically developed to counteract sulfate-induced deterioration, ensuring longevity in areas with high sulfate concentrations, such as sewage systems and groundwater-exposed structures. DS classes include DS-1, DS-2, DS-3, DS-4 and DS-5.
By using optimized mix designs based on the limiting values associated with these categories, ACEC concrete enhances structural integrity, minimizes maintenance costs, and extends service life in extreme conditions.
Exposure Classes
The exposure classification in EN 206 is based upon the deterioration process of concrete in extreme environments. Using the complimentary standard BS 8500 the following classes are determined:
XA (Aggressive Chemical Corrosion)
Designed for concrete that is open to chemical attack due to moisture in the environment. Classes are XA1, XA2 and XA3.
XC (Carbonated Corrosion)
Designed for concrete containing reinforcement or other embedded metal that is exposed to air and moisture. Classes are XC1, XC2, XC3 and XC4.
XD (Chloride Corrosion)
Designed for reinforced concrete in contact with water containing chlorides, and other sources of salt water. Classes are XD1, XD2 and XD3.
XS (Chloride Corrosion from Sea Water)
Designed for reinforced concrete in contact with sea water. Classes are XS1, XS2 and XS3.
XF (Freeze Thaw Exposure)
Designed for concrete exposed to severe attack from freeze-thaw cycles while wet. Classes are XF1, XF2, XF3 and XF4.
Type: C8 / Gen 0 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Kerb backing
- Bedding 8N
- Mass and cavity fill
- Blinding
Strength:
- 8N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: C10 / Gen 1 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Pad, conservatory, wall or shed foundations
- Domestic foundations built in DC-1 soil that are unreinforced
- Oversite below suspended floors or binding house floors
- Drainage works 10N
- Filling trenches and some agricultural uses
- Cavity and mass fill
- Kerbing and haunching
- Strip footings not reinforced
- Mass concrete in non structural applications where DC-1 non-aggressive ground exists
Strength:
- 10N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: C15 / Gen 2 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Floors with no embedded metal
- Unreinforced and reinforced strip footings for small walls
- Foundation filling for trenches
- Shed, walls and conservatory foundations
- Steps and path paving
- Blinding
- Mass concrete fill that’s unreinforced
Strength:
- 5N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: C20 / Gen 3 / ST1 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Foundations (single storey)
- Internal floor slabs which won’t contain metal and will be covered over
- Domestic garage floors (if using as a workshop, use RC25/30 as a minimum
- Bases for sheds, driveways and workshops
- Patio under paving
- Garage, shed, greenhouse and conservatory oversites or un-reinforced bases
- Blinding
- Fill of mass concrete or trenches
- Strip footings that aren’t reinforced
- Oversites
Strength:
- 20N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: C25 / ST2 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Un-reinforced strip footings and fence post footings
- Un-reinforced foundations & general groundwork
- Mass concrete & trench fill
- Bases for extensions, houses or patios
- House floor blinding and pad foundations
- Kerbs, unreinforced house floors (with permanent finish) and patios
- Some uses in agriculture
- Drainage and filling around manholes or trenches
- Mass concrete for non aggressive, non structural (DC-1) ground
Strength:
- 25N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: C30 / ST3 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Driveways
- Paths
- Patios
- Garage and shed bases
- Pavements
- Foundations for extensions, houses, large walls and garages
- Garage, shed, greenhouse or conservatory unreinforced oversites or bases
Strength:
- 30N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: C35 / ST4 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- External slabs
- Reinforced walls and floors
- Reinforced bases for workshops
- Unsuspended and unreinforced garage floors
- Indoor floor slabs not containing metal
- Bedding for channels and drains
- Chamber benching
Strength:
- 35N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: C40 / ST5 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Structural applications
- Industrial applications
- HGV parks
- Farms or stores used for agricultural equipment
- Foundations for traffic sign posts, planted lighting columns and posts for environmental barriers
- Floor slabs used for garages or houses which are partially or completely reinforced and either suspended, over sub-floor voids or ground bearing
Strength:
- 40N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: PAV 1 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Driveways
- Car ports or domestic parking
- External slabs (light duty)
- Walkways or patios used for agricultural, domestic or industrial applications
- Hard standing which is either reinforced or un-reinforced
- House, extension or workshop bases which are reinforced or unreinforced
Strength:
- 30N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: PAV 2 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- External slabs exposed to machinery and industrial vehicles
- HGV yards
- Car parks (heavy duty)
- Agricultural storage areas, light storage or commercial buildings featuring reinforced bases
- Flooring for garages or houses which have metal embedded in them
Strength:
- 35N @ 28 Day Strength
FND2 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Foundations and footings
- Trench fill foundations
- Strip foundations
- Domestic extensions
- Light commercial builds
Strength:
- 30N @ 28 Day Strength
FND3 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Foundations and footings
- Trench fill foundations
- Strip foundations
- Domestic buildings
- Commercial buildings
- Small industrial buildings
Strength:
- 30N @ 28 Day Strength
FND4 Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Commercial projects
- Infrastructure projects
- Industrial developments
- Projects on brownfield sites
- Domestic projects
- Foundations and footings
- Deep trench fill foundations
- Reinforced foundations
Strength:
- 40N @ 28 Day Strength
Reinforced (RC) Concrete
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Multi-storey buildings
- Commercial buildings
- Industrial buildings
- Large domestic projects
- Infrastructure developments
- Bridges
- Tunnels
- Car parks
- Retaining walls
- Industrial flooring and heavy-duty slabs
- Foundations
- Structural frameworks and complex structures
Strength:
- (Various) 20N – 40N @ 28 Day Strength
Type: Pattern Imprint Concrete Mix
Purpose/Ideal For:
- Driveways
- Paths
- Concrete walls
- Outdoor concrete fireplace surrounds
Concrete Suppliers
On-site Mixed Concrete
We mix this type of concrete at the site of your project – this allows us to alter the mix as we go, which means we can accommodate for changes in requirements, such as more concrete being needed or a different grade being required. The refinable nature of this concrete means the perfect amount will always be created – no more, no less.
Ready Mixed Concrete
This is a batch of concrete created beforehand, at our batching plant. It’s designed according to the specific requirements of the customer.
Volumetric Concrete
Mixed in a volumetric mixing truck, this concrete’s popularity is mainly down to the fact it can be mixed to the precise amount required – no shortages and no surplus of concrete.
We also offer screed, graded at 4:1 and 5:1 for internal flooring work, whether that’s a sub-layer to prepare the floor for a finish, or whether it’s the finish itself.
We Only Provide Quality Mixed Concrete
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Not sure what you need?
Working out the amount of concrete you need for a job can be difficult to do, especially if it’s your first time using it for a project. Ending up with too much concrete volume can be unnecessarily costly, and ending up with too little means delays to your work. Luckily, our concrete calculator (UK) solves all your estimation problems and lets you know exactly how much concrete you’ll need for your project.
Whether it’s the amount of ready mixed concrete to be used for concrete slabs, or working out how much needs to be combined with coarse aggregate, we’ve got the solution.
To place your order or to discuss your requirements further please contact our friendly team today.
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Why Choose IMIX Concrete?
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Independent SupplierWe are an independent concrete supplier meaning service and quality is of utmost importance and key.
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BSI Accredited
We are BSI accredited meaning all of our procedures and processes are rigorously controlled
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Quality Materials
We only use primary materials meaning we do not compromise on quality.
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Dedicated Support Team
Dedicated sales and technical support ensuring a seamless order process.
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Areas We Cover
Here at iMIX Concrete, we can serve customers across the South East
With our fleet of vehicles, we can provide same day/next day delivery on most of our products or services
London Area
Essex Area
Kent Area
Hertfordshire Area