Construction Using Ready-Mix Concrete: Complete Guide

At accordance with a predetermined recipe, ready-mixed concrete (RMC) is produced in a factory or batching plant and then transported to a construction site by truck-mounted transit mixers. The precise combination provided by this kind of concrete enables the fabrication of specialised concrete blends for use in construction projects.

In the 1930s, the first facility created especially for producing ready-mix concrete was built. The industry did not start to grow quickly until the late 1980s.

This blog has compiled information on ready-mixed concrete, including its varieties, benefits, and drawbacks.

READY-MIX CONCRETE: TYPES

The following list of components can be mixed to create one of three varieties of ready-mixed concrete (RMC):

1.      Centrally mixed concrete

Central-mixed concrete is a kind of ready-mix concrete that is often referred to as wet-batch or central batching plant concrete. Before being placed into truck mixers, the components are carefully combined. The truck mixer only functions as an agitator while it is being transported. Non-agitating units or dump trucks can also be employed when limited workability or a short lead time are necessary.

There are benefits and drawbacks to each of these varieties. The project's exact requirements will determine which type is best.

2.      Transit-mixed concrete

Transit mixed concrete, sometimes referred to as dry-batched concrete, is a kind of ready-mixed concrete in which all the components are put right into the truck mixer. The mixer drum is then loaded, rotating at a high speed, then transported to the building site, rotating at a slower agitation speed. Transit mixed concrete comes in three different varieties:

On the job site, a high-speed rotation of the drum just prior to material discharge ensures homogenous mixing of the concrete.

3.      Shrink-mixed concrete

Shrink-mixed concrete is another variety of mixed concrete. It is ready-mixed concrete, with some of the mixing taking place at the main batching facility.

It is finished using a truck-mounted drum mixer as it is being transported. Tests are used to establish the necessity for mixing in the drum mixer and to determine the extent of mixing at the central plant.

Ready-Mix Concrete Production Process

The ingredients for ready-mixed concrete include a mixture of cement, aggregates, sand, water, and other chemicals that are weigh-batched at a central plant to ensure the highest quality. The concrete is subsequently transported to construction sites by transit mixers and is ready for use without further preparation.

To create high-quality concrete, the automatic plant machinery is utilized to precisely monitor the weigh-batching, water-cement ratio, additive dosage, and moisture content. You need to take advice from experienced architecture consultants like ilaan.com for better construction services.

Trial mixes are created and tested in the lab to guarantee the calibre and uniformity of every batch. This makes sure that every batch of concrete complies with the precise mix designs according to the demands of the client and the various grades of concrete.

READY-MIX CONCRETE – PROS

·        Time-saving

In order to increase productivity and speed in the construction process, ready-mix concrete facilities use automated processes. An 8/12 mixer used in a standard site-mix concrete factory can only produce 4 to 5 cubic metres of concrete per hour. As a ready-mix factory may create 30 to 60 cubic metres of concrete each hour.

·        Produced Easily

On a building site, pouring concrete can be a difficult task. All the necessary components, including cement, sand, gravel, and other materials, must be managed, stored, and organized. It also needs a consistent supply of clean water to mix the concrete.

It provides a quicker and more powerful solution to these problems. It takes the place of having to manage, store, and organize materials, and it may be quickly supplied to the construction site, continuing the progress of the operation.

·        Cost-effective

This concrete is more economical than on-site mixing since labour and material expenses are lower. It increases the effectiveness of the building process.

Furthermore, ready-mix concrete eliminates the requirement for on-site mixing equipment, lowering the cost of acquisition and maintenance. Additionally, it lessens the requirement for specialised labour to mix and transport the concrete, which in some cases can result in significant financial savings.

READY-MIX CONCRETE – CONS

·        Short Time Period

Ready-mix must be used within 210 minutes due to the short window of time between mixing and curing. Modern admixtures can exactly alter that time period. It's crucial to consider the kind and quantity of additive used in the mixture.

·        Distance and Time

In ready-mixed concrete, the components are stored in bulk at a single location, where mixing also takes place. This means that getting to the location from the plant is important, especially for longer distances. The ready-mix concrete might no longer be usable by the time it gets to the site if it is too far away.

·        Traffic

The fact that ready-mix concrete increases traffic on the roads is another drawback. Large ready-mix trucks can cover a lot of ground on the road, obstructing other traffic. Furthermore, site access and access roads need to be strong enough to support the additional weight of the ready-mix truck with cargo. Utilizing organizations that are referred to as "mini mix" businesses will solve this issue.

WRAP IT UP

For big building jobs, ready-mixed concrete is a practical and effective choice. Its consistency in quality and strength is ensured by being produced in a factory or batching plant in accordance with a predetermined recipe. It is transported to the construction site using transit mixers mounted on trucks, which lowers labour and material expenses.