Concrete Materials Guide
Concrete construction involves much more than concrete alone. A successful driveway, sidewalk, patio, foundation, retaining wall, parking lot, or commercial concrete project depends on the right combination of materials, preparation, reinforcement, equipment, drainage, and finishing techniques.
At DiBucci and Sons, we've been working with concrete, cement, stone, brick, and masonry materials in Pittsburgh since 1956. This guide explains the most common materials and equipment used on residential, commercial, and industrial concrete and masonry projects.
Whether you're planning a new concrete driveway, replacing a sidewalk, building a patio, repairing masonry, installing a retaining wall, or preparing a foundation, understanding the materials used on the job can help you make informed decisions.
Concrete Materials
Concrete is one of the most versatile construction materials used for residential and commercial projects. It is commonly used for driveways, sidewalks, patios, steps, foundations, parking lots, loading docks, roads, walls, and other structural applications.
The concrete used for a project depends on the application, required strength, site conditions, specifications, and other project requirements.
Ready-Mix Concrete
Ready-mix concrete is delivered to the jobsite by concrete trucks and placed while it is still workable. Concrete mix designs can vary based on the strength, application, exposure conditions, and specifications of the project.
Concrete Strength
Concrete strength is measured in PSI (pounds per square inch). The appropriate strength and mix design depend on the application, expected loads, site conditions, and project specifications.
Actual concrete mix designs and strengths vary by project requirements and ready-mix supplier.
Aggregates
Aggregate is a major component of concrete. Coarse and fine aggregates can include materials such as stone, gravel, and sand.
Aggregates also play an important role in preparing the base beneath concrete and other hardscape surfaces.
Cement vs. Concrete
The terms cement and concrete are often used interchangeably, but they are not the same thing.Understanding the difference between cement and concrete is important when planning a concrete construction or masonry project.
Cement is an ingredient used to make concrete.
Concrete is a mixture of cement, water, and aggregates such as sand and stone.
Cement is also used in mortar and other masonry applications.
Base Materials
Proper base preparation is one of the most important parts of a concrete installation.
Before concrete is placed, the underlying soil is prepared and compacted. Depending on the project, a layer of crushed stone or other approved base material may be installed to provide a stable foundation.
2B Stone
2B stone is a commonly used aggregate material for construction and drainage applications. It can be used as a base or sub-base material depending on the project and site conditions.
1A Stone
1A stone is another crushed aggregate material used in construction and base applications.
Compacted Stone Base
A properly prepared and compacted stone base can help provide a stable surface beneath concrete and other finished surfaces. The appropriate base material and depth depend on factors such as:
Soil conditions
Drainage
Project type
Expected loads
Climate and weather
Existing site conditions
Local construction requirements
Sand
Sand is used in a variety of concrete and masonry applications. Common uses include:
Mortar
Masonry work
Concrete-related construction
Bedding and other site applications
The type of sand used depends on the specific application.
Mortar & Masonry Materials
Masonry construction uses a combination of materials including brick, concrete block, stone, cement, sand, mortar, and reinforcement.
Type N Mortar
Type N mortar is a general-purpose mortar commonly used for many above-grade masonry applications.
Type S Mortar
Type S mortar provides greater compressive and bond strength than Type N and is commonly used where higher-strength masonry mortar is required.
The appropriate mortar type depends on the type of masonry, location, structural requirements, and project specifications.
Concrete Block
Concrete masonry units, commonly called CMU or concrete block, are used in a variety of residential and commercial construction applications. Common uses include:
Foundation walls
Retaining walls
Structural walls
Utility structures
Masonry construction
Basement construction
DiBucci and Sons works with both regular and solid concrete block depending on project requirements.
Reinforcement Materials
Concrete is strong in compression but requires reinforcement when additional tensile strength and structural performance are needed.
Rebar
Rebar, or reinforcing steel, is placed within concrete to reinforce the structure and help manage tensile stresses. Rebar may be used in:
Concrete foundations
Driveways
Floors
Walls
Footings
Commercial slabs
Structural concrete
The size, spacing, placement, and quantity of rebar depend on the project design and specifications.
Wire Mesh
Welded wire reinforcement, commonly called wire mesh, can be incorporated into concrete slabs and other applications to provide reinforcement and help control cracking.
The appropriate reinforcement system depends on the project and its engineering or construction requirements.
Forms & Lumber
Concrete forms create the shape and boundaries of a concrete pour while the concrete is placed and cured. Common forming materials include:
Lumber
Plywood
Sheathing
Stringers
Stakes
Form accessories
Proper formwork helps establish the dimensions, elevations, slopes, edges, and finished shape of the concrete. Forms are used for projects including:
Sidewalks
Driveways
Steps
Patios
Walls
Foundations
Footings
Commercial concrete work
Drainage Materials
Water management is an important part of concrete construction and site preparation. Poor drainage can contribute to erosion, settlement, standing water, and damage to concrete and surrounding structures.
Drainage Pipe
Drainage pipe is used to collect and move water away from buildings, foundations, paved surfaces, retaining walls, and other areas where water needs to be controlled.
Surface Drains & Drainage Basins
Surface drainage systems can collect surface water and direct it into an appropriate drainage system. Drainage requirements vary by property, grade, soil conditions, and project design.
Concrete Curing & Protection Materials
Proper curing and protection are important after concrete is placed.
Concrete continues to gain strength as it cures. Protecting freshly placed concrete from excessive moisture loss, weather, traffic, and other conditions can help achieve the desired finished result.
Concrete Surface Retarders
Concrete surface retarders are used in applications where a specific exposed aggregate or textured finish is desired.
Concrete Oils
Concrete oils may be used in certain concrete maintenance, curing, or protection applications depending on the project and specifications.
Burlap
Burlap can be used to help protect concrete and maintain moisture during curing.
Polyethylene & Plastic
Plastic sheeting and polyethylene materials can be used to cover and protect concrete and other areas of a jobsite. Uses may include:
Concrete curing
Weather protection
Covering freshly placed concrete
Protecting surrounding surfaces
General jobsite protection
How Concrete Materials Work Together
A concrete project is only as strong and durable as the system supporting it. Concrete, aggregate, reinforcement, forms, drainage, and finishing materials each serve a different purpose, but they work together to create the finished structure.
Understanding how these materials interact is an important part of understanding concrete construction.
What Goes Under Concrete?
A typical concrete installation begins with the existing soil. Depending on the project, the soil may need to be excavated, graded, prepared, and compacted before a stone or aggregate base is installed.
The general sequence may include:
Existing soil → prepared and compacted base → reinforcement → forms → concrete → finishing → curing and protection
The exact construction process varies based on the project, site conditions, design, and specifications.
How Base Materials Support Concrete
The concrete slab is only one part of the system. A properly prepared base can provide a stable surface beneath the concrete and help manage changes in the underlying soil.
Crushed stone and aggregate may be used beneath concrete to create a stable sub-base and support drainage.
Proper grading and compaction are also important. If the material beneath a slab is unstable or poorly compacted, settlement can affect the finished concrete.
How Reinforcement Works With Concrete
Rebar and welded wire reinforcement are incorporated into concrete when reinforcement is required by the design or project specifications.
Concrete performs well under compression, while reinforcing steel helps address tensile stresses within the concrete structure.
The concrete and reinforcement work together as a system rather than functioning as separate materials.
How Forms Work With Concrete
Forms determine the shape, size, elevation, and edges of freshly placed concrete.
Before the concrete is poured, forms are positioned and secured to establish the finished dimensions of the slab, wall, step, footing, or other structure.
Once the concrete has been placed and has developed sufficient strength, the forms can be removed where appropriate.
How Drainage Works With Concrete
Water management is an important consideration for concrete construction.
Drainage systems can help direct water away from structures, foundations, retaining walls, and paved surfaces.
Depending on the project, drainage may include:
Drainage pipe
Drainage stone
Surface drains
Drainage basins
Proper grading
Other site drainage solutions
A concrete contractor must consider where water will go before placing the finished surface.
How Finishing Works With Concrete
Once concrete is placed, it must be properly leveled, shaped, and finished.
Tools such as screeds, bull floats, hand floats, edgers, groovers, trowels, and brooms are used at different stages of the finishing process.
The desired finish depends on the intended use and appearance of the concrete.
How Curing Protects Concrete
Concrete does not simply "dry" after it is placed. It undergoes a curing process as it develops strength.
Curing and protection materials can help manage moisture loss and protect freshly placed concrete from weather, traffic, and other conditions during the early stages of the project.
The result is a complete construction system in which the soil, base, reinforcement, forms, concrete, drainage, finishing, and curing process all work together.
Tools Used for Concrete & Masonry Work
The right tools are essential for preparing, placing, shaping, cutting, finishing, and removing concrete and masonry.
Hand Tools
Common hand tools include:
Shovels
Rakes
Picks
Hammers
Pry bars
Levels
Tape measures
Brooms
Hand tampers
Concrete Saws
Concrete saws are used to cut concrete and masonry materials. They can be used for applications such as:
Control joints
Concrete removal
Demolition
Cutting existing slabs
Masonry cutting
Jackhammers & Demolition Hammers
Jackhammers and demolition hammers are used to break and remove concrete, masonry, and other hard materials during demolition and removal work.
Concrete Finishing Tools
Concrete finishing requires specialized tools to level, shape, texture, and finish freshly placed concrete. Common finishing tools include:
Screeds
Bull floats
Hand floats
Edgers
Groovers
Trowels
Brooms
The finishing method depends on the desired appearance, use of the surface, concrete mix, weather conditions, and project specifications.
Equipment Used on Concrete Jobsites
Concrete and masonry projects often require specialized equipment for excavation, material handling, demolition, compaction, concrete placement, and site preparation.
Skid Loaders
Skid loaders are versatile machines used for:
Excavation
Loading
Grading
Material handling
Site preparation
Debris removal
Excavators
Excavators are commonly used for:
Excavation
Digging
Trenching
Material handling
Site preparation
Foundation work
Backhoes
Backhoes can be used for excavation, trenching, loading, material handling, and general site work.
Compact Utility Loaders / Dingo
Compact utility loaders, sometimes referred to as Dingo loaders, are useful when working in tight spaces where larger equipment cannot easily access the site.
Concrete Mixers
Concrete mixers are used to mix and transport concrete for applications where on-site mixing is appropriate.
Concrete Buggies
Concrete buggies are used to transport and place concrete around a jobsite, particularly where direct access from a concrete truck is limited.
Wheelbarrows
Wheelbarrows are used to move concrete, stone, soil, debris, and other materials around the jobsite.
Plate Compactors
Plate compactors are used to compact stone, aggregate, and other base materials before placing concrete or other finished surfaces.
Proper compaction helps create a stable base and can reduce settlement.
Air Compressors
Air compressors provide compressed air for pneumatic tools and other jobsite equipment.
Trailers
Trailers are used to transport tools, equipment, materials, and other jobsite supplies.
Materials Used for Common Concrete Projects
Different concrete projects require different combinations of materials.
Concrete Driveways
A typical concrete driveway project may involve:
Concrete
Aggregate/base material
Reinforcement
Forms and lumber
Jointing materials
Finishing tools
Curing and protection materials
The specific materials depend on the existing site, soil conditions, drainage, expected vehicle loads, and project specifications.
Concrete Sidewalks & Walkways
Sidewalk and walkway projects commonly involve:
Concrete
Compacted aggregate base
Forms
Reinforcement when required
Jointing materials
Finishing materials
Concrete Patios
Concrete patios may require:
Concrete
Stone base
Reinforcement
Forms
Finishing materials
Curing and protection materials
Concrete Steps
Concrete steps require careful forming, reinforcement, placement, and finishing to create safe and durable access between elevations.
Concrete Foundations
Foundation construction may involve:
Structural concrete
Rebar
Forms
Lumber
Concrete block
Drainage materials
Gravel or aggregate
Footing materials
Foundation requirements are highly project-specific and should be designed and constructed according to applicable building requirements and project specifications.
Retaining Walls
Retaining wall construction can involve:
Concrete
Concrete block
Stone
Mortar
Aggregate
Drainage pipe
Drainage stone
Reinforcement
Forms
Drainage is particularly important for retaining wall construction because water pressure behind a wall can affect its performance.
Choosing the Right Materials for Your Concrete Project
There is no single concrete mix, base material, reinforcement system, or drainage solution that is right for every project.
Material selection depends on:
Type of project
Soil conditions
Drainage
Expected loads
Surface use
Project size
Site access
Weather and exposure
Existing structures
Local requirements
Engineering or project specifications
A professional concrete contractor can evaluate these conditions and determine the appropriate materials and construction methods for the project.
Pittsburgh Concrete & Masonry Contractor
For more than 70 years, DiBucci and Sons has provided concrete, cement, stone, brick, and masonry construction throughout the Pittsburgh area.
Our work includes residential, commercial, and industrial concrete projects such as:
Concrete driveways
Concrete patios
Concrete steps
Retaining walls
Pool decks
Foundations
Basement construction
Parking lots
Loading docks
Curbs
Roads
Storefront entryways
Brick and masonry construction
From site preparation and base materials to reinforcement, concrete placement, finishing, and cleanup, our experienced crews understand what it takes to build durable concrete and masonry work.
Planning a Concrete or Masonry Project?
If you're considering a new driveway, sidewalk, patio, foundation, retaining wall, parking lot, or other concrete project in the Pittsburgh area, DiBucci and Sons can help you determine the right approach for your property and project.
Contact DiBucci and Sons to discuss your project and request an estimate.