Ready Mix Concrete Tips: Ready Mix Ordering Tips

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Ready Mix Concrete Tips: Ready Mix Ordering Tips

Learn the basics you need to know before placing an order.
By Juan Rodriguez, About.com Guide

See More About:

concrete

formwork

rebars

aggregates

Ready Mix Concrete Tips

Are you ready to order ready mix concrete? If you think s, then think
twice. You could be ordering the wrong mix design, reducing your
revenues or offering a product that is not the ideal concrete mix
design. Here we have prepared a list of productive tips that you
should know before ordering ready mix concrete.
Ready Mix Concrete Strength
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One of the most important factors before ordering

ready mix concrete is knowing what will be the
required compressive strength. Typically reinforced
concrete ranging between 3,500 to 4,000 psi is used
on footing and slabs on grade; between 3,500 to
5,000 psi on suspended slabs, beams and girders;
walls and columns normally required between 3,000 to
5,000 psi. When non-reinforced concrete is used then
different strengths will be required. If you are using it
on footings and walls a concrete strength of 2,500 psi
could be enough, and between 4,000 to 5,000 for
pavements. Outdoor concrete used on home
improvements should be ordered with a strength
ranging between 3,500 to 4,500 psi.
Ready Mix Concrete Aggregates

The maximum coarse aggregate must also be

specified when ordering ready mix concrete. If you
use larger coarse aggregate in a cross section where
the steel ratio is high, then you should be creating a
bug hole problem. The maximum size coarse
aggregate ordered must be determined by the American Concrete Institute Standard

http://construction.about.com/od/Concrete/a/Ready-Mix-Concrete-Tips-Ready-Mix-Ordering-Tips.htm[6/6/2013 2:18:56 PM]

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Ready Mix Concrete Tips: Ready Mix Ordering Tips

(ACI) and depends on the spacing of reinforcing steel, inside form dimensions and available
aggregates.
Maximum aggregate shall not exceed 1/5 the narrowest inside form dimension and shall not be
greater than the spacing between re-bars.
Ready Mix Concrete Slump
Determine the best slump. Slump is the consistency of the concrete when its being
placed. Slump shall be specified low although it will vary depending on reinforcement spacing,
formwork type and the slope or the place where it will be placed. Slumps are also determined by
ACI standards although we can recommend the following:
Reinforced foundation wall and footings: 2 minimum 5 maximum
Footings, caissons: 1 minimum, 4 maximum
Slabs, beams, building columns and reinforced walls: 3 minimum and 6 maximum
Pavements: 2 minimum and 3 maximum
Heavy Mass Concrete: 1 minimum and 3 maximum
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Ready Mixed concrete is normally ordered by cubic

yards. The typical truck could deliver between 9 to 11
cubic yards maximum capacity although less amounts
could also be ordered. The amount of concrete being
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placed, and the form used. Always allow for some
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wasted concrete that normally will vary between 5 to
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10 percent additional concrete. For a rectangular
placing area multiply length times wide times
thickness, in feet, and divide it by 27. That amount will be the necessary cubic yards of concrete
needed. When using a cylindrical shape, such as a column, measure its height multiply by 3.14,
then by the square of the cylindrical radius, and then divide it by 27.
Other Important Ready Mixed ConcreteTips
Remember to also know if you are using an admixture, specified how far is the job site from the
batch plant, the arrival time of the concrete that you are requesting, the desire spacing of
concrete trucks, specify if you need any fiber or plasticizer, how the concrete is going to be
placed (tailgate, pump, wheelbarrow, etc.), air or non-air mix, total amount of ready mix
ordered, contact person, concrete mix id number, and the purpose of the concrete. Finally inform
the concrete batch plant the conditions of where the ready mix will be placed (slope, incline roof,
limited space, basement, roof, or any relevant information that could affect the progress of the
pour.
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Work Tips

Juan Rodriguez

http://construction.about.com/od/Concrete/a/Ready-Mix-Concrete-Tips-Ready-Mix-Ordering-Tips.htm[6/6/2013 2:18:56 PM]