Readymix

Readymix, or ready-mixed concrete, refers to concrete that is manufactured in a batching plant according to a specific recipe and delivered to a construction site in a freshly mixed state. The mixture is prepared by combining cement, aggregates (sand and gravel or crushed stone), and water, with admixtures added to modify properties such as set time, workability, and strength.

Readymix is produced at a central plant and transported by specialized vehicles, such as transit mixers or truck-mounted concrete pumps. The batching plant uses precise weighing and mixing controls to ensure uniform quality and consistency. Once placed in transit, the concrete should be delivered and placed within its workable time. On-site tasks are minimized, and the need for on-site mixing and batching is reduced.

Applications include foundations, floors, pavements, columns, and other structural elements in residential, commercial, and industrial construction. Readymix can be designed as standard concrete or formulated with performance-based specifications, such as specified strength, low permeability, or enhanced durability. It is commonly used for large projects, precast elements, or sites with limited space for on-site mixing.

Advantages include improved uniformity, quality control, reduced labor and waste, faster construction, and easier pumping and placement. Limitations include sensitivity to delays or poor logistics, requirement for adequate curing and protection, higher transportation costs for distant sites, and environmental considerations in production and washout.

Quality control and standards vary by country but generally involve certified plants, regular testing of concrete properties (slump, air content, strength), and compliance with national or regional specifications such as ASTM C94 in the United States or EN 206 in Europe. The term 'readymix' can also refer to specially formulated mixes, including high-strength, self-consolidating, or environmentally friendly concretes.