Is Quikrete As Strong As Concrete? (Here’s How They Differ)

As concrete has developed over time, various strengths and mixes of concrete have emerged. One of these is Quikrete, which is often used for DIY projects. But is Quikerte as strong as concrete?

Quikrete, or rapid-set concrete, is as strong as regular concrete and can withstand similar force. Quikrete offers different PSI strength ratings from 4,000 PSI to 6500 PSI. Regular concrete PSI ranges from 2,500 to 5,000 except for engineered concrete strength, which can be up to 10,000 PSI.

This article will explain the differences between Quikrete and concrete and to explain how those differences affect the strength and usability of each. We will also consider how concrete strength is measured and the various types of concrete that have been developed for specific uses.

Quikrete vs. Concrete

Feature:	Quikrete:	Concrete:
Setting time	Sets in 40 minutes or less	Sets in days
Strength	Up to 6,500 PSI	2,500 – 10,000 PSI
Cost	More expensive	Less expensive
Uses	Small projects, repairs, posts, cold weather	Large projects, slabs, walls
Mixing	Pre-mixed bag, just add water	Must mix sand, gravel, cement
Curing	Sets and cures quickly	Requires days to set and weeks to cure fully

Concrete Ingredients Overview

Concrete is the most widely used manmade product in the world and the second most used resource after water (source).

It’s a strong building material that is made of cement and a combination of fine and coarse aggregates, which are ground and then mixed with water. The cement and water form a paste, which, in turn, coats the aggregates. 

The cement used in concrete is usually Portland cement, a fine powder that is made by burning and grinding limestone and clay or shale. The process was developed in 1824, and it was named for its resemblance to Portland stone, a limestone found on the British Isle of Portland (source).

The burning of the raw materials causes them to change form, and the chemical components in the stone react when mixed with water, causing it to harden and strengthen in a process called hydration.

The aggregates used include natural sand, crushed stone, and gravel, and together, these makeup nearly three-quarters of the concrete’s total volume (source).

How Quikrete Differs From Concrete

Quikrete is similar to regular concrete, with one key difference — it hardens much, much faster. Quick-setting concrete is specially formulated to trigger rapid hydration. Like classic concrete, its main ingredient is Portland cement, and, like concrete, it also contains lime and silica (found in sand). 

However, unlike concrete, it contains calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA), which causes water to react even faster with the minerals present. This means that fast-setting concrete can set in as little as 40 minutes rather than the days required of traditional concrete.

Chemically, it creates a hydration reaction that rapidly consumes all free water, resulting in a less permeable product that is unlikely to shrink. 

How Is Concrete Strength Measured?

Concrete strength is generally measured by a compression test that determines the strength of hardened concrete. This yields the compressive strength of concrete, or its ability to withstand loads that could compress it, and is measured in psi — pound-force per square inch (source). 

This is done by crushing concrete cylinders or cubes in a testing machine while gradually increasing the load and measuring the force at which they fail. 

Concrete’s compressive strength varies between different types of concrete. Residential concrete only requires 2,500 psi, while commercial structures need at least 4,000 psi and sometimes as much as 10,000 psi for specific uses.

Why Measure Concrete Strength?

It’s important to test concrete strength to ensure that the concrete used is sufficient for the job it’s required to perform.

Tests are conducted on at least two cylinders or cubes made from the same batch of concrete that has been cured for a standard amount of time. Test results will be an average of three consecutive compression tests. 

Strength at Various Ages

Concrete becomes stronger as it ages, and compressive tests must acknowledge this. For this reason, concrete is generally measured at 7, 14, and 28 days. The table below shows how the strength of concrete develops in its first four weeks (source).

Curing Days	Percentage Strength
1	16%
3	40%
7	65%
14	90%
28	99%

Grade of Concrete

Concrete is graded by the strength required for construction. These grades are defined by mix proportions, which are the ratio of cement, sand, and coarse aggregates in the mix.

Regular concrete grades are used for normal building works, while reinforced concrete construction will require high-strength or ultra-strength grades.

In the US, there are building codes that govern concrete construction to ensure consistent standards.

Remember, concrete requires care after pouring to stay strong. Find out if sealing concrete is necessary and the best methods of doing it.

Strength of Quikrete

Quikrete can be as strong as regular concrete, reaching up to 4,000 psi. It’s not as strong as reinforced concrete but certainly compares well with standard concrete.

Defining Concrete 

Although the finished product looks the same, concrete comes in various forms. Firstly, there are different mixes, and then there are different types.

What are the different types of Concrete Mix?

There are two types of concrete mixes: design mix and nominal mix. The nominal mix is used for small construction and residential projects and is generally mixed in a proportion of 1:2:4 — one part cement, two parts sand, and four parts coarse aggregates. 

Design mix proportions are the result of laboratory tests, which determine the compressive strength needed for the structural design of the concrete product.

There are also two mixing methods — concrete is either mixed by hand or machine. This will depend on the amount of concrete needed — mixing by hand is usually for smaller jobs — and the quality required because machine mixing is more consistent. 

Different Types of Concrete

There are many different types of concrete, and all are appropriate for various uses. Below are some of the most common types.

Normal Strength/Plain Concrete

This concrete is largely used in buildings and pavements that don’t require high tensile strength and is usually made using a nominal mix. It doesn’t withstand vibrations well but is very durable.

Reinforced Concrete

This is widely used in industry and construction. Strength is increased by placing rods or cables in the concrete before it sets. These reinforcements help to resist tensile forces and, together with the concrete, create a strong bond that can withstand many applied forces.

Prestressed Concrete

These units are used to build bridges or other heavily loaded structures. Similarly to reinforced concrete, they use bars or cables, which are stressed before the concrete is added. This makes them even stronger against tensile forces. 

Precast Concrete

Precast concrete is made in a factory to specification and then assembled onsite. This is generally used for projects requiring concrete blocks, precast walls, or staircases. Speaking of precast concrete, you might also like to check out this guide about the sustainability of precast concrete.

Lightweight Concrete

This concrete is specially formulated to be lighter and is made using lighter aggregates. It’s often used in long-spanning bridges.

High-Density Concrete

High-density concrete is the opposite of lightweight concrete and is made using heavier aggregates. It’s specifically used in atomic power plants to resist radiation.

Ready-Mix Concrete

This concrete is prepared in a factory and transported to the building site in trucks for immediate use. It’s commonly used to construct buildings, paths, and walls.

Rapid-Set Concrete (Quikrete)

As detailed above, this concrete sets fast and can be used quickly. It’s resistant to low temperatures, so it can be used year-round. 

Note: Have you ever wondered about mixing fast-setting concrete with regular concrete? Check out the linked guide for interesting insights.

When to Use Quikrete and When Not To

If Quikrete can be as strong as concrete, why would one not use it all the time?

Well, this is because its quick-drying nature makes it more suitable for some tasks than others. The site where it will be used must be fully prepared so that the application can be swift.

Speaking of Quikrete, you might also want to read this guide on how long Quikrete lasts to learn more about it.

When Quikrete Use Is Ideal

Quikrete is often used in small projects where the work can be completed quickly, such as small repairs or setting posts for fences, mailboxes, or lamps.

In the case of posts, you only need to dig a hole, pour in the Quikrete mix, and then add water. Your posts will be solid within a few hours, and you can hang your load on them.

Quikrete makes it possible for the DIY enthusiast to complete home projects yourself. Concrete is difficult to work with and could require a mixing truck and additional materials.

With Quikrete, you can mold the mixed product as you need and complete jobs without assistance.

Examples Requiring Fast Drying

Commercially, fast-setting concrete is regularly used in repairs where it’s important that it dries fast and the area can be used again quickly. This applies to projects like airport runway repairs, tunnel repairs, and so on that cannot wait while the concrete dries.

It’s also useful in the following circumstances:

• Underwater construction
• Cold or wet weather conditions
• Hot environments where water evaporates quickly
• Repairing concrete steps
• Underground works and tunneling 

When Regular Concrete Is Better

The higher cost of Quikrete is one of the main reasons why regular concrete is preferable for use on large projects, especially where the concrete will be over two inches thick. This applies to projects such as steps, patios, and curbs. Quick-setting concrete can crack after setting if the heat is not properly dissipated.

Also, it isn’t always possible on large projects to work as fast as required when dealing with Quikrete, and then standard concrete will be the better choice. Standard concrete takes a day or two to set and then requires up to a week to cure, so these timelines must be built into the project.

Knowing when concrete is strong enough for your project is essential. Read this simple guide on how long concrete takes to dry to get a complete idea.

Final Thoughts

Concrete is definitely not as simple as it seems at first glance. There are many different types of concrete designed for specific uses. Concrete is an incredibly strong product, illustrated by the fact that buildings built with concrete in Roman times still stand today.

Modern innovation has allowed for the development of Quikrete, which sets fast and is very versatile, especially for the home DIY enthusiast. It’s as strong as regular concrete and easier to work with for these kinds of projects. However, Quikrete is unlikely to be the answer for large-scale commercial projects.

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