Ready Mix Concrete Is Batched At A Concrete Plant And Delivered To The Project As Fresh Concrete. A Successful Pour Depends On More Than Ordering The Right Cubic Metres. Mix Specification, Site Access, Truck Timing, Pumping, Placement Speed, Workability, Finishing And Curing All Need To Be Considered Before The First Truck Arrives.
Ready-Mixed Concrete Moves Through A Controlled Chain Of Batching, Transport, Placement, Finishing And Curing.
Confirm The Required Concrete Mix, strength, exposure, slump and any project-specific requirements.
The Plant Measures Cementitious Materials, water, aggregates and admixtures in controlled quantities.
The Ingredients Are Combined To Produce Uniform Fresh Concrete.
Agitating Trucks Transport Fresh Concrete To The Job Site.
Concrete Is Discharged Directly, By Chute, By Pump Or Through Another Planned Placement Method.
The Crew Deposits And Spreads Concrete Without Unnecessary Delay Or Segregation.
The Surface Is Screeded, floated, trowelled, broomed or textured as required.
The Concrete Is Protected So Hydration And Strength Development Can Continue.
Ready-Mix Concrete Is Produced At A Batching Plant, Transported In A Truck And Then Placed Into The Prepared Work Area.
Ready Mix Concrete Is Concrete Produced At A Central Batching Plant And Delivered To The Construction Site While It Is Still Fresh. The materials are measured in controlled proportions, mixed and transported in an agitator truck so the concrete arrives ready for placement.
Ready Mix Is Commonly Used For Slabs, driveways, footings, walls, columns, paths and larger concrete pours because it allows a planned quantity of fresh concrete to be delivered directly to the work area.
The Plant Measures The Required Cementitious Materials, water, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and admixtures according to the specified mix. Modern batching plants use weighing and control systems to improve consistency between loads.
Fresh Concrete Is Commonly Carried In A Rotating Drum Truck. The drum agitates the concrete during transport. The objective is to maintain uniformity and deliver the material in a condition suitable for placement.
Before Ordering Ready-Mix Concrete, Confirm The Required Volume, concrete specification, site address, access conditions, placement method, pour start time and any special project requirements. If a concrete pump is needed, coordinate the pump and concrete delivery schedule together.
Ready Mix Concrete Is Commonly Ordered By Cubic Metre. For A Simple Slab, multiply length by width by thickness in metres. Complex projects should be broken into separate shapes so each volume can be checked before the total is added.
Concrete Volume (m³) = Length (m) × Width (m) × Thickness (m)
Slump Is A Measure Used To Assess The Consistency Of Fresh Concrete. It relates to how workable the concrete is, but slump is not the same as concrete strength. The required slump should match the mix specification and placement method.
Uncontrolled Water Addition Can Change The Intended concrete mix. If workability adjustment is required, follow the supplier's approved procedure or project specification rather than adding water simply because the concrete appears stiff.
A Concrete Truck Is Large And Heavy. Before Delivery, Check driveway width, turning space, overhead clearance, ground bearing capacity, gates, power lines and the distance from the truck to the pour. Poor access can change the placement method or require pumping.
A Concrete Pump Can Move Fresh Concrete From The Truck To Areas That Are Difficult To Reach By Chute. Pump selection depends on distance, height, access and the concrete mix. Pump setup space and hose or boom positioning should be planned before trucks arrive.
Where Access Allows, Concrete May Be Discharged Directly From The Truck Chute. This can be efficient for accessible slabs and footings, but the truck must be able to reach the placement point safely without damaging the site.
Larger Pours May Need Several Trucks. Delivery intervals should match the crew's placement speed so one truck is not waiting excessively while another arrives too late. Poor sequencing can create delays and make finishing more difficult.
Fresh Concrete Should Be Deposited As Close As Practical To Its Final Position. Excessive dragging, rehandling or long drops can encourage segregation. The crew should be ready before the first truck arrives.
Depending On The Element, Vibration Or Other compaction methods may be used to reduce entrapped air and help concrete fully surround reinforcement and fill formwork.
Screeding Brings A Slab Surface To The Planned level and profile. Good screeding depends on accurate forms, level control and suitable concrete consistency.
After Screeding, The Surface May Be Floated, trowelled, broomed or textured depending on the required finish. The finishing sequence should match the project and weather conditions.
Concrete Shrinks As It Dries. Control joints are used to encourage cracking at planned locations. Joint layout, timing and depth should be coordinated with slab thickness and geometry.
Curing Begins After Placement And Finishing. It helps maintain conditions that support cement hydration and property development. The curing method should suit the concrete, weather and project requirements.
High Temperature, Wind And Low Humidity Can Increase evaporation and reduce available finishing time. In hot weather, the crew may need to plan delivery, placement and curing carefully to protect the fresh concrete.
Low Temperatures Can Slow Setting And Strength development. Very cold conditions may require special measures. Follow supplier and project guidance for cold-weather placement.
Rain Can Affect Fresh Concrete Surfaces And Finishing. Weather forecasts and site protection should be considered before the pour. Surface water should not be worked into fresh concrete.
This Guide Does Not Specify A Concrete Mix, structural strength, slump, reinforcement or curing system for a particular project. Use the project specification, current supplier information and qualified advice where required.
A Well-Planned Pour Reduces Delays, Confusion And Unnecessary Concrete Handling.
Confirm The Concrete Volume And Any Appropriate Ordering Allowance.
Confirm The Correct Mix, strength, slump and project requirements.
Check Truck, pump, chute and crew access before delivery.
Have Forms, reinforcement, tools and curing materials ready before the first load.
Clear Ordering Information Helps Reduce Delivery Problems And Mix Confusion.
| Order Item | What To Confirm | Why It Matters | Who Usually Provides It |
|---|---|---|---|
| Concrete Volume | Total cubic metres required | Controls delivered quantity | Estimator / contractor |
| Concrete Specification | Required mix and strength details | Ensures correct concrete is supplied | Project documents |
| Slump | Required fresh concrete consistency | Affects placement method | Specification / supplier |
| Delivery Time | First truck arrival and truck spacing | Coordinates crew and pump | Contractor / supplier |
| Site Access | Truck and pump access limitations | Determines discharge method | Site team |
| Placement Method | Chute, pump or other planned method | Affects logistics and equipment | Contractor |
| Weather | Heat, rain, wind or cold risk | Affects placement and curing | Site team |
Ready-Mixed Concrete And Site-Mixed Concrete Both Produce Concrete, But The Production Method Is Different. Ready mix is batched at a plant and delivered fresh, while site mixing measures and combines the materials at the project location.
| Feature | Ready Mix Concrete | Site-Mixed Concrete |
|---|---|---|
| Batching | Central batching plant | At or near the project |
| Delivery | Agitator truck | No truck delivery of fresh concrete required |
| Typical Use | Medium and large pours | Small or limited-access jobs |
| Quantity | Ordered in cubic metres | Mixed in smaller batches |
| Consistency Control | Plant-controlled batching | Depends heavily on site measurement and mixing |
| Site Logistics | Truck access and timing important | Material storage and mixing space important |
Under-Ordering Can Cause A Costly Short Load Or Delay, while over-ordering creates waste and disposal problems. Measure the actual geometry carefully.
A Concrete Truck May Not Be Able To Reach The Pour Area. If access is uncertain, plan a pump or other placement method before delivery.
Concrete Strength, slump and other properties should match the project specification. Do not assume one mix is appropriate for every slab, footing or driveway.
Uncontrolled Water Addition Can Change The supplied concrete. Workability adjustments should follow the supplier's approved process or project requirements.
Ready-Mix Concrete Arrives On A Delivery Schedule. If the crew cannot place and finish it efficiently, truck waiting time and quality risks can increase.
The Pour Is Not Finished When The Surface Looks Complete. Curing is part of the construction process and should be planned in advance.
Use Related Resources When You Need To Estimate Concrete Quantity, Cost Or Placement Requirements.
Estimate Cubic Metres For Slabs, Footings And Other Common Shapes.
Apply Your Own Concrete Rate And Project Cost Allowances.
Review Cement, Sand And Aggregate Quantity From User-Entered Mix Assumptions.
Understand The Main Cost Drivers For Concrete Pumping And Site Access.
Review Driveway Thickness, base support, reinforcement and joints.
Browse Australian Concrete Calculators, Converters And Practical Guides.
Simple Answers About Ready-Mixed Concrete, Ordering, Trucks, Pumps, Slump, Placement And Curing.
Ready Mix Concrete Is Batched At A Central Plant And Delivered To The Job Site As Fresh Concrete In An Agitator Truck.
It Is Commonly Ordered By Cubic Metre Together With The Required Concrete specification, delivery time and placement information.
Calculate The Volume Of Each Slab, footing, beam or other concrete element and add the volumes together.
Slump Is A Measure Of Fresh Concrete Consistency. The required slump should match the project specification and placement method.
Uncontrolled Water Addition Can Change The intended mix. Follow the supplier's approved procedure or project requirements.
A Pump Is Common When The Truck Cannot Discharge Close Enough To The pour or when controlled placement over distance or height is required.
Delivery And Discharge Timing Depend On The Supplier, mix, weather and project conditions. Coordinate truck intervals with the supplier rather than assuming an unlimited waiting time.
Yes. Ready-Mixed Concrete Still Requires Appropriate curing after placement and finishing.
Neither Method Is Automatically Better For Every Project. Ready mix suits many larger or controlled pours, while site mixing can suit smaller jobs depending on access and requirements.
Forms, reinforcement, access, crew, placement equipment, finishing tools and curing materials should all be prepared before delivery.
Yes, Provided The Concrete supplied matches the project specification and placement requirements.
No. This Is An Educational Guide. The required mix should come from the project specification, supplier or qualified professional where required.
Use Current Supplier Information, Project Documents And Industry Guidance When Ordering And Placing Ready-Mixed Concrete.
Australian Industry Information And Technical Resources For Cement, Concrete And Aggregates.
Visit CCAANational Safety Information Relevant To Concrete Work, construction activities and silica exposure.
Read Silica GuidanceConfirm The Mix, slump, delivery conditions, truck access, waiting time and placement requirements.
Use The Required Concrete strength, exposure, reinforcement, placement and curing requirements for the actual project.