READY MIX CONCRETE

RMC is a specialized material in which the cement

aggregates and other ingredients are weigh-batched at a plant in a central mixer or

truck mixer, before delivery to the construction site in a condition ready for placing
by the builder.

Thus, `fresh' concrete is manufactured in a plant away

from the construction site and transported within the
requisite journey time.
The RMC supplier provides two services, firstly one

of processing the materials for making fresh concrete and secondly, of transporting
a product within a short time.

HISTORY OF RMC
First introduce by Architect Jurgen Heinrich Magens, he get his
patented of RMC in Germany in 1903.

The first concrete mixed off site and delivered to a construction site was effectively
done in Baltimore, United States in 1913 just before the First World War.

The first concept of transit mixer was also born in 1926 in the
United States.

In 1939, the first RMC plant was installed in United Kingdom and in 1933 first
specifications on RMC was published in United Kingdom.

Figure: Transit mixer in late 1940’s and Concrete pump in late 1940’s
(Ambuja Cement Literature Vol. 90)
In India RMC was first initially was used in 1950 during
the construction sites of Dams like like Bhakra Nangal,
Koyna.
RMC was first fully established in Pune in the year 1991
by private companies which was close later.
RMC was successfully established sometime after 1994 in
India.
As per the available record upto 2003, there are around 76

RMC plant in 17 cities with a total capacity of around 3875 CuM/hr, producing 3.8
million CuM of concrete per year.
ADVANTAGES OF RMC

SUPERIOR QUALIT
REDUCED THE WASTAGES OF MATERIAL
ELIMINATE THE PROBLEM OF STORAGE OF
MATERIAL
REDUCE SUPERVISION & LABOUR COST
SAFE & HYGENIC CONDITION
FLUCTUATION OF RAW MATERIAL COST & NON-
AVABILITY OF MATERIAL ELIMINATE
REDUCES THE PROBLEM OF INSPECTION,
CHECKING & TESTING
ROADS & FOOTHPATH ARE NOT BLOCKED
IMPROVE THE ENVIRONMENT
SCOPE OF RMC IN INDIA

The World Bank's “ India Cement industry Restructuring Project" under which a
technical study report on the development of market for bulk cement in India was
made in 1996, proved to be positive development towards modernization of
cement distribution system in India, including setting up Ready mix concrete
Plants.

The objective of this technical study was to formulate an action plan for the
development of market for bulk cement in large cement centres in India and for
gradual shift. from the traditional mode of transportation in bags to bulk
transportation through setting up of ready mixed concrete plants in different parts
of the country. The recommendation of the action plan provided a useful guidance
towards expanding bulk cement market thus paving a way for installation or ready
mixed concrete plants in India According to Cement Manufacturers Association,
RMC is being increasingly recommended for all major public construction work
such as highways, flyovers.

In India it can grow to consume 40-45 percent of cement by 2015 through

setting up of RMC plants in various consumption centers.

According to European Ready Mixed Concrete Organization (ERMCO) .The

marketing of RMC should no more be in terms of strength grades only, but a
combination of strength durability classification as per the Concrete Codes which
improves the sellability of RMC in terms of the requirements of the projects.

Appropriate environmental, safety and health regulations for the working

force need to be kept in mind in the management and operation of RMC
Figure : RMC Market Potential (CE&CR, June 2001, pg.no.30)
Types of Batching Plants
1) Centrally Mixed Concrete or Wet batch mixer
In Centrally mixed concrete, the mixing is done at a central plant &
the mixed concrete is then transported usually in the truck agitator
truck which revolves slowly so as to prevent segregation and undue
stiffening of the mix.
2) Truck mixed concerte or Dry batch concrete plant
In the truck mixed concrete, the materials is batched at a central
plant but are mixed in a mixer truck either in transit to the site or
immediately prior to the concrete is being discharged. Transit-
mixing permits a longer haul and is less vulnerable in case of delay,
but the capacity of a truck used as a mixer is only 63 per cent, or
even less, of the drum while for central-mixed concrete is 80 percent