What is a common characteristic of plastic concrete?

Plastic concrete refers to the initial stage of freshly mixed concrete before it sets and hardens. A key characteristic of plastic concrete is that it has a slow change in form. This means that it can be easily molded or shaped during this period before it transitions into a solid state through the curing process.

This property allows for versatility in construction, as workers have a significant window of time to work with the material before it begins to set. The process of curing involves gradual hardening which allows the concrete to take on its final shape.

On the other hand, the other characteristics listed do not accurately describe plastic concrete. For instance, it is not typically porous at this stage, as the water and aggregate have not yet settled into a solid structure. Additionally, plastic concrete does not exhibit flexibility once cured; rather, it becomes rigid and strong. While it does change form, it does so progressively rather than instantly, allowing time for adjustments before setting occurs.