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How is ready mix concrete delivered?
09th September 2020 Due to its volatile nature, concrete has always had meticulous methods and ways of being delivered, and ready mix concrete is no exception. Read on to find out how ready mix concrete is delivered.
At the mixing site
Ready mix concrete typically travels from it starting point at the mixing site to its final destination in a mixer truck. Mixer trucks are used especially for concrete mix because this vehicle has a rotating mixer drum which is usually set at an angle, and inside this mixer drum is a set of fins that are set up in a spiral configuration – allowing the concrete to load and mix when the drum rotates in one direction and to discharge when it goes the other way.
Transportation
Mixer trucks keep ready mix concrete at the right consistency after it has been mixed at its original starting point, however sometimes they even sometimes do all the mixing while delivering. This solves the problem of premature hardening or slump loss that can result from delays between mixing and transportation. It also allows concrete to be hauled to sites which are quite a distance away from the starting point. When this needs to occur, the concrete is mixed and loaded, then taken to the job site with the drum rotating at between 2 and 6 rotations per minute, which helps to make sure that it remains at optimum consistency when it arrives at the job site.
The drums on mixer trucks are designed to be filled at between 60 and 80 percent capacity, depending whether the drum is acting as mixer or agitator. If the ready mix concrete isn’t transported in time or is exposed to significant temperature changes, it may experience a change in consistency, in which case more water can be added if the consistency becomes too thick. As a general rule of thumb, ready mix concrete should be discharged within 90 minutes and before 300 revolutions after water was added, unless the purchaser specifies otherwise.
Offloading
The truck specifications are Important factors to consider when delivering ready mix concrete, and this may depend on the location its destination, and how easy it is to get the truck in and out of the drop-off site. For example, a smaller 4-wheel mixer truck is likely to be able to fit into tighter spots and harder to reach places than their larger counterparts.
Ensuring a smooth delivery
Now that we’ve explained how ready mix concrete is delivered - its important to note the significance of ensuring a smooth ready mix concrete delivery if you are expecting one. We’ve previously created a list and explanation of the factors you will need to consider if you are expecting a ready mix delivery, you can check it out here.
If you’re looking for a fast and efficient concrete delivery service, contact Wright Readymix today! Our team has years of experience preparing and delivering quality concrete for a range of different projects, from small DIY endeavours to large scale commercial builds. Simply call 0117 958 2090 or complete and submit our online contact form and we’ll be in touch soon.