On hardening of the concrete, cement hydration takes place, resulting in the emergence of a solid artificial stone. The reaction is exothermic, i.e., heat is released during the process. During the hardening, processes take place with the concrete mix; the concrete mix solidifies, congeals and hardens.
The concrete mix is usually manufactured from a cement binder (such as Portland cement or oil shale cement) and with normal dense aggregates, such as crushed stone or gravel, sand and water.