Ready Mix Concrete’s superior quality, consistency, and sustainability make it the preferred building material for builders worldwide. Because it is pre-mixed concrete produced in a controlled environment in the amount you need and the appropriate mix for your project, this versatile product helps contractors minimize waste and maximize productivity.
To further understand the brilliance of Ready Mix Concrete, learning about the steps involved in producing this durable concrete mix is essential.
It Starts At The Batch Plant
Concrete consists of water, cement, aggregates, and additives. A batch plant sorts and mixes the ingredients based on your project’s requirements. Not to be confused with a cement plant where the concrete ingredients are mined, batch plants do not crush or blast, significantly reducing noise and dust pollution.
Here, precise measurements of each ingredient are meticulously calculated based on the desired mix design. The aggregates are carefully weighed and combined with cement and additives in controlled proportions.
Once the mix is formulated, it is sent to high-speed rotating drums or twin-shaft mixers to blend the ingredients thoroughly, ensuring uniform distribution and consistency throughout the mixture. Water is added gradually to achieve the desired workability.
According to the Texas Aggregates & Concrete Association (TACA), water usage is taken seriously by batch plants. They explain, “Most concrete batch plants recycle rainfall and water that is used onsite. Facilities can and often do utilize stormwater and process water collected in onsite systems, repurposing that water back into the production process at the facility for aggregate cooling, dust suppression, and wash-down for trucks. Every gallon that is repurposed in this manner translates to water supply savings.”
After the mix is ready, it is sent to a Ready Mix truck to be transported to the job site.
Time for Transportation
The concrete mixture undergoes strict quality control measures throughout the mixing process and before your concrete mix makes it onto a Ready Mix truck. These inspections can assure the customer that the product meets the specified requirements and is up to American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) standards. Tests will measure strength, temperature, air content, slump, and unit weight.
When ready to head to the job site, the mixture is loaded into a truck-mounted rotating drum on vehicles known as transit mixers or concrete trucks. The rotating drums contain a pair of blades set in a spiracle configuration that assists in mixing when the drum spins in one direction and encourages discharge in the opposite revolution. Prompt delivery is crucial to prevent premature hardening and ensure the concrete arrives at the construction site in optimal condition.
Delivery and Application
Once the transit mixer reaches the construction site, time is of the essence. The concrete is discharged into forms or molds, where contractors carefully spread it to create uniform compaction. Finishing techniques can differ depending on the project requirements and the contractor’s specialties. Ready Mix Concrete is used in several applications, such as precast, tilt-up, and flowable fill.
After the concrete is poured, it begins a curing process to maintain moisture and promote hydration, allowing it to achieve full strength and durability. At this phase, proper temperature and humidity control are critical to prevent cracking and ensure performance over time. The strengthening process of concrete may take days or, in some cases, several weeks or months.
Ready For Ready Mix? Contact Us Today!
Now that you understand the process behind Ready Mix Concrete, it’s time to place your order. Ready Mix Concrete is measured in volume, and as the leading Ready Mix Concrete supplier in Northern Texas, we have taken the guesswork out of it. Using our concrete calculator, you can determine how much concrete you need for your project.
AMCorp is your trusted Ready Mix Concrete supplier east of Dallas, TX. Contact AMCorp today to discuss your project or request a quote.