Application of concrete grade M400 (B30)

Characteristics of concrete M 400

But first, let’s look at how this composition differs from other brands. The main difference is how much M 400 is able to resist cold and high humidity:

• frost resistance - F200-F This means that concrete will withstand approximately 300 frosts and thaws without damage;
• moisture resistance – W8-W12 (average W10). A mixture with this indicator in the event of an extreme situation will not suffer from water pressure of 8-12 atmospheres.
• strength – 1 cm2 of area will support a weight of 393 kg;
• mobility – P3-P5. The indicator indicates the rapid hardening and high plasticity of the mixture, so it is often used for filling densely reinforced surfaces.

We offer various grades of high quality concrete

The Moscow plant of our company produces various types of concrete, which are distinguished by high quality indicators, which is confirmed by a certain brand. Therefore, we can offer the following types for sale:

• Ready-mixed concrete – for various purposes from pouring foundations to load-bearing structures.
• Expanded clay concrete – for self-leveling floors and warm walls in low-rise buildings.
• Mounting mortar - for filling joints between individual bricks, blocks or slabs, as well as for leveling surfaces.
• Lean concrete is used both in the construction of roads and buildings for screeds and installation of floors.

Where is concrete grade M 400 used?

For individual construction, mortar is used very rarely. The explanation is simple - the high strength of the mixture is completely irrelevant for small loads of a private house. An exception is the construction of a basement in areas with unstable soils.

In addition, for a private owner, ordering M400 concrete is unprofitable - even when purchasing a small volume, the cost of construction increases significantly. But the difference in quality will be little noticeable - the same concrete of the M200 or M300 grades will perfectly withstand the weight of even a heavy brick cottage, not to mention a small frame house.

But in industrial construction you can’t do without the M 400. The solution is used for objects that require special strength:

• hydraulic structures - dams, pools, collectors for communications, bridges that can withstand huge traffic flows;
• bank vaults;
• multi-storey residential and office buildings. There, M400 grade concrete is used for various types of floors, load-bearing columns and supports, piles, flights of stairs, etc.;
• military facilities;
• other structures - industrial buildings and structures, factories, buildings in the energy, engineering and other industries.

Objects built from such material are ready for operation in harsh climatic conditions and in seismic zones. Their M400 concrete is used to construct buildings that are under severe stress due to nearby highways, railways, and the metro.

We produce and deliver concrete in Moscow and the region

Concrete is one of the most common building materials.
It is formed as a result of making a mixture of binder, solid fillers and water, which after time takes on a solid state. Typically, cement is used as a binder, and sand, crushed stone or gravel are used as fillers. Concrete is widely used in various types of construction, both for the capital construction of industrial buildings and multi-story buildings, for the automotive industry and the construction of bridges, and in private construction.

Our production company “Concrete plant STROY BETON” is both a manufacturer and supplier of concrete in Moscow and the Moscow region. Production technology involves careful mixing of correctly selected components so that the finished solution meets the purposes and conditions of use.

Composition of concrete grade M400

Like any similar solution, M400 consists of cement, crushed stone, sand and water mixed in a certain proportion. But here, too, special requirements are imposed on the material - the sand must be dense and clean, crushed stone must be 5-20 mm in size. There should not be too much water in the composition, otherwise the solution will not be so dense. By the way, it is precisely because of this that it is very difficult to obtain high-quality M400 concrete when mixing it yourself.

In addition, the solution must contain plasticizers that improve various properties of the final material - at least 7.5 kg per 1 cubic meter.

Density of concrete M400

Factory production of cement mortar is controlled by GOST 7473, the latest amendments to which were made in 2022. That is, not only the introductions that were approved back in 1985 are taken into account. The proportions for concrete M400 are clearly stated here (in kg per 1 cubic meter):

• cement – ​​395;
• dry and clean sand – 870;
• gravel (usually granite is used) – 1075;
• water – 170 liters;
• the permissible amount of plasticizer is 7.4.

The result is a mixture that is classified as heavy concrete. This is a group with a volumetric mass ranging from 1800 to 2500 kg/cub.m. In our country, the lower limit has been increased to 2000 kg. Specifically for concrete M400, the characteristics indicate a density in the region of 2370-2430 kg per cubic meter.

The table briefly describes the most important parameters that are considered at the design stage of a particular object:

Craftsmen often prepare working mixtures directly at the work site. In order for the solution and monolith to meet the listed characteristics, it is important to use the correct ingredients for mixing. Thus, the grade of cement for concrete M400 B30 should be either CEM I 32.5H (M400) or CEM I 42.5H (M500). It is, of course, acceptable to add other options, but then you will have to recalculate the proportions to achieve the desired quality of the monolith.

Depending on the type of binder, the proportions of concrete made from M400 or M500 cement will differ slightly, information about which is presented in the summary table.

With mineral components everything is simple. River sand with a fraction of 1.8 to 5 mm, if not dry, then the proportion of water decreases. It is better to choose gravel of different sizes: small up to 20 mm, medium up to 40 mm and large up to 70 mm. The rule works here - the denser and more homogeneous the mass, the more varied the size of the granules.

How to determine the quality of concrete

On your own - no way. No options. Neither by color, nor by smell, nor by consistency, not one, even the most professional customer, will be able to determine whether the supplier really brought him the exact brand of concrete he ordered. The solution is tested only after it has hardened.

The check is carried out using different methods:

• laboratory;
• professional (ultrasound, sclerometer);
• folk-approximate - determine the quality of concrete by color, smoothness, ringing when struck, etc. This is all about the same as determining the quality of sausage by color - an absolutely useless exercise.

That is why experienced specialists recommend ordering concrete from the manufacturer. Do you want - with delivery to the site, or do you want - without it. In this case, there are a couple of tips:

• don't go for cheap. If you win on price, you lose on quality;
• talk to the manufacturer’s manager - a self-respecting specialist will never offer you to buy the required volume “approximately” or “by eye”. A good seller will definitely ask: for what work concrete is needed, area to be poured, etc. Only after clarifying all the nuances will he calculate the exact volume of material.

The BAV Group company has been supplying GOST concrete to construction sites in Moscow and the Moscow region for 10 years. We value our excellent reputation, so our customers do not know what a poor-quality solution or rude service means. Don't believe me? Call and see for yourself!

Application area

Due to its characteristics, concrete grade B30 can be classified as a universal material for construction and the manufacture of monolithic structures. It is resistant to high loads and can withstand changes in temperature and humidity for a long time. All this allows the solution to be used for the following purposes:

• construction of load-bearing walls;
• pouring the foundation;
• arrangement of technical sites for various equipment or vehicles;
• installation of water reservoirs such as a well, septic tank, artificial reservoir or swimming pool;
• formation of paving slabs, building blocks or other architectural elements.

Source blogspot.com

The main demand for the composition is observed from the state for urban planning, installation of bridges, construction of underground facilities or hydraulic engineering. This is justified by the fact that for the private sector B30 concrete has excessive strength. Such high density and hardness are not required here.

An additional argument for choosing a different composition, according to experts, is rapid setting. I decided to check it myself out of curiosity. I managed to get everything done on the porch in a timely manner. But if you are engaged in large-scale work such as pouring a foundation, then it is better to really look for another solution, or hire experienced workers with their own technical equipment. Otherwise, there is a risk of internal bubbles, delaminations, and cold bridges.

This video provides general information about different grades of concrete:

Properties and characteristics

The technical characteristics of concrete grade M400 are precisely defined in GOST 7473-2010. This is the main regulatory act regulating the production parameters of building materials. Large construction companies, as well as private developers, when purchasing M400 concrete, value its main characteristics:

• in terms of compressive strength, the indicator of which is 400 kg/cm2, corresponds to class B30;
• the finished structure can withstand up to 300 cycles of freezing followed by defrosting, which classifies M400 concrete in frost resistance class F200-F300;
• high ability to retain moisture ensured water resistance class W6-W12;
• the finished solution has good workability - P4. This means that it does not spread or delaminate, which allows it to be used when pouring reinforced structural elements;
• according to the degree of hardness it is designated as Zh3-Zh4. This means that concrete is suitable for pouring load-bearing beams and floors of buildings under construction.

Advantages of cooperation with us

The following advantages of cooperation with our company “STROY CONCRETE” can be highlighted:

• quality, which is guaranteed at the production stage, as well as identified through laboratory research;
• the best price in Moscow and the region in terms of price per cubic meter, especially for wholesale buyers;
• delivery to the specified region on the day of order;
• convenient method of payment - upon delivery, both cash and non-cash payments are possible.

In order to order and purchase the required amount of concrete solution, you need to fill out an online application on the company’s website. Managers will contact you as soon as possible to clarify the necessary information and help you place your order.

We offer profitable cooperation. You get a quality product for reasonable money as quickly as possible!