Ready Mix Concrete Process
Ready-Mix Concrete is a major part of any concrete construction project. It is a convenient and efficient tool for building. The concrete is delivered to the site mixed and ready to be cast which saves time and money.
There are two types of ready-mix plants :
- A central mixing plant uses a stationary mixer to mix the concrete. The concrete is then transferred into the transportation vehicle.
A truck mixing plant places all unmixed dry materials into a truck mixer. Water is added and mixing is then done in the truck.
Many central mix plants have the ability to bypass the stationary mixer, thus making them a hybrid of the two types.
- Besides a few small exceptions, all mixing plants have the same basic layout. The plants consist of aggregate storage, cement/pozzolan storage, batchers (aggregate batching, cement batching, water and admixture batching), dust collection system, feed system, and some sort of mixer (truck mixer or stationary mixer). Due to modern technology, the ready-mix plant can be operated from a remote location. A batch operator uses video equipment and computer systems to control the crucial areas of the plant.
- The process of producing concrete in measured batches is called batching. Every ready-mix concrete plant uses this process to produce their concrete. Weigh Batching uses a hopper and a scale to batch all of the dry materials. The scale gives a readout of the weight of material in the hopper. Due to its consistent nature, water can be batched by weigh batching or volumetric batching.
DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SMC & RMC
PARTICULARS
SITE MIX CONCRETE (SMC)
READY MIX CONCRETE (RMC)
- PRODUCTION
Raw Material
Near Mixer at Site
At Batching Plant
Weighing
Manual
Computerised
Moisture Control
Approximate
Lab Controlled
W/C ratio
Manual(Approx)
Computerised
Dosing Of Admixtures
Manual(Approx)
Computerised
Mixing
Tilting Mixer
Non Tilting Single Shaft Mixer
Discharge
Platform
Transit Mixer / Pump
Rate
6 Cmt. Per. Hr.
30 Cmt. Per. Hr.
- QUALITY
Degree Of Control
Fair
Excellent
Yield
Varaible
Consistent
Testing Of Fresh Concrete
Once in 25 Batches
Every Batch
- RAW MATERIAL
Selection / Sourcing
Depending On Availability
Pre Determined Sources
Testing
Random
Regular
Storage
Multi Location
Single Point
Storage Space Requirement
Large
Limited & Compact
- DELIVERY
Mode
Manual
Transit Mixer
- PLACING
Mode
Manual / Hoist / Crane
Concrete Pump
Rate
5 Cmt. Per Hr.
30 Cmt. Per. Hr.
