What is ready-mix concrete: advantages and disadvantages, grades, where it is used

Ready-mix concrete is prepared per a predetermined recipe in a factory or batching plant, and it is subsequently transported to a construction site by transit mixers mounted on trucks. This approach makes concrete ready for use right away, which makes it a practical and effective option for a variety of construction projects.

The uniformity of quality offered by ready-mix concrete is one of its main benefits. The product is consistently produced in a controlled environment with minimal human error, meaning that the necessary specifications are met on a regular basis. This is especially crucial for projects requiring a high level of durability and precision.

Ready-mix concrete can also reduce labor costs and save time. This eliminates the need for on-site mixing, which can be labor- and time-intensive, as it arrives at the site ready to use. When time is of the essence for large-scale projects, this efficiency can be very advantageous.

However, there are drawbacks to ready-mix concrete as well. One significant disadvantage is that, once delivered, concrete must be placed quickly because delays can lower the material’s quality. Furthermore, it may be more expensive than mixing concrete on-site, especially for smaller projects where the cost of delivery logistics is not justified.

There are different grades of ready-mix concrete, and each is appropriate for a particular use. The concrete’s durability and compressive strength are indicated by its grade. M20, M25, and M30 are common grades; higher numbers denote stronger concrete. To guarantee structural integrity and longevity, it is essential to comprehend the right grade for your project.

This kind of concrete is frequently used in construction, from driveways and roads to building floors and foundations. For both residential and commercial projects, where dependable and high-quality concrete is crucial, its versatility and dependability make it the preferred option.

What is it

Concrete mixers are used to transport this mixture from the plant to construction sites. To create a composition like this, the following elements are utilized:

The ratios are determined by the intended outcome. Other materials that enhance the properties of the solution can be added. This mixture is of a higher caliber than the one made on location, or To. Everything is under control, from manufacturing to delivery. Accurate formulas, specialized tools, and skilled labor are employed.

A variety of component combinations are used, particularly cement and water, to alter the composition’s properties. These materials give the solution its viscosity and give it its monolithic form. Furthermore, it is important to consider indicators like the moisture content of aggregates and sand.

Scope of application

The following uses are made of the mixture:

• pouring foundations of any type;
• construction of load-bearing seamless structures;
• laying floors;
• arrangement of paths, street areas and blind areas;
• hydraulic engineering and road construction;
• filling artificial reservoirs.

Ready-mix concrete refers to a pre-mixed mixture of cement, aggregates, and water that is prepared in a batch plant using predetermined ratios and then transported in a ready-to-use state to construction sites. This kind of concrete has a few benefits, like uniform quality, time savings, and lower labor costs, but it also has some disadvantages, like higher initial costs and the requirement to use it right away before it sets. Ready-mix concrete is widely used in a wide range of projects, from large-scale commercial buildings and infrastructure to residential driveways and foundations. It is available in different grades to suit different construction needs.

Characteristics

Construction workers are familiar with ready-mixed concrete. You should educate yourself about the goals of each brand before making any purchases. Depending on the required density, plasticity, and hydration qualities, the mixture’s recipe varies.

1. Mark. Varies in the range from M50 to M1000. This indicator determines the average compression strength limit.
2. Class (from B3.5 to 80).
3. Frost resistance. A value showing the number of freezing cycles permissible for a frozen mixture.
4. Moisture resistance. The ability to maintain a structure and prevent the penetration of water.
5. The temperature expansion coefficient. Reflects the expansion or compression of the composition when heated or cooling.
6. Fire resistance.
7. Mobility. Fluidity and the ability of the mixture to fill all the cracks when filling.

The highest thermal conductivity is found in heavy mixtures, up to 2500 kg/m³, which are employed as supporting structures. Lighter: these are supplemental materials with a thermal insulation purpose. With a density of 500 to 1800 kg/m³, the lightweight composition’s high porosity makes it suitable for use as a severe frost barrier.

Advantages

This composition has several advantageous qualities, such as:

• uniform shrinkage over the entire treated area;
• favorable cost (including mixing and transportation);
• saving labor costs;
• possibility of quick ordering and delivery;
• use of the most suitable plasticizers;
• absence of seams.

Plasticizers enhance the properties of performance during the concrete structure pouring process as well as in the final product. The solution becomes more plastic and viscous with these ingredients.

After hardening, this type of concrete has great strength. The composition is put through quality control and conformity testing in a lab setting.

• use of pure components (crushed stone, sand, gravel);
• control over humidity and temperature;
• use of water of the required temperature and hardness;
• checking the density of crushed stone, its size and flakiness;
• high-quality cement;
• precise calculation of proportions;
• technology of mixing and adding components;
• compliance of finished products with GOST;
• compliance with mixing time.

Because the concrete mixer has a 12 m³ capacity, the customer can receive the necessary volume of mixture all at once. Hand preparation of this amount of concrete is not feasible.

The buyer still wins even with a minimum order (starting at 2 m³) because the overall costs of labor, raw materials, and energy will be nearly equal in both scenarios. However, the final material’s quality attributes are far better than those of a self-prepared mixture.

A significant amount of mortar is needed for foundation installation because cracks will appear if the mortar is poured in stages. This amount of work is very challenging to complete manually.

Disadvantages

One of the drawbacks is that the mixture cannot be transported over large distances. The purchaser is compelled to seek out a plant situated in the closest vicinity of the construction site.

Types

Two categories of mixtures exist:

1. Factory. The composition is prepared on the manufacturer"s premises, after which it is transported to customers. During transportation, the mixture is mixed to prevent excessive rigidity and stratification.
2. Transport-concrete. Materials are poured into a transport container, where they are mixed during transportation (or before unloading).

The mixture’s properties are contingent upon the application domain and the necessary strength indicator.

• extra heavy (density exceeds 2500 kg / m³);
• heavy (from 1800 to 2500 kg / m³);
• large-porous (using porous cement stone);
• light (from 500 to 1800 kg / m³);
• very light (less than 500 kg / m³).

Density is a significant indicator that is shaped by the following variables:

• composition structure;
• filler type;
• density of cement stone.

Sorting based on the kind of binder:

• cement;
• silicate;
• gypsum;
• slag-alkali;
• polymer cement;
• special.

Composition

The following components go into making the mixture:

1. Cement. Is the main component. It is a gray powder that hardens upon contact with water.
2. Construction sand (the size of the grains should not exceed 0.5 mm).
3. Crushed stone. Stones of 5 mm in size are used.
4. Ballast (a mixture of gravel and sand). Optimal proportions are 1:3.
5. Clean water.

Brands

1. M-100. Used at the initial stages of construction.
2. M-150. Pouring screed, erecting foundations and other auxiliary work.
3. M-200. Construction of roads, low-rise buildings and foundations.
4. M-250. Installation of paving blocks, flights of stairs, foundations of monolithic buildings and fences.
5. M-300. Construction of various roads.
6. M-350. Manufacturing columns, ceilings and load-bearing walls.
7. M-400. Construction of high-strength structures (storages, bridges).
8. M-450. Construction of buildings regularly subjected to dynamic and static loads.
9. M-500. For buildings with increased stability.
10. M-550. Construction of industrial facilities.
11. M-600. For structures of increased complexity.

Manufacturing technology

1. Preparation of the necessary components: heating of aggregates, grinding of cement and preparation of chemical additives.
2. Dosing of the composition (special dispensers are used).
3. Mixing (until a homogeneous mass is obtained). For the creation of a coarse-grained mixture, gravity concrete mixing equipment is used, and for a fine-grained mixture, forced-action equipment.

The amount of time spent mixing directly affects the composition’s quality.

Ready-mix concrete is a practical and adaptable building material with many advantages for a range of construction tasks. Its primary benefit is the constant quality attained by careful batching and mixing at a specialized plant. This guarantees that every batch satisfies the particular specifications of a project, improving performance and durability. Furthermore, ready-mix concrete arrives ready to use, saving time and labor on site by removing the need for on-site mixing and shortening construction schedules.

But there are a few disadvantages to take into account. Ready-mix concrete can be difficult to transport, particularly to remote or difficult-to-reach areas. Additionally, it only has a short working time before it begins to set, necessitating careful preparation and coordination during pouring and delivery. Even with these difficulties, the advantages frequently exceed the drawbacks, especially for complicated or large-scale projects where efficiency and constant quality are crucial.

There are different grades of ready-mix concrete, each intended for particular uses and performance standards. The right grade must be chosen to ensure the structure performs at its best and lasts a long time. Lower grades are appropriate for non-structural elements, while higher grades are used in high-strength applications like bridges and tall buildings. Ready-mix concrete can be tailored to meet a variety of project requirements due to its extensive selection of grades.

This material is employed in a wide range of construction projects, such as the construction of roads, buildings for residential and commercial use, and infrastructure improvements. Several builders and contractors favor it because of its versatility, excellent quality control, and ease of use. Ready-mix concrete is a dependable option that improves the effectiveness and longevity of construction projects, regardless of the scale of the project—from modest home improvements to large public works projects.