Ready mix concrete, or RMC, has revolutionised the modern construction industry, by providing a consistent, efficient, and high-quality solution for various construction projects. Its adaptability and steady performance make it a popular choice among experts of building construction, in India and around the globe. In this article, we’ll delve into what ready-mix concrete is, explore the benefits of ready-mix concrete, limitations of ready-mix concrete and uses of ready-mix concrete.
What is RMC Ready Mix Concrete?
As the name suggests, ready-mix or batching concrete is a type of concrete that is manufactured in a factory or batching plant and ready to be placed on the construction site. The ready-made concrete is made according to a set concrete mix design under standard conditions they contain high-strength and High-Performance Concrete. This form of concrete guarantees increased durability and sustainability. Because the task is performed by an expert and in the controlled environment the resulting mixture is exact and of higher quality. This concrete manufacturing technology may also efficiently produce special concrete combinations.
Process of Making Ready-Made Concrete:
Ready mix concrete contains cement, aggregates, sand, water, and other chemicals that are weighed at a centrally located plant to ensure high quality. Concrete is then brought to the construction site in transit mixers. This ready-mix concrete can be used immediately without further treatment. To create high-quality concrete, the autonomous plant precisely regulates weigh-batching, water-cement ratio, additive dosage, and moisture content. All ingredients used in the production of ready mix concrete are rigorously evaluated for quality in a well-equipped laboratory attached to the plant to ensure compliance with applicable standard codes. Trial mixes are created and tested to ensure that each batch of concrete leaving the plant conforms with various mix designs based on the client’s specifications for various grades of concrete.
Benefits of Ready Mix Concrete:
The following are the benefits of ready-mix concrete:
- Consistency and High Quality:
One of the major benefits of ready-mix concrete is that every batch of concrete is consistent and uniform. Because it is manufactured in a controlled atmosphere with accurate measurements, the concrete’s uniformity and quality are maintained. This ensures that each batch of concrete fits the project’s precise specifications, resulting in a consistent and reliable concrete mix.
- Less Wastage of Raw Materials:
The production of RMC minimizes the chances of over-mixing or under-mixing of concrete mix, which often happens in the cases of mixed on-site concrete. Because the concrete is produced to the engineer’s or client’s specifications, only accurate measurements are used, implying there is a minimum waste of materials. Better handling and mixing practices will help to cut cement wastage. A bulk amount of cement is utilised while making ready-made concrete, which reduces the need for cement sacks, thus reducing the wastage of cement.
- Time and Labour Efficiency:
In traditional concrete mixing, the labourers have to wait for the concrete to be mixed before placing it. Employing ready-mix concrete in construction can eliminate the need to wait for the concrete to be mixed, as it comes in the final form directly from the batching plant. Choosing ready-mix concrete can also minimize delays incurred by installing and dismantling any onsite concrete mixing machinery, reducing the labour requirement for concrete mixing.
- Space Saving on site:
If RMC is used for a construction project, there is no need for space for storage of raw materials on site, if RMC is employed for construction. Also, the need for erecting a batching plant on the site is eliminated.
- Environmental Benefits:
Due to the high precision in making RMC, less cement is required than traditional mix on-site concrete. This helps lower the carbon footprint of cement production and the environmental impact.
- Customisation:
Ready-mix concrete can be customized to fit the exact requirements of any project. The mix can be modified to offer the required strength, durability, and workability for a residential, commercial, or industrial building.
Limitations of Ready Mix Concrete
The following are the limitations of ready-mix concrete:
- Transport Limitations:
The quality of RMC can be affected by transport time, as traffic during transportation can lead to its hardening. To maintain the quality of the concrete mix, concrete needs to be used usually within 1-2 hours after mixing.
- Expensive as Compared to Mix On-Site Concrete:
While RMC can be cost-effective in terms of time and labour, it may be more expensive than traditional on-site mixing. The cost can vary based on factors such as distance from the plant, type of concrete, and delivery charges.
- Dependency on Suppliers:
Contractors depend on suppliers for the delivery of ready-made concrete. RMC requires coordination with suppliers for timely delivery. Any delays or issues with the supplier can impact the progress of construction work. Also, the contractor has less control over the mixing process compared to on-site mixing, so any issues with the mix need to be addressed with the supplier.
Uses of Ready Mix Concrete
Here are some of the popular uses of ready-mix concrete:
- RMC is widely utilized in residential construction as well as in the construction of commercial structures.
- One of the major uses of ready mix concrete is in construction of infrastructure projects, including bridges, roads, and airports, due to its ease of customisation to make high performance concrete.
- RMC can be mixed with various additives to make special types of concrete, such as high-strength concrete or self compacting concrete
Price of Ready Mix Concrete:
The ready-mix concrete price per m3 generally varies from ₹4000 to ₹6500 and depends on the following factors.
- The RMC price per m3 varies according to the type and grade of concrete used and the distance between the concrete batching plant and the construction site.
- The standard concrete may cost less than high-strength concrete.
- The distance between the concrete batching plant and the construction site directly affects transportation costs.
- The ready mix concrete price per m3 in urban areas might be higher due to transportation costs and more demand of RMC.
- The price of ready made concrete can fluctuate based on market conditions also, so it’s advisable to obtain accurate price from local suppliers.
Conclusion
Due to its consistency, ready-mix concrete has become a crucial component of the construction industry. Its ease of customisation makes RMC, a popular choice among construction experts around the globe. Quality control is essential in the production of RMC since it must be combined with additives and transported to other locations. As the benefits of ready-mix concrete outweigh its limitations, RMC has become a popular choice for large construction projects. Hope this article has deepened your understanding of factors that govern ready-made concrete, which might help you make better selections for your construction project.