What is MPA?

Concrete is rated by compressive strength, which is measured in MPa (megapascals). MPa is the metric unit of measurement for pressure.

To put it into perspective: a single Pascal represents roughly the amount of downward pressure that a single Canadian bank note exerts while resting flat upon a surface. In the metric system, mega equals one million – so one MPa is the downward pressure exerted by one million bank notes and 30 MPa is the downward pressure exerted by 30 million bank notes.

Whether you’re building foundations or pouring exterior flatwork, knowing the recommended MPa for your concrete is vital. All building projects in British Columbia are governed by the BC Building Code (BCBC), which sets a required minimum MPa for specific concrete applications.

As the Comox Valley’s concrete experts, it’s our job to know the codes! You can trust that we will always produce your concrete to the precise specifications demanded by your project.

To ensure our concrete always meets or exceeds your requirements, we have a full-time quality control technician and our own fully equipped lab to ensure your concrete is always the right blend – that’s our commitment to quality assurance.

Discover a concrete company committed to delivering unparalleled quality. Call (250) 336-8515 or contact us today to discuss your project and request a quote.

Concrete Location	BCBC* Minimum Strength (MPa)	BCBC Maximum W/C* Ratio	BCBC Air Content	Suggested Strength (MPa)	Maximum W/C Ratio	Optimum Air Content Range
Footing, walls, foundations	15	0.70	n/a	20 – 25	0.55 – 0.60	3-5%
Interior flatwork	20	0.65	n/a	25 -28	0.50 – 0.55	3-5%
Garages, carports	32	0.45	5-8%	32	0.45	5-6%
Exterior flatwork	32	0.45	5-8%	32	0.45	5-7%

*BCBC = BC Building Code 2006: Housing and Small Buildings guide.