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The Amazing World of Concrete

The next time you are walking around a city, look around and count the number of things made from concrete. Chances are, you'll see buildings, pathways, and even some accessory items like benches and fountains. Concrete is everywhere, and there's a good reason for that. It works. Concrete is hard, durable, and relatively easy to install. Concrete contractors mix the material and pour it into pre-designed molds. It hardens, and then it can last for decades, especially if properly maintained. Keep reading this blog to learn more about concrete and concrete contractors. You'll gain more appreciation for the many concrete items you see.

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The Amazing World of Concrete

What Is Ready-Mix Concrete And What Are Its Benefits?

by Samantha Robinson

Concrete is one of the basic materials of modern society. For many years, all construction projects have been achieved with on-site mixed concrete. Although many construction projects still prefer on-site mixed concrete, many other projects are switching to ready-mix concrete alternatives. Ready-mix concrete is a type of concrete that is manufactured in a batching plant or factory and delivered to construction sites in a ready-to-use form. This is a convenient and time-saving solution that eliminates the need for on-site mixing of concrete materials. Such as:

  • Different characteristics of the construction: On-site mixing is not a precise procedure. Meaning there may be differences in proportions, mixing time, and humidity conditions. This can lead to differences in the density and durability of the structure.

  • Need for mixing equipment and location: Mixing concrete requires personnel, vehicles, tools, and space to work. This will overcrowd the construction site with workers and machinery. In fact, this may even lead to accidents.

  • Increased waste materials: Due to uneven mixing conditions, concrete batches can be deficient. This can lead to wasted time and materials.

What is Ready-Mix Concrete?

Batching plants process ready-mix concrete with specialized equipment and facilities. This allows companies to accurately measure and proportion ingredients. In fact, they base proportions on predetermined mix designs. These pre-determined recipes include cement, aggregates (such as sand, gravel, or crushed stone), water, and, in some cases, additives to enhance specific properties. This creates high-quality concrete with consistent characteristics throughout the batch.

What are its Benefits?

Furthermore, ready-mix concrete is a customizable material that can meet specific project requirements. Its formulations include different strengths, workability, durability, and other properties based on the intended application. In fact, the mix can also include additives to enhance specific characteristics. Such as modifying the setting time, improving workability, or providing resistance to harsh environmental conditions. This means ready-mix concrete recipes will be different depending on whether the structure will be exposed to sunlight, water, vehicles, or other factors.

What Happens Next?

Once the mixing is complete, the ready-mix concrete is loaded into specially designed trucks called transit mixers. These trucks are equipped with rotating drums that keep the concrete agitated during transportation to prevent segregation and ensure uniformity. These trucks transport the concrete to construction sites. Then, it's discharged from the truck to the desired location, like foundations, slabs, columns, walls, or other structural elements.

Conclusion

In summary, ready-mix concrete is pre-mixed concrete that is manufactured in a controlled environment and transported to construction sites for immediate use. Its benefits include time savings, consistency, quality, waste reduction, and customization options. It is widely used in various construction projects, ranging from residential buildings to commercial structures, infrastructure development, and more.

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