Concrete is a versatile construction material. Is is composed of cement as well as other cementitious materials such as fly ash and slag cement, aggregate such as gravel, limestone, or granite, plus a fine aggregate such as sand, crushed rock dust, water, and chemical admixtures to enhance the fresh or hardened properties of the finished product.

The word concrete comes from the Latin word "concretus", which means "hardened" or "hard". There are examples of concrete structures that the Romans made around the world which have stood the test of time, so we all know that concrete is durable as well as versatile!

Concrete solidifies and hardens after mixing with water and placement due to a chemical process known as hydration. The water reacts with the cement, which then bonds all the other constituents together, eventually creating a hardened material muck like rock. Concrete is one of the most veratile constructions materials and is used to make pavements, architectural structures, foundations, motorways/roads, bridges/overpasses, parking structures, brick/block walls and footings for gates, fences and poles, the list could go on.

Concrete is used more than any other man-made material in the world. As of 2006, about 7 cubic kilometres of concrete are made each year—more than one cubic metre for every person on Earth. Concrete powers a $US 35-billion industry which employs more than two million workers in the United States alone. More than 55,000 miles (89,000 km) of highways in America are paved with this material. The People's Republic of China currently consumes 40% of the world's cement/concrete production.

Concrete is handled by volume, unlike aggregates or road ashpalt which is handled by weight. When a job is calculated for how much concrete is required it is measured in cubic metres or cubic yards if you live in America.