Know The Factors Which Impact Your Concrete Mix Design

concrete-mix-design

One of the primary reasons why the demand for reputed concrete suppliers is always quite high is because concrete is one of the most preferred man-made construction materials. It offers the perfect blend of affordability and durability. Just make sure that the material is prepared by mixing cement, aggregates and water in the right quantity. Once the mixture is poured in forms, they cure and become hard like a rock. The workability, strength and durability of concrete are largely dependent on how the mixture is prepared and the method of compaction. But before you start looking for a concrete supplier, know the common concrete mix designs and the factors which impact the design mix of concrete.

concrete mix design

2 Types Of Concrete Mix Design

  • Nominal Mix Concrete

It is a rough method of concrete mix design which works on the principle of ratio or volume. Cement, sand and aggregates are measured before mixing instead of mixing them randomly. A unique feature of nominal mix concrete design is that they don’t require any lab testing. They are used in various parts of the world for ordinary concrete construction where the concrete grade requirement is less than M15. The M20 design mix is used for higher grades. This concrete mix design works on the principle of volumetric batching.

  • Design Mix Concrete

Design mix concrete is more popular than nominal mix concrete as it works on the principles of mix design. Builders choose this variety when they need concrete of desired quality for their construction project. They are even more affordable than the one stated above. Reputed concrete suppliers like Cobra Concrete Ltd. always conduct laboratory testing of the constituents before mixing them.

3 Factors Which Impact The Design Mix Of Concrete

  • Workability Of Concrete

If you are looking for proper placement and compaction of concrete, a few factors you should consider are the spacing and quality of reinforcement, shape and size of the section you want to concrete and how you are transporting and placing the concrete. Quality concrete offers satisfactory placement and compaction of concrete and minimum possible workability. Insufficient workability will have a negative impact on the durability, strength and surface finish of a concrete structure.

design mix concrete

  • Durability Of Concrete

You can stay assured that the concrete you are using is durable if it is resistance to deterioration even in an aggressive environment. Concrete suppliers in Surrey achieve the desired durability by minimising the cement content and grade of concrete and maximising the water cement ratio. Sometimes, chemical and mineral admixtures are also added to the concrete mix to enhance their durability.

  • Grading Of Aggregates

If you are using both coarse and fine aggregates when preparing the concrete mix, ensure proper grading of combined aggregates. The proportion in which they are mixed will impact the material’s strength and workability. Your concrete mix will be leaner if the grading is coarser.

Since you now know the common concrete mix designs and the factors which impact its design, it’s time you start looking for a reputed concrete supplier.

Choose the Perfect Mixing For Your Construction Project

concrete mixing methods surrey

During the old times, when readymade products were still a far-fetched dream, the concrete mix was created with a manually done blend of cement, sand, lime and water. But times have changed, and pre-blended concrete mixes are readily available anytime. But the trick of mixing the right amount of water still lies with the builder.

concrete mixing methods

Understanding the three most important methods

Hand Mixing

The purpose of hand mixing is true to its moniker. It merely involves break the dry material blend into a big enough container, pour the adequate amount of water, and then mix by hand. A stirring tool or jiffy mixer can be used for the blending process. But it is not favoured for large-end constructions for apparent reasons. It is a slow and inconvenient process and is always in a risk of miscalculating the wet-to-dry proportion, resulting in a weaker concoction than expected.

Batch Mixing

Batch mixing is commonly seen in medium-scale constructions for blending of concrete in Surrey. The process is to make several batches of concrete mix in a day’s work by churning the dry blend and water together in a mechanised mixer basin. The amount of mix blended in one turn depends on the size of the mixer. Most commercial ones can make around 8-12 cubic feet of material at once. But it poses a limitation that is similar to hand mixing – the possibility of inadequate or excess amount of water. The measurement of water is done manually, and hence the possibility of a mismatch between two batches of the mix is very much there.

Continuous Mixing

This newer and cutting-edge option involves a mixer machine that takes care of everything, making the element of human error out of the equation. The builder or operator has to pour out the dry material into the hopper and switch on the necessary buttons. A dosing shaft automatically pushes the dry blend into the mixer and then adds pressurised water. The amount of water inflow can be adjusted from outside, which assures proportion accuracy in this method of mixing. It allows the mixture to be consistent, and once it is done, it can be transported to any location required.

Which one to choose?

The decision lies entirely on the nature of the construction. The factors that should determine your choice are:

  • Size of building: Batch mixers serves well for small to medium scale projects, while continuous mixtures are ideal for large scale projects.
  • Portability: Hand mixing is the most portable. Some batch and continuous mixers are qualified for transportation as well, though it requires logistics.
  • Power supply: Batch mixers can operate on a standard plug pin, but continuous mixers need at least a 23-Volt outlet to function. Cobra Concrete is a family-owned supplier of concrete solutions that are sustainable, cost-effective and energy-efficient. With an industry experience of over two decades, they are among the top companies that come to mind when you think of concrete solutions in Surrey.