The prepared concrete is a concrete that is manufactured in a factory or dosing plant, according to an established recipe, and then delivered to a work site by truck mounted on mixers in transit. This results in a precise mixing, allowing the special concrete mixtures to be developed and implemented at construction sites. The first concrete factory was built in the 1930s, but the industry did not begin to expand significantly until the 1960s, and has continued to grow ever since.
Premixed concrete is often preferred over the in-situ concrete mix because of the mixing precision and reduced confusion in the workplace.
Premixed concrete, or RMC, as it is popularly referred to, refers to concrete that is specifically manufactured for delivery to the customer's construction site in a freshly mixed and non-hardened state. Concrete is a mixture of Portland cement, water and aggregates that comprise sand and gravel or crushed stone. Premixed concrete is purchased and sold by volume - usually expressed in cubic meters (US cubic yards).
The prepared concrete is manufactured under controlled operations and transported and placed on site using sophisticated equipment and methods. In 2011, there were 2,223 companies employing 72,924 workers who produced RMC in the United States.
Advantages of ready mixed concrete:
1. Concrete of guaranteed quality: - Concrete is produced under controlled conditions using constant quality of raw material.
2. High speed of construction - The speed of construction can vary quickly in case RMC is used.
3. Reduction of cement consumption by 10 - 12% due to better handling and proper mixing. Further reduction is possible if mineral mixtures or cementitious materials are used.
4. Versatility in the applications and methods of placement: The concrete mix design can be tailor made to suit the methods of contractor placement.
5. Since Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) uses bulk cement instead of bagged cement, dust contamination will be reduced and cement will be saved.
6. Conservation of energy and resources due to the saving of cement.
7. Environmental pollution is reduced due to lower cement production.
8. With better durability of the structure, its overall useful life increases and there is saving in the cost of the life cycle.
9. Eliminate or minimize human error and reduce dependence on work.
10. Timely deliveries in both large and small.
11. There is no need for space to store materials such as coarse and fine aggregate, cement, water and additives.
12. There is no delay due to installation / dismantling of the site-based dosing plant; There is no equipment to hire; No depreciation of costs.
13. Reduction of noise and air pollution; Lower consumption of gasoline and
Diesel and less waste of time to business.