Crews working in construction and concrete understand that ready mix truck drums are indispensable for their livelihood. These drums are more than just tools; they are the lifeblood of their work. Also, a deep understanding of their mechanics, the materials it mixes, and the proper maintenance techniques are second nature to these experts. From keeping the concrete fresh to concrete chipping, you depend on your ready mix concrete truck drums to efficiently execute your crew’s tasks. However, make sure you are consistently maintaining the drums to maximize their longevity.
Optimize Your Concrete Pours: Plan and Utilise Wisely
Efficient planning is what you need when it comes to the concrete for your company’s projects. Avoiding unnecessary excess is essential, as it leads to wastage and additional work later on. Further, collaborate closely with your crew members to calculate precisely the amount of concrete required for the job.
After completing the pour, evaluate what remains inside the drum and use this information to fine-tune your future calculations. If you don’t know how to determine the optimal amount, suppose exploring alternative approaches to improve your concrete pours.
Protect Your Drums with Chemical Drum Ready Mix Concrete Cleaner
Avoid the chance of chipping by leaving it to the professionals. However, as a responsible drum owner, you can play a part in keeping your ready mixed concrete drums in good condition. Also, one useful approach is to use chemical drum cleaners, which offer a cost-efficient way to prevent excessive buildup. Besides, working with these cleaners is straightforward.
It’s important to remember that chemical cleaners are just one aspect of drum maintenance. Regular chipping schedules should still be adhered to in order to maintain smooth functioning for longer.
Keep Your Concrete Moving: Avoid Unwanted Settling
Ready mix concrete truck drums should always be in motion but for a good reason. Besides, allowing the mixed concrete to sit idle for extended periods can lead to unwanted consequences. The concrete may start to separate or set, causing imbalances in the drum. Further, this can result in:
- Excess weight
- Reduced carrying capacity
- Unnecessary wear and tear on your equipment
To prevent such issues, mix materials while en route to your worksite and keep the drum moving throughout the journey.
The Purpose of a Rotating Drum in a Ready Mix Concrete Truck
We’ve all seen these trucks on the road, with their drum mixer spinning as they travel to their destination. But have you ever wondered why this rotation is essential?
The main reason behind the rotating drum is to maintain that the concrete mix remains well-blended and ready for immediate use at the job site. Also, concrete is composed of three primary ingredients:
- Portland cement
- Aggregate (sand or crushed rock)
- Water
To achieve the desired strength and appearance of the poured concrete, thorough mixing is paramount. The drum of a ready mix truck is equipped with internal blades that continuously move and blend the material as needed. Additionally, these blades also aid in dispensing the concrete when it’s time to pour. This means that the concrete is ready to be poured as soon as the truck arrives at the job site:
- Eliminating delays
- Saving valuable time
How Different Blends Affect Concrete Mixing Drums
We’ve previously discussed the importance of properly mixing concrete components during transportation. However, specific ingredients and ratios used can have various impacts on your mixing drums beyond the need for rotation.
Consider the Aggregates
Aggregates are one of the three major ingredients in traditional concrete blends. And they can vary significantly from one mix to another, depending on geographic locations. Areas using harder aggregates, like trap rock, experience more wear and tear on their drums compared to those using softer stones, like sand. The drum’s primary purpose is to incorporate aggregates into the blend. So, harder stones have a higher potential for causing damage.
Understanding Hydration Effects
The moisture content in the concrete blend:
- Facilitates easier pouring
- Reduces friction along the drum’s walls
Think of it like adding oil to a baking recipe to make stirring and scraping easier. Dry, lower-slump concretes can be harsher on the mixing drum, often leaving more material behind after pouring. Besides, it’s important to note that there’s no one-size-fits-all concrete blend for all projects or mixing drums. The key is to select a concrete mix that suits the specific job at hand, resulting in a strong and visually appealing finished product.
Regardless of the concrete blend chosen, ongoing maintenance keeps your drum mixers in optimal condition. Further, concrete chipping appointments every three months are recommended by experts. Taking care of cement silo cleaning and central mixer cleaning during these appointments can prevent the following:
- Costly repairs
- Recurring replacements associated with neglected maintenance.
Calculating the Coverage Rate for Concrete Mix
You need this when preparing a bid for any construction project involving concrete. The coverage rate refers to the volume of concrete needed to cover the intended surface area. Besides, the concrete mix comprises specific amounts of sand, gravel, and water. Yet, it’s essential not to overstate the coverage rate. This could lead to unnecessary waste production.
- One can look into past formulations of concrete used in the local area for accurate calculations. Residential projects need to use PCC (Portland Cement Concrete). Besides, it can be combined with fill materials like gravel or crushed stone.
- On the other hand, PSI or PCS (Portland Slag Concrete) is a better option for commercial projects, as it requires less preparation and offers superior compressive strength.
When using ready-mix concrete, contractors must consider several factors, with the coverage rate being one of the most necessary aspects. Contractors with no experience in layering concrete should opt for a higher coverage rate than those with experience.
Conclusion
We believe that the information provided above has provided some clarity regarding ready mix drums and concrete. When evaluating a specific concrete mix for a construction project, you need to be aware of the following:
- All the different strength properties of that mix
- The capabilities of the equipment you are utilising
Having a comprehensive understanding of these characteristics and knowing which property contributes to the best outcomes is what you need to make a good name for yourself.