Lime mortars were employed between 12,000 and 6000 BCE in Crete, Cyprus, Greece, and Middle East, demonstrating that the elements that make concrete a universal construction material are so prominent that it has been utilized, although in more basic sorts and methods than at today, for thousands of years. One of them is the ease with which it can be placed and shaped to fit practically any mold or form, since it is plastic and can be manipulated to take on any desired form. Its excellent resilience to fire and the elements is another clear benefit. Except for cement and additives, most of the components may be found cheaply and conveniently close to the site of construction. It has a high compressive strength, similar with that of natural-stones, and is therefore well suited for use in compression-heavy elements like columns and arches. Nonetheless, its low tensile strength compared to its high compressive strength makes it a somewhat fragile material, much as it is in natural stones. Because of this, it can't be used cost-effectively as the only material in structural components that are either completely or partially subject to tension (like tie-rods) The book begins with a brief introduction to concrete and cement before moving on to detail the raw materials used in its production, including aggregates, binders, iv admixtures, and water. It then moves on to discuss the properties of fresh concrete, such as its workability and the appropriate measurement techniques, before moving on to discuss the properties of hardened concrete, such as its strength, durability, stress-strain relation, and dimensional stability.
