Ready Mix Concrete is concrete that is made in a batch factory, following a pre-engineered concrete mix design. The term, ready mix, describes the production of concrete. Ready-Mix Concrete normally comes in two different methods. One method delivers concrete by pressurized means, which may include high-pressure or ultra-high-pressure. The other method delivers concrete by gravity with no pressurization.
A standard batch of ready-mix concrete contains eighty-five percent aggregates, fifteen percent cement coarse aggregate, five percent filler materials, five percent water-resistant aggregates, and three percent sand. In some cases, the concrete mixes are made even more concentrated. This extra blend contains up to fifty percent more filler materials. Other additives which are usually expressed are colorants and surfactants. Colorants express the pigmentation or gloss characteristics of the concrete. Surfactants enhance the bond between the aggregates and the cement.
Usually, ready-mix concrete undergoes quality control through the pasteurization process. In this process, hot liquids containing detergents or disinfectants are sprayed on the aggregates to kill any germs before they bind to the aggregate. As a result, concrete is ready for installation. However, the mixing of the batch is not completely controlled, and imperfections in quality may occur.
Quality is one of the concerns that are raised when ready-mix concrete is directly sprayed on the project site. The problem lies in the fact that the concrete is so highly concentrated that there is too much water vapor for it to flow easily from the plant into the finished product. Also, the contact of too much concrete with water causes the mixture to become less pliable than traditional concrete. These factors make ready mix concrete less consumption friendly for the environment and to the users.
Apart from affecting the production cost, ready-mix concrete also poses another problem for the project manager. There is a need to provide labor costs for the truck drivers who have to manually pour the concrete mixture onto the ground. In most cases, the trucking companies do not provide this service because they think that the added cost is justified by the increased productivity. The truth is that the additional labor costs are only indirectly passed on to the customers. The quality of ready-mix concrete mixtures is not affected as long as the proper mixing techniques are used.
Concrete is not a very flexible material. The volume and thickness must be carefully considered during the manufacturing process. This is especially so in the case of ready-mix concrete. The ideal situation would be to allow the concrete to dry out completely before pouring it onto the construction site. But the process of drying concrete involves several steps which can delay the concrete pouring process considerably. In such a scenario, using a batching plant to pour the concrete is a good option.
Any concrete plant will claim that they possess the technology and expertise to deliver excellent ready-mix concrete. But only experienced and licensed concrete contractors should be employed for such jobs. A concrete business with several trucks and plant sites can easily hire experienced and licensed concrete contractors to oversee the entire process. The contractors can oversee the quality control standards of the ready-mix concrete and ensure that the standards are maintained at all times. This reduces the risk of quality-control violations and saves concrete contractors money.
A fully dried, partially blended piece of ready-mix concrete can be used for various purposes. It is an excellent solution for interior walls and other interior structures that require sturdiness. At the same time, it is also suitable for exterior structures such as fences and parking lots. If you want to make sure that your driveway and your sidewalks remain in excellent condition for years to come, you should consider using some of the ready-mixed products to keep your construction project on budget.