Ready mix concrete: transforming construction efficiency
The finished concrete mix is a material that has already been prepared and is ready for use for construction work. It is a mixture of cement, sand, crushed stone and water, which is pre-prepared at the factory or in special concrete mixing equipment. The finished concrete mix is convenient because the customer can receive an accurately measured amount of concrete without worrying about the correct proportions of the components and their mixing. This speeds up and simplifies the construction process.
5 advantages of using a ready-made concrete mix
Let’s consider the main advantages of using a ready-made concrete mix when performing construction work of any type:
- Saving time. The use of a ready-made concrete mix allows you to save time on the preparation and mixing of components. This is especially important when performing construction work with tight deadlines.
- The accuracy of the proportions. Manufacturers of the finished concrete mix strictly observe the established proportions of the components, which ensures high quality concrete and its uniformity.
- Ease of use. The customer receives the finished material, which is ready for use, without requiring additional preparation. This simplifies workflows and reduces the risk of mixing errors.
- Quality control. Manufacturers of the finished concrete mix carry out quality control at various stages of production, which ensures that the material meets standards and requirements.
- Saving resources. The use of a ready-made mixture avoids excessive consumption of materials, since the components are already properly dosed. This reduces construction costs and increases resource efficiency.
These advantages are quite significant, especially when it comes to the construction of sufficiently large and large-scale facilities.
How is the finished concrete produced
The production of the ready mix concrete mix usually includes the following steps:
- Preparation of raw materials. Cement, as the main component, is selected in accordance with the requirements of the project. Sand and crushed stone are selected according to the standards and requirements to achieve the necessary characteristics of concrete. The water must meet the standards of purity and quality.
- Mixing. The components are mixed in a concrete mixing plant. Usually it is a rotating drum, inside of which there is intense mixing.
- Adding additives and additives. According to the requirements of the quality and properties of concrete, additives such as plasticizers, accelerators/retarders of curing, waterproof additives and others can be added.
- Quality control. Constant quality control is carried out at all stages of production. This includes testing concrete samples for strength, resistance to various factors and compliance with standards.
- Transportation. After the mixing is completed, the concrete is transported to the construction site. This can be done using special concrete mixers, concrete trucks or other means of transport.
The processes may vary slightly depending on the specific manufacturer and the technology used, but in general, these steps represent the overall production process of the finished concrete mix.