Concrete is a composite material made up of three basic components: water, aggregate (rock, sand, or gravel), and Portland cement. Cement is the main ingredient used to make concrete, and it is manufactured through the chemical combination of eight main ingredients during the cement production process. The eight main ingredients present in cement are calcium, silicon, aluminum, iron, and other materials. The raw materials, mainly limestone and clay, are extracted from quarries by blasting or drilling using heavy mining machinery. The raw materials are then transported to the crushers via dumpers, and the other raw materials that are used in cement manufacturing, called additives, are also stored in separate bins. The raw mix and required additives are fed from their bins to the raw mill via blowers for drying and grinding. The raw mill contains two chambers - a drying chamber and a grinding chamber. Hot gases coming from a preheater/ kiln system enter the mill and evaporate the moisture in the raw material. The resulting powder is called raw meal, which is then transported to the blending silos via a bucket elevator.
The cement and water are mixed to make a paste, which is then combined with the aggregates to form concrete. The aggregates are things such as gravel, sand, or crushed stone, and their purpose is to stuff the concrete and provide strength. They are divided into different types, such as rough gravel and fine sand. The proportions of the ingredients in the mix are adjusted to fit its purpose, depending on what the concrete is to be used for. Once the concrete is poured, it hardens into a durable material that is used in a wide range of construction projects.
