admixture: A substance added to the basic concrete mixture to alter one or more properties of the concrete; ie fibrous materials for reinforcing, water repellent treatments, and coloring compounds.

aggregate: Inert particles (ie gravel, sand, and stone) added to cement and water to form concrete.

cement: Dry powder that reacts chemically with water to bind the particles of aggregate, forming concrete. Portland cement is typically used in concrete production.

curing: The hardening of concrete through hydration (chemical combination with water).

flyash: Waste product of coal-fired power plants, used as an admixture in concrete to reduce weight.

ready-mixed concrete: Concrete that is delivered to the customer in a freshly mixed, unhardened state to be poured on site.

slump: A measure of the workability of a concrete mixture.