Types of concrete supply

Here at "All about Concrete," we cover all the information you require to understand this adaptable building material. The kind of concrete supply that is available is one of the most important factors to take into account when building. Your project’s outcome can be greatly impacted by the concrete you choose, with choices affecting everything from durability to aesthetic appeal.

The difference between ready-mix concrete and on-site mixed concrete is one of the main categories in the concrete supply. As the name implies, ready-mix concrete is made off-site in a batching plant using a predetermined recipe, then it is transported in a transit mixer truck to the construction site. This kind of concrete is preferred because it saves time and is consistent, arriving at the job site prepared for pouring into forms.

On the other hand, on-site mixed concrete is made on the construction site itself, where raw materials such as cement, aggregates, water, and occasionally additives are mixed together. With this approach, you have greater freedom to modify the mix design according to the particular needs of your project and the surrounding environment. It’s frequently selected for big projects where continuous pouring over a long time is required.

A further factor to take into account when supplying concrete is the variety of mix designs that are suited for various uses. Standard concrete mixes offer sufficient strength and durability for the majority of general construction applications. On the other hand, certain mixes—like self-compacting, lightweight, and high-strength concrete—are designed to fulfill particular performance standards.

For example, high-strength concrete is designed to support larger loads and is frequently used in constructions where strength is crucial, such as high-rise buildings and bridges. Conversely, lightweight concrete is prized for having a lower density, which makes it perfect for uses where weight is an issue, like precast elements or upper floors.

Self-compacting concrete is a technological innovation that ensures ideal compaction and a smooth finish by allowing it to flow and settle into formwork under its own weight without the need for vibration. Depending on the project’s needs for strength, weight, workability, and durability, each type of concrete supply has advantages.

Knowing the different kinds of concrete supplies that are out there enables contractors and builders to make well-informed decisions that complement project objectives and performance standards. The success and longevity of any construction project depend on selecting the appropriate concrete supply method, which can be defined by achieving greater strength, lowering weight, or guaranteeing ease of placement.

How to choose equipment?

Concrete should be transported and poured using methods that adhere to the following guidelines:

1. It is impossible to allow stratification of the mixture and leakage of cement milk.
2. It is necessary to accurately maintain the quality of the solution.
3. It is important to correctly calculate the time of delivery of cement until it sets.
4. Protection from atmospheric influences should be provided. For example, in summer, protection from ultraviolet radiation is needed, in winter – from freeze-thaw cycles.

You should be aware that there are two ways to get around:

1. Continuous process. For its implementation, pipelines, hoses or conveyors are used. The method is relevant if the place of mixing the solution is located near the construction site, as well as when performing large-scale work.
2. Cyclic process. The method includes two stages. Initially, the mixture is transported to the construction site on dump trucks, concrete trucks, concrete mixers or in special containers on barges, auto or railway platforms. At the second stage, the mixture is supplied to the site with a hose connected to a truck crane, concrete pump, concrete paver, etc. p.

Having decided on the correct transportation of the solution, you can choose special equipment that will ensure the safety of the mixture and maximum savings in money and labor costs. It is important to take into account the type and location of the structure being erected, the volume and speed of work.

Transportation process

There are multiple stages involved in the working mixture delivery and transportation process scheme:

1. Receiving cement from a concrete mixer.
2. Transportation to the concreting site by special transport.
3. Unloading cement with a hose at the masonry site.

In this instance, there are two cost-effective schemes for the supply of cement. It is possible to arrange for transportation such that the concreting unit receives the cement mortar straight from the distribution point. Lifts, bucket-bearing cranes, vibrating feeders, conveyors, concrete pavers, motorized trolleys, and concrete pumps are all used for this purpose.

Between the time of receipt and delivery, there is a stage of mixture reloading in a more costly scheme. As a result, means of transportation are employed in addition to the equipment mentioned above.

Transportation by pipeline

The use of concrete injection pipelines on contemporary construction sites is growing. There are several benefits to this delivery strategy. To begin with, the mixture can be moved horizontally over any length of space and vertically to varying heights. Cement can be pumped via concrete pipes, or hoses, even into locations that are difficult to access. If there is a concrete mixing plant on the property, work is done all the time. One hose or pipeline is used for this, greatly cutting down on labor costs and time.

The only thing left to do is pump solutions to the masonry site using specialized pumps. Concrete pumps, pneumatic blowers, and other transport communications are a few examples. Oil-hydraulic driven pumps are the most widely used type. Because of their faster wear, mechanical superchargers are less common. The supply hoses or steel concrete pipes that these devices are attached to are used to pump cement from the concrete mixer.

Comprehending the diverse varieties of concrete supplies is essential for successful project completion in the construction industry. Each option has unique benefits and things to keep in mind, ranging from ready-mix concrete that is delivered to your site for immediate use to on-site mixed concrete that is customized to meet the needs of a particular project. Budgeting, schedules, and the general quality of construction can all be greatly impacted by choosing the appropriate kind of concrete supply, regardless of your priorities: convenience, economy, or customization. This article examines these various supply methods and provides information to assist professionals in making decisions that are in line with the needs and objectives of their projects.

Road delivery

For the transportation and pumping of pre-made masonry mortar, vehicles such as dump trucks, specialized concrete trucks, concrete mixers, and other unique containers on auto platforms with hoses are utilized.

Every kind of equipment has unique qualities. Dump trucks, for instance, are the most widely used. They are not as good for transportation, though. Stratification, summertime water evaporation, and wintertime rapid cooling all contribute to 2% mixture losses. Furthermore, they require manual cleaning.

A concrete mixer truck with more advanced structural features can deliver cement. It has a unique body whose shape guarantees a steady supply of cement without the need for manual labor. Stratification of cement is not included. The cover guards against potential cooling and moisture loss.

Trucks with concrete mixers are the priciest. It is recommended that you only use them for transportation within cities or up to 70 km away. This kind of transportation is unique in that water is added right before unloading, starting with a dry mixture that is loaded into the machine. This enables you to obtain the best possible solution as an output.

Since a large number of them are needed, using containers and other special containers is the most economically disadvantageous method for large-scale construction.

Delivery by crane and lifts

A tower or boom mechanism with a bucket for cement mortar is called a concrete crane. The metered supply of the mixture into the masonry block and its subsequent distribution is what makes these self-propelled devices unique. Both a horizontal and vertical plane can be used to move cement.

Two varieties of special buckets exist:

• a non-rotating feed bucket, with which feeding is carried out only in a horizontal plane;
• a rotating bucket equipped with a vibrator. It is distinguished by the possibility of horizontal loading and vertical movement with subsequent unloading to different heights.

Concrete is only supposed to move horizontally with the help of special lifts. To lay interfloor ceilings, for instance, rack devices with buckets or containers attached raise the mixture. Scooters, carts, and rickshaws are used for moving between building sites.

Use of belt conveyors

Small point structures are built as part of the plan for both industrial and residential construction that uses this kind of device. Mobile conveyors come with a 40–50 cm wide, 6–15 m long belt that can be smooth or ribbed. You can adjust the pouring height between 1.5 and 4 meters. Conveyor pouring has the unique ability to be used in continuous processes. In this instance, the necessary thickness of mixture flows smoothly.

Due to the conveyor’s ability to organize the belt self-cleaning process and return the pouring residues to the dispensing unit, solution losses are reduced to a minimum.

However, this method has some nuances. Strict adherence to the instructions allows you to prevent the possibility of stratification of the mixture. For example, the mobility of the pour should be 6 cm or less. The angle of the belt on the rise and fall for a mixture with a mobility of up to 4 cm should be 18° and 12°, respectively. With this parameter in the range of 4-6 cm, the belt can be raised to 15°, and lowered to 10°. In this case, the feed belt should move at a speed of less than 1 m / s. For unloading, guide shields with a canopy height of more than 0.6 m should be used. In this case, the cement should not flow off the conveyor.

One of the drawbacks of this kind of solution delivery process organization is that concrete cannot be evenly distributed across the concreting area. Conveyors need to be manually rearranged when processing a large area, which adds to labor costs and delays construction.

The best pavers are made of concrete. It is advised to use these machines to lay monolithic foundations for structures and process machinery. A concrete paver is a rotating platform machine that uses a telescopic belt conveyor to receive and pour cement into areas that need to be concreted.

Comprehending the various varieties of concrete supplies is imperative for individuals engaged in building or remodeling endeavors. Various types provide distinct benefits based on the particular requirements of the undertaking.

In most cases, ready-mix concrete is a practical choice for building projects. It saves time and labor because it comes to the job site pre-mixed and ready to pour. For projects where exact measurements and constant quality are crucial, this kind of concrete is perfect. Because of ready-mix’sdependabilityand effectiveness in finishing projects on time, contractors frequently select it.

Conversely, site-mixed concrete allows for greater adaptability and personalization. On-site mixing of this kind of concrete occurs in accordance with project specifications. It is appropriate for projects where access is restricted or where significant amounts of concrete are required, and it permits modifications to the mix design. Concrete that has been mixed on site can be a more affordable option, particularly for smaller-scale projects.

Precast concrete offers yet another option for the specialized. Concrete is poured into molds off-site, allowed to cure, and then transported to the construction site. Applications for precast concrete components include decorative elements, structural elements, and building facades. This process guarantees superior finishes and facilitates speedy on-site installation.

Whichever kind of concrete supply you decide on, the best choice will depend on a number of variables, including the size of the project, the available funds, the schedule, and any unique requirements. Every approach has advantages, and knowing these differences enables one to make well-informed choices that lead to successful construction projects.

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