Concrete is a mixture of cement, fine and coarse aggregates, and water that hardens when cured. It is proportioned to obtain a desired quality, with nominal or design mixes. Grades of concrete like M15 or M20 refer to expected compressive strengths of 15 or 20 N/mm^2 at 28 days. Higher grades like M30 or above require design mixes and are used for heavily loaded or pre-stressed concrete structures.