Concrete, used in construction, is a composite of an aggregate bonded with cement and water. It is a fluid cement that hardens over time. It is the most widely used element after water and is highly used as a building material. The large production of concrete has environmental effects as each production results in greenhouse gas emissions. When aggregate is mixed with cement and water, a slurry is formed that is easily poured and moulded in shape.
The slurry hardens and binds material in durable stone quality. It allows concrete to be cast in forms. Sand, natural gravel, and crushed stones are examples of aggregates. Recycled aggregates are in use more now. Concrete production is time-sensitive. Once all the materials are mixed, concrete should be placed into the area as desired before it hardens.
Concrete comes in two forms: ready-to-mix and central mix. 1) Ready-to-mix has all ingredients included except for water. 2) A central mix mixes all ingredients with water. A central mix allows for more accurate control over the quantity of water added.
Concrete is of low tensile strength and therefore has to be reinforced with materials greater in tension. Concrete is produced from local resources and is mainly manufactured within 100kms of the construction site. As it is the most durable material, it is commonly used as a building material. In addition, it provides fire resistance compared to other materials and gains strength over time. As a result, structures made with concrete have a long-lasting life.
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What is an RMC concrete?
Ready-to-mix concrete (RMC) is a type of concrete that is pre-mixed according to the client specifications at a batch plant. This concrete is delivered to the construction site for immediate use. It’s generally a mixture of Portland or other types of cement, water, and aggregates such as sand, stone, or gravel. Adding an admixture improves the workability of the concrete or increases the setting time. The RMC market is about 650 billion USD.
History of RMC Concrete
As early as 1913 is cited as when ready-to-mix concrete was available. The industry has steadily grown since the 1960s with successful concrete firms. German architect Jurgen Magens patented the technology of concrete mixing off-site and then being transported. He discovered that by cooling and vibrating the concrete, the concrete mixture could be transported over a longer period.
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Design of RMC Concrete
Batch plants are plants that exclusively mix concrete. Batch plants combine the precise amount of sand, water, gravel, and cement as an engineer recommends. It allows special concrete mixtures to develop and be implemented at construction sites. Cement is the most pertinent ingredient as it leads to concrete resistance, whereas water creates a chemical reaction when it comes in contact with cement. The aggregates comprise 60-70% of the mix and are obtained from quarries or aggregate banks. Solid or liquid additives are introduced to the mix before or during the preparation. It helps with improving the concrete’s durability or shortening its setting time. The ingredients are all procured individually and then mixed in the proportions specified. During this mixing phase, the combination of the components makes a uniform concrete mass. Utmost care is taken during the mixing time, especially with pouring water or other material into the cement mixer, and the mixer begins its rotations. While being transferred to the site, the mixer does not stop moving, moving two to six rotations per minute.
The delivery of RMC is completed via two methods:
- Concrete Transit Mixers: This truck delivers concrete in a plastic state to the construction site.
- Ready-to-mix bag: The concrete delivery is in a dry state, and the mixing happens within the construction site.
Each project has its requirement for how much RMC is needed. The sale of RMC is in volumes expressed in cubic metres. The use of admixtures alters the performance of RMC.
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Uses of RMC concrete
RMC has many uses as follows:
- Civil engineering works and structures
- Building Projects
- Road and systems development
Further examples include the building of tunnels, concrete for retainment, trenches, bridges, walls, piles, columns, high-rise buildings, and much more.
Both small to medium-sized projects to large-projects benefit from the use of RMC. For small projects, hiring equipment and getting materials is difficult. Hence, investing in RMC is worthwhile. For large-sized projects, RMC is outsourced to experts, thus ensuring quality.
Advantages of RMC concrete
The advantages are numerous.
- Materials are delivered to the construction site in the desired quantity.
- The concrete is produced in controlled conditions, ensuring all materials’ quality and strict control testing.
- Lower costs as there is no expenditure on buying and storing materials
- Eco-friendly as there is a reduction in wastage of materials
- Time-saving as concrete is mixed off-site.
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Benefits of RMC from a real estate perspective
- The benefits of using RMC Concrete are numerous. The first and most obvious is that it will save you money on contractors, who typically charge a premium for their services.
- Another benefit of using RMC is that it will make your home look better. Because RMC is made from recycled materials, it has a cleaner appearance than other types of concrete. It means you’ll be able to add new features without worrying about how they’ll look against the old ones.
- Finally, RMC is an excellent choice for people with allergies or asthma because the dust created by mixing and placing the concrete will not be present in the finished product.
Conclusion
Ready-to-mix concrete allows ample amounts of concrete away from the construction site. It is practical in cities where the demand for concrete is high and construction sites are in congested areas where mixing is impossible. RMC is highly suitable for dams, tunnels, roads, bridges, and other mass constructions. RMC is preferred as it is delivered in precise measurements and helps with speedy construction. In addition, it decreases labour, costs in supervising, and project time.
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FAQs
How to calculate how much RMC is required?
As each project has its requirements, RMC is sold in volumes measured as cubic metres. Architects, builders, or engineers associated with the project will estimate the amount required. Additionally, one can access an online calculator to help calculate the desired amount of RMC for construction.
How to prepare to work with RMC?
Even though RMC is pre-prepared, it is essential to prepare the construction site for the arrival of RMC. One should ensure there is a place to store the prepared mixture. Also, necessary tools and clothing should be available when handling the concrete.
How can one ensure a sufficient supply of RMC?
One should measure the formwork accurately and order sufficient quantities. One should plan a 2% allowance for large pores to account for waste and increased thickness. Additionally, the remaining volume should be measured and informed to the RMC supplier for large pores.
What is the curing period for ready-mix cement?
Curing is the primary step with concrete. A cured RMC is robust, resistant to chemical attack, and more watertight. Furthermore, this fixed concrete is harsh and lasts longer. The curing process takes around fifteen days.
How does one ascertain the quality of Ready Mix Concrete?
Only after extensive laboratory trials is RMC supplied. Furthermore, to ensure good quality, the raw materials are frequently tested.
