Title

सीमेंट कंक्रीट (Concrete)

Uncommon

Sīmeṇṭ kaṅkrīṭ

Concrete

4.5/5(Based on 6 heritage sites)
Descriptionकंक्रीट (Kaṅkrīṭa), or ठोस मिश्रण (ṭhosa miśraṇa), is a composite material consisting of cement, aggregates, and water [1]. Its use in the Indian subcontinent, while prevalent in the 20th and 21st centuries, contrasts with traditional materials like brick and stone. Modern कंक्रीट (Kaṅkrīṭa) utilizes Portland cement, derived from calcareous and argillaceous materials sourced from quarries across India. Compressive strength ranges from 15-100+ MPa, density from 2.2-2.5 g/cm³, and water absorption from 0.5-10%. While not a primary material in ancient Indic architecture, its modern application reinforces structures. Conservation efforts on heritage sites, such as those from the Maurya, Gupta, or Chola dynasties, require careful consideration of कंक्रीट (Kaṅkrīṭa) compatibility with original materials. The water-cement ratio (0.4-0.6) affects durability. Understanding कंक्रीट (Kaṅkrīṭa)'s thermal expansion (10-14 x 10^-6 /°C) is crucial for long-term structural integrity. Porosity (5-15%) influences weathering. Modern applications include foundations, beams, slabs, and road construction.
Also Known As
Concrete
Sīmeṇṭ kaṅkrīṭ
Concrete
Cement Concrete
Hardened Concrete
कंक्रीट
ठोस मिश्रण
दृढ़ मिश्रण
सीमेंट मिश्रण
கான்கிரீட் (Kāṉkiriṭ)
కాంక్రీట్ (Kāṅkrīṭ)
ಕಾಂಕ್ರೀಟ್ (Kāṅkrīṭ)
കോൺക്രീറ്റ് (Kōṇkrīṟṟ)
ಕಾಂಕ್ರೀಟ್ (Kāṃkrīṭ)
Tags
कंक्रीट
Concrete
Cement
Aggregate
Reinforcement
Construction
Portland Cement
Reinforced concrete
Modern construction
Structural
Material ID
INHFMAT-554500898-20-11-25-KR
URIhttps://www.inheritage.foundation/aat/material/concrete
API Endpoint
https://www.inheritage.foundation/api/v1/aat/materials/concrete
Total Sites6
Primary Sites6
CreatedNovember 20, 2025
Last UpdatedNovember 28, 2025

External References

Material Types

Types
Composite Material
Cementitious Material
Artificial Stone
Structural Material
Portland Cement Concrete
Reinforced Concrete

Regions

Regions
India
Karnataka
Tamil Nadu
West Bengal
Himachal Pradesh
Jammu and Kashmir
Meghalaya
Mizoram
Tripura
Global

Historical Context

Time Periods
20th Century CE
21st Century CE

Geographic Sources

Sources
Cement factories
Local aggregate quarries
Sand mines
Ready-mix concrete plants
Local suppliers of cement and aggregates

Properties

Properties
Compressive strength: 15-100+ MPa (depending on mix)
Density: 2.2-2.5 g/cm³
Water absorption: 0.5-10%
Setting time: 2-8 hours (varies with admixtures)
Modulus of elasticity: 20-50 GPa
Thermal expansion coefficient: 10-14 x 10^-6 /°C
Thermal conductivity: 0.8-1.8 W/m.K
Porosity: 5-15%
Water-cement ratio: 0.4-0.6

Common Uses

Uses
Foundations
Beams
Slabs
Columns
Walls
Flooring
Roofing
Paving
Structural support
Lintels
Shear walls
Road construction

Related Materials

Materials
लोहा - Lohā (Iron/Steel)
स्टील - Steel (Steel)
चूना - Chunā (Lime Mortar)
Cement
Aggregate
Water
कंकड़ - Kankar (Gravel)
रेत - Ret (Sand)
सुरखी - Surkhi (Brick Dust)
ईंट - Īṇṭ (Brick)
सरिया - Sariyā (Reinforcement Steel)

Related Styles

Styles
Modern architecture
Contemporary architecture
Brutalism

Related Categories

Categories
Modern buildings
Infrastructure
Bridges
Buildings
Dams
Residential Buildings
Commercial Buildings
Temples

Conservation Notes

Notes
  • Susceptible to cracking due to shrinkage and thermal stress
  • Corrosion of steel reinforcement
  • Requires proper curing to achieve full strength
  • Incompatible with traditional materials
  • Can cause moisture trapping
  • Requires careful integration with existing structure
  • Can cause accelerated deterioration of historic fabric
  • Requires careful assessment before use in conservation
  • Susceptible to carbonation
  • Requires protection from chloride attack
  • Potential for alkali-silica reaction
  • Requires repair with compatible materials
  • Requires regular inspection and repair
  • Vulnerable to alkali-aggregate reaction (AAR)
  • Use of appropriate sealants to prevent water ingress

Recommended Sources

TitleTypeNotes
Indian Standard Codes for Concrete ConstructionStandardSpecifications for concrete mixes and construction practices.
IS 456: Plain and Reinforced Concrete - Code of PracticeIndian StandardConcrete design and construction
Indian Concrete Institute JournalJournal ArticleConcrete technology
Indian Concrete Institute PublicationsTechnical ReportMix design and properties
Indian Concrete JournalJournalConcrete technology and applications
Indian Concrete Institute (ICI) PublicationsTechnical ReportConcrete mix design and construction practices

Heritage Sites (6)

Frequently Asked Questions