This post was contributed by a community member. The views expressed here are the author's own.

Community Corner

How to Mix Ready Mix Concrete?

Ready mix concrete is the first choice for projects requiring concrete. The term “ready mix” is used to describe a process where concrete is pre-made at a plant and delivered in batches to job sites. Each batch of ready mix concrete is specially created per the requirements of the contractor. The ready mix concrete is prepared with the basic ingredients of water, cement, and aggregates. The mixture is delivered to the construction site and must be used right away.

Concrete mixer trucks deliver the pre-made mixture and there is no further preparation necessary; it’s ready to go at the job site. Ready mix concrete is the preferred choice for both small and large projects and is the ideal solution to different working challenges.

On the job, there are different situations that benefit from ready mix concrete. Whether small or large quantities are needed, ready mix concrete is the most efficient and cost effective solution asphalt paving and other concrete projects.

Ready mix concrete is a mixture that arrives on the job site in a “ready” state and the advantages over the traditional concrete mixing include the obvious convenience and speed.

The ready mixtures may vary slightly in composition, but three categories are standard: 

- Central-mixed concrete: At the plant, this concrete is thoroughly mixed and then transported to the job site in a concrete mixer truck. 

- Truck-mixed concrete: This type of concrete is mixed en route to the job site. All the ingredients to the concrete mixture are weighed and batched or discharged into a concrete mixer truck where they are mixed until a uniform consistency is produced. The concrete mixer truck then delivers the mixture to the project site.  

- Shrink-mixed concrete: At the plant, this concrete is only partially mixed. This allows for a reduction, or shrinking, of the total volume of concrete mixture. It permits a controlled measurement of the concrete. Final mixing of the cement and ingredients occurs either en route or on the actual job site.

Ready mix concrete is the most commonly used form of concrete. The mixture is created at the plant and delivered to contractors for pouring, which saves time on the job. Ready mix concrete is the preferred choice in most working environments.

We’ve removed the ability to reply as we work to make improvements. Learn more here

The views expressed in this post are the author's own. Want to post on Patch?