Whether you’re using it for commercial use or domestic use, ready mix concrete is a big time saver when it comes to your construction work. But what actually is ready mix concrete and what is it made of?

Keep reading to find out more.

What is it?

Ready mix concrete is, well, just that – concrete that’s ready to mix straight from the bag! We will describe it in a bit more detail for you, though. When you buy ready to mix concrete, all the ingredients that are required to make concrete are measured out to the right quantities and pre-mixed for you. All you have to do is mix the contents of your mix with water and voila – pourable concrete!

This is opposed to normal concrete, where none of the prior steps are done for you. Instead, you are required to measure out all the ingredients (water, cement and aggregates) on site in the desired quantities depending on how durable and strong you require your concrete to be. You can buy different types of ready mix concrete, all of which will be mixed to have certain properties that suit specific requirements.

Composition

So what is it actually made of – is it simply just the same as the concrete you would mix yourself on site? Not quite.

Ready mix concrete often contains admixtures, which are used to modify its mixed, hardened, or setting properties once it has been activated. These can reduce the cost of your concrete while improving its overall quality and stability. Here are some of the common additives that are included in admixtures:

  • Air Entraining Agent (AEA): Allow for microscopic air bubbles to develop during the mixing of the concrete, improving its freeze-thaw durability and resistance to scaling.
  • Accelerating Agent (ACC): Increase the speed of a chemical reaction, which in concrete allows it to set faster – these are great for use in winter.
  • Water Reducing Agent (WRA): Used to reduce the water content of a mixture or slow the rate at which the concrete sets without losing its flowing properties.
  • Foam: Foaming agents are added to the concrete to make it more flexible and self-levelling, they also make it more resistant to temperature changes.
  • Fibre: Fibrous material, such as polypropylene or glass, are added to the mixture to increase its strength and reduce cracking.
  • Waterproof: Water-resistant additives make the concrete impermeable, perfect for water-tight construction.

Due to these additives, there is a whole range of ready mix concrete available for both commercial use and for when you’re undertaking some DIY work, with domestic concrete mixes including kerb mix, foundation mix, slab mix, driveway mix and more!

Are you looking for high quality ready mix concrete delivered to your door? Speak with Forth Valley Concrete. We are ready mix concrete suppliers, supplying professional ready mix cement and concrete across central Scotland.

Whether you are looking for high quality concrete to use for your contract work, or simply require a speciality mix for your DIY driveway, get in touch with us today to supply your project with solid foundations. We deliver 24/7, 52 weeks a year.