Different Grades of Concrete and their Uses/Applications

Grades of concrete mainly classified in three categories as follows 

i) Lean concrete ii)  Ordinary grade of concrete iii) Standard grade of concrete iv) High strength concrete grades 

LEAN CONCRETE

Lean concrete is a mix where the amount of cement is lower than the amount of liquid present in the strata.

M5 GRADE

Where M stands for Mix ration & 5 stands for  compressive strength of a 150mm cube after 28 days of curing, expressed in N/mm2

Mix ratio is  1:5:10 (1 Cement, 5 Sand and 10 Aggregate)

Application/use:-  To provide the uniform surface to the foundation concrete and to prevent the direct contact of foundation concrete from the soil.

M7.5 GRADE

Mix ratio is  1:4:8 (1 Cement, 4 Sand and 8 Aggregate)

Application/use:-  To provide the uniform surface to the foundation concrete and to prevent the direct contact of foundation concrete from the soil.

ORDINARY GRADE OF CONCRETE

M10 GRADE

Mix ratio is  1:3:6 (1 Cement, 3 Sand and 6 Aggregate)

It is used as PCC (Plain Cement Concrete)

Application/use:- It can be used in construction of Levelling course, bedding for footing, concrete roads, etc.

M15 GRADE

Mix ratio is  1:2:4 (1 Cement, 2 Sand and 4 Aggregate)

It is used as PCC (Plain Cement Concrete)

Application/use:-  It can be used in construction of Levelling course, bedding for footing, concrete roads, etc.

M20 GRADE

Mix ratio is  1:1.5:3 (1 Cement, 1.5 Sand and 3 Aggregate)

It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)

Application/use:- It can be used in construction of Slabs, beams, columns, footings, etc. (for mild exposure)

STANDARD GRADE OF CONCRETE

M25 GRADE

Mix ratio is  1:1:2 (1 Cement, 1 Sand and 2 Aggregate)

Its is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete) 

Application/use:- It can be used in construction of Slabs, beams, columns, footings, etc.

M30 GRADE

It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)

Application/use:- It can be used in construction of Slabs, beams, columns, footings, etc.

M-30 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009

M35 GRADE

It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)

Application/use:- It can be used in construction of Slabs, beams, columns, footings, etc.

M-35 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009

M40 GRADE

It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)

Application/use:-  Pre-stressed concrete, slabs, beams, columns, footings, etc. GRADE- M45 RCC e.g. Runways, Concrete Roads (PQC), Pressurised Concrete Girders, RCC Columns, Pressurised beams

M-40 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009

GRADE- M50

It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)

Application/use:-  Runways, Concrete Roads (PQC), Pressurised Concrete Girders, RCC Columns, Pressurised beams

M-50 Mix Designs as per IS-10262-2009

GRADE- M55

It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)

Application/use:-  Pressurised Concrete Girders and Pier

HIGH STRENGTH CONCRETE GRADES

M60 GRADE & M80 GRADE

It is used as RCC (Reinforced Cement Concrete)

Application/use:- 

• It can be used RCC work where high compressive strength is required such as high rise buildings, long span bridges, ultra-thin white topping etc.
• Constructions in aggressive environment.
• Spillways of dams, coastal construction of a passage for surplus water from a dam.