Basic Indigrents of Ready Mixed Concrete

Ready mixed concrete is pre-blended concrete produced at a central plant and delivered to the construction site in cylindrical trucks, commonly known as cement mixers, in a plastic form. Each batch is tailored to meet the specific requirements of the customer, offering convenience and efficiency for both small and large-scale projects.

Basic Ingredients of Ready Mixed Concrete

Ready mixed concrete is composed of three key ingredients:

1. Portland Cement
2. Water
3. Aggregates (Rock and Sand)

• Portland Cement: The combination of cement and water forms a paste that coats the aggregates and sand in the mix. This paste hardens and binds the materials together, providing strength and durability to the concrete.
• Water: Water is crucial for initiating the hydration process, where the cement reacts chemically to form a solid structure. It also provides workability, making the concrete easier to handle and place.
• Aggregates: The aggregates consist of two types:
  • Sand as the fine aggregate.
  • Gravel or crushed stone as the coarse aggregate.

Desired Properties of Ready Mixed Concrete

To achieve the desired concrete performance, the following properties must be considered:

1. Workability: The concrete mix should be easy to place and consolidate, ensuring smooth application by workers or the contractor.
2. Hardened Concrete Qualities: The final concrete should meet specific requirements, such as:

• Resistance to freezing and thawing
• Deicing chemical resistance
• Watertightness (low permeability)
• Wear resistance
• Strength

1. Economy: The quality of the concrete is influenced by the water-to-cement ratio. To achieve a more cost-effective mix, the water content should be minimized, which in turn reduces the cement requirement and overall cost. Consumers should communicate their project goals with their ready mix supplier to ensure the desired balance between cost and quality.

Tips to Reduce Water and Cement Requirements

To optimize your ready mixed concrete and reduce water and cement needs, follow these steps:

1. Use the strongest mix possible for your project’s requirements.
2. Select the largest aggregates that are practical for your business.
3. Optimize the ratio of fine and coarse aggregates for a balanced, cost-efficient mix.

By following these guidelines, you can ensure that your concrete mix meets both quality and budgetary goals.