Ready mix concrete is a tailor-made
concrete which improves durability and sustainability. Instead of purchasing
the raw materials by individuals and experimenting every time with handling and
proportioning, it would be far better idea to entrust all these activities to
some expert supplier who is having a professional acumen.
Advantages of Ready Mixed
Concrete:
- Quality assured concrete:- Concrete is produced
under controlled conditions using consistent quality of raw material.
- High speed of construction- Speed of construction
can be vary fast in case RMC is used.
- Reduction in cement consumption by 10 – 12 % due to
better handling and proper mixing. Further reduction is possible if
mineral admixtures or cementitious materials are used.
- Versatility in uses and methods of placing: The mix
design of the concrete can be tailor made to suit the placing methods of
the contractor.
- Since ready mixed concrete (RMC) uses bulk cement
instead of bagged cement, dust pollution will be reduced and cement will
be saved.
- Conservation of energy and resources because of
saving of cement.
- Environment pollution is reduced due to less
production of cement.
- With better durability of structure, their overall
service life increase and there is saving in life-cycle cost.
- Eliminating or minimizing human error and reduction
in dependency on labour.
- Timely deliveries in large as well as small pours.
- No need for space for storing the materials like
coarse and fine aggregate, cement, water and admixtures.
- No delay due to site based batching plant erection/
dismantling; no equipment to hire; no depreciation of costs.
- Reduced noise and air pollution; less consumption of petrol and diesel and less time loss to business.
Limitations of Ready Mix Concrete:
As the Ready Mixed Concrete is not available for
placement immediately after preparation of concrete mix, loss of
workability occurs. In addition, there are chances of setting of concrete
if transit time involved is more. Therefore, generally admixture like
plasticisers/ super plasticisers and retarders are used. Addition of
retarders may delay the setting time substantially which may cause
placement problems. In addition, it may also affect the strength of
concrete. Therefore, it is necessary that the admixtures i.e. plasticisers
and super plasticisers/ retarders used in Ready Mixed Concrete are
properly tested for their suitability with the concrete. In case loss of
strength is observed, the characteristic strength may have to be enhanced
so that after loss of strength, required characteristic strength is
available.
Because of large quantity of concrete
available in short span, special placing and form work arrangement are required
to be made in advance.