What is Ready Mix Concrete?
Ready mix concrete is a specialized form of concrete that is manufactured in batching plants according to precise specifications. It is then delivered to construction sites via truck mounted transit mixers. Ready mix concrete is customized for specific contractors and projects, differing from generic bagged concrete mixes.
The ready mix concrete industry has expanded significantly since the 1920s. Today over 70% of concrete used in construction projects across the Canada utilizes ready mix concrete. It offers numerous benefits in efficiency, quality control, and sustainability over concrete mixed entirely on job sites.
Key Takeaways
- Ready mix concrete is manufactured in controlled factory settings and delivered to work sites via truck mounted transit mixers
- It undergoes precision proportioning of materials, thorough mixing, and consistency adjustments for reliable quality
- Advantages like speed, sustainability and reliability are driving ready mix dominance in modern construction globally
History and Evolution of Ready Mix Concrete
While basic concrete technology traces back to ancient history, modern ready mix concrete emerged relatively recently. Some key developments include:
- Early 1900s: First concrete delivery trucks, usually with horse-drawn mixers
- 1913: First recorded concrete batch plant for ready mix production
- 1920s Onwards: Growing adoption of motorized transit mixers
- 1940s: Widespread industry expansion aided by advanced mixers and trucks
Technology advancements allowed precise combination of ingredients at dedicated plants and efficient delivery across cities. This catalyzed the growth of ready mix concrete. Today ready mix concrete combines specialized plant batching technology with advanced transit mixer trucks for flexible, on-demand concrete delivery.
Types of Ready Mix Concrete
There are three primary types of ready mix concrete:
Transit Mixed Concrete
Transit mixed concrete undergoes initial dry batching at the plant. Mixing with water happens during transportation via the truck mixer drum. This allows flexibility in concrete volume and adjustment at the job site.
Shrink Mixed Concrete
Shrink mixing partially combines ingredients at the batch plant. This "shrinks" the mixture volume for easier truck loading. Additional mixing occurs en route to the destination or on-site. Shrink mixing increases delivery capacity per transit mixer truck.
Central Mixed Concrete
With central mixing, all concrete constituents mix thoroughly at the batch plant first. Transit mixer trucks then transport the fully mixed concrete to work sites. This removes variability from on-site mixing but offers less customization after batching.
Ready Mix Concrete Production Overview
Producing ready mix concrete is a precise, high-tech process:
- Proportion Materials: Raw ingredients like cement, aggregates, and admixtures are proportioned accurately using computer-controlled systems. This achieves the desired concrete properties.
- Mix Thoroughly: State-of-the-art industrial mixers thoroughly blend materials at batch plants for consistent quality and workability.
- Transport to Site: Specialized transit mixer trucks can withstand the rigors of concrete delivery to distant sites without separation.
- Adjust on Site: Once on site, workers can adjust concrete by adding water or admixtures to achieve required consistency.
Sophisticated batching plants thus create specialized concrete remotely while giving the flexibility of fine-tuning mixtures on location as needed.
Ordering and Delivery Logistics
Ordering ready mix concrete requires planning the design, quantity, timing, and other specifications appropriately. Suppliers schedule transit mixer dispatch to coordinate job site arrival shortly before required pouring. Workers test samples on arrival before unloading with pumps or buckets.
Careful coordination minimizes setting issues even for delayed pours due to traffic delays. Additional water or chemical retarders may get added on-site to extend working time while retaining strength properties.
Advantages of Ready Mix Concrete
Below are some of the many advantages driving ready mix concrete's immense popularity:
- Quality Control: Batching under controlled factory conditions with precise industrial equipment ensures reliably high quality.
- Customization: Ready mix concrete gets tailored to meet the unique specifications of any job. Multiple mix designs readily produce concrete with different strengths, setting times, etc using the same batching plant and delivery equipment.
- Speed: On-demand scheduling and fast transit times results in rapid, reliable concrete delivery. This aids speedy construction.
- Cost Savings: No expenditures needed for on-site measuring equipment, mixers, etc. Savings also arise from efficiency gains and waste reduction.
- Sustainability: Modern equipment optimizes cement and water usage. Lower dust and emissions also maximize environmental friendliness.
These factors make ready mix concrete ideal for most applications today. With increasing quality and sustainability demands in construction, ready mix concrete provides the perfect solution.
Disadvantages
Despite overwhelming advantages, some limitations to ready mix concrete exist:
- Workability Loss: Concrete can stiffen faster during delivery, affecting placement. Retempering material on-site brings it back to usable consistency when needed.
- Traffic Delays: Unpredictable delays occasionally affect workability or setting before pouring on arrival. Proper coordination is essential to minimize issues.
- Logistics Planning: Large pores need more planning for rapid deployment of workers and equipment for quick unloading, laying and finishing.
While manageable with good planning, these factors provide the motivation for ongoing transportation efficiency enhancements by ready mix suppliers.
Conclusion
Ready mix concrete delivers tailor-made, specialized concrete mixtures made under controlled conditions directly to construction sites for immediate use. This revolutionary building material is transforming construction with its quality, speed, reliability and efficiency - factors driving rapid industry growth year after year.
To leverage ready mix concrete for your next project, consult reputable local suppliers on mix design, delivery planning and site deployment. Advanced coordination will aid executing your construction vision rapidly and cost effectively using ready mix concrete's capabilities.
FAQs
1. What are the key characteristics of Ready Mix Concrete?
Ready Mix Concrete is a specialized form of concrete designed and manufactured in batching plants. This comprehensive guide explores its characteristics, production process, and why it's becoming increasingly popular in construction.
2. How has the history of Ready Mix Concrete shaped its current usage?
Delve into the historical evolution of Ready Mix Concrete, from early concrete delivery trucks in the 1900s to the widespread industry expansion in the 1940s. Understand the technological advancements that contributed to its growth and efficiency.
3. Can you explain the different types of Ready Mix Concrete and their advantages?
Explore the three primary types of Ready Mix Concrete: Transit Mixed, Shrink Mixed, and Central Mixed. Understand the unique benefits each type offers, including flexibility in volume, efficient loading, and thorough mixing at batch plants.
4. What is the precise process involved in the production of Ready Mix Concrete?
Gain insights into the high-tech production process of Ready Mix Concrete. From accurately proportioning raw materials using computer-controlled systems to the thorough mixing at batch plants, understand how specialized batching plants create customized concrete.
5. What are the advantages and disadvantages of using Ready Mix Concrete in construction projects?
Discover the numerous advantages of Ready Mix Concrete, including quality control, customization, speed, cost savings, and sustainability. Additionally, explore the limitations such as workability issues, traffic delays, and logistics planning, and how they can be managed for successful construction projects.
