Ready-mix concrete (RMC) is a type of concrete manufactured in a factory or batching plant to specified mix proportions and then delivered to the site by lorry-mounted transit mixers.
Ready-mixed concrete consists of a mixture of cement, water, sand, and aggregates. The exact composition can vary depending on the specific requirements of the construction project.
This results in precise mix proportions being delivered in pre-ordered quantities (measured by volume in cubic meters), which can be custom-made to suit different construction applications.
Ready-mix concrete is manufactured under computer-controlled operations and transported and placed at the site using sophisticated equipment and methods.
The production process involves meticulous batching, precise mixing, and prompt delivery to construction sites, eliminating the need for on-site concrete preparation.
Ready-mix concrete provides customers with numerous benefits but a few disadvantages.
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Advantages of Ready-Mix over Site-Mixed Concrete
Some advantages of Ready-Mix concrete are:
- A better and more consistent quality of concrete is produced.
- There is no need for storage space for basic materials.
- The elimination of procurement/hiring of the mixing plant and machinery.
- Wastage of basic materials is avoided.
- The labour associated with the site production of concrete is eliminated.
- The time required is greatly reduced.
- Noise and dust pollution on the site are reduced.
Disadvantages of Ready-Mix Concrete
Ready-mix concrete does have some disadvantages as follows:
- The materials are batched and mixed at a central plant, so the travelling time from the plant to the site is critical over longer distances. Some sites are just too far away!
- Concrete’s limited lifespan between mixing and ‘going off’ means that ready-mix should be placed within 2 hours of batching at the plant. Concrete is still usable after this point, but may not conform to relevant specifications.
- It generates additional road traffic. Moreover, access roads and site access are to be able to accommodate the weight and size of the truck and load.
- Any shortfall in quantity, due to a miscalculation, could result in work already done being wasted. Conversely, over-ordering will result in costly wastage of unused concrete.
Applications of Ready-Mix Concrete
Ready-mix concrete is used in a variety of construction projects, including;
- Residential construction: For the construction of structural elements such as foundations, walls, ceilings, beams, columns, and slabs.
- Infrastructure construction: Roads, bridges, dams, and tunnels.
- Industrial construction: Factories, warehouses, wind farms, and office buildings.
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