Ready-mix concrete has transformed the construction industry with a building solution that is fast, easy, and readily available. Ready-mix concrete was introduced back in the 1930s and since has become one of the most popular construction materials in the world. Today, it is produced under the supervision of experts to match the specific needs and preferences of clients. If you want to order ready mix concrete delivery, you should know there are several different types. The decision is based on the type and nature of the task. Let’s talk about it in detail and discuss the benefits as well for you to make up your mind.
What Are The Different Types Of Ready-Mix Concrete?
Before we dive into discussing the benefits of ready-mix concrete along with other important information, it is necessary for you to be aware of the different types of ready-mix concrete. There are different types of ready-mix concrete based on the quality, additives, and ingredients used.
Standard Ready-Mix Concrete
The most popular type happens to be the standard ready-mix concrete. It’s popular because used for both construction and repair projects. This type of concrete is mostly prepared at the manufacturing plant and is delivered to the site within hours or a few days depending on when the order was given.
High-Strength Concrete
High-strength concrete as the term suggests is a type that is specifically made to withstand high pressure and is often used in projects like bridges and tall buildings. The reason is that such projects are significantly influenced by winds at higher altitudes and can even become damaged due to strong winds and extreme weather conditions.
So, the high-strength concrete ensures that the structures remain intact and do not endanger the lives of people in the surroundings.
Self-Compacting Concrete
Self-compacting concrete is made in such a way that it flows easily into tight spaces and does not need vibration. This makes it an excellent choice for complex structures.
Fiber-Reinforced Concrete
Another type of ready-mix concrete is fiber-reinforced concrete containing fibers to enhance the durability of concrete due to this, cracks form less quickly that other types.
Rapid-Set Concrete
And, finally, you have the accelerated set concrete that contains chemicals helping to speed up the curing process. This type of ready-mix concrete is mostly used for projects on tight schedules. For instance, if there is a repair or construction task that needs to be done within a month, you can easily get it done using the accelerated set concrete.
What Are The Benefits Of Using Ready-Mix Concrete?
One of the reasons ready-mix concrete happens to be extremely popular around the world is due to the benefits it offers. It has several advantages over traditional site-mixed concrete when it comes to both quality and efficiency.
Consistent Quality
The biggest advantage of ready-mix concrete is consistent quality. As mentioned earlier, the manufacturing process of ready-mix concrete is done at a facility. This means the concrete is produced in a controlled environment with experts overlooking the process and ensuring the results are consistent each time.
Time Efficiency
Another noteworthy benefit of using ready-mix concrete is time efficiency. Since it does not need to be prepared on-site, it saves you a lot of time and effort, especially for large-scale construction projects. The concrete simply arrives ready to pour and all you need to do is get the team working on it as soon as it arrives
Reduced Waste
Furthermore, ready-mix concrete is precisely made to order, which helps reduce the waste that is produced as a byproduct of the manufacturing and preparation process. Since the estimates are accurate and precise, there is no need for wastage of cement that could be harmful to the environment.
Versatility
Ready-mix concrete is also a highly versatile concrete type as well. The manufacturer can change the quantity and type of additives or ingredients depending on what or how you expect the concrete to perform.
This is because some clients wish to prefer strength while others opt for durability. So, ready-mix concrete serves all customers with different sets of needs and preferences. You can communicate your requirements to the supplier when ordering concrete mix delivery Gaithersburg.
What Are The Applications Of Ready-Mix Concrete?
Now that we have discussed the benefits of ready-mix concrete, it is time to shift our attention to the applications of ready-mix concrete as well. This is important as it will help you become aware about the type of tasks ready-mix concrete can be used for.
Residential Buildings
To begin with, ready-mix concrete is widely used for residential buildings, particularly in the construction of homes and foundations and also patios and driveways. This is because ready-mix concrete does not take too much time to manufacture and is able to withstand heavy traffic and external factors.
Commercial And Industrial Structures
Ready-mix concrete is also used for commercial and industrial structures since commercial buildings tend to contain floors, apartments, and various sections. Ready-mix concrete in that regard is the best choice as it suits every need and purpose.
Architectural Projects
Finally, ready-mix concrete is also used for architectural projects. Some architects have a very particular taste, while others experiment and come up with new ideas. These ideas when turned into reality can be extremely expensive. To make sure they are stable and durable enough, architects normally use ready-mix concrete to make sure built quality is top-notch.
What Are The Best Practices For Using Ready-Mix Concrete?
To ensure ready-mix concrete is used the right way and the success of the project, certain factors should be kept in mind.
The first and most important thing is proper planning and scheduling. The timing of the ready-mix concrete is crucial. The reason is that ready-mix concrete needs to be dealt with as soon as it arrives at the site. There is not much time for it to remain inside the truck as it will dry quickly.
This means that you need to make a proper schedule with the supplier to ensure you remove any obstacles and get the team ready for the delivery. Moreover, you will also need to prepare the pouring location. The last thing you would want is the entire batch poured on an uncleaned and level surface leading to quality issues down the road.
In addition to that, you should also monitor the weather conditions before placing an order. Extreme weather conditions such as hot or cold temperatures affect the concrete curing process. In cold weather conditions, additives are used to speed up the drying process.
But, in hot weather, experts might have to adjust the water content to prevent the concrete from drying too quickly.
Conclusion
Ready-mix concrete is a popular building material. There is hardly any serious downside to using ready-mix concrete but you have to be a bit smart and careful. If you were to keep the information mentioned above in mind and plan everything accordingly, you are sure to pick the right best option and make all the right moves. It’s also important to choose a reputable ready mix concrete supplier Rockville for quality assurance and timely delivery.