Ready mix concrete is a fan favorite when it comes to large-scale construction; building bridges, constructing companies, and erecting electrical power plants. But ensuring the durability of these giant structures is more than just pouring the mix into foundation moldings. From planning routine maintenance to ensuring proper curing time and everything else in between, this blog explains how to keep your RMC structures sound, safe, and standing strong throughout their lifespan. 

Ensuring Structural Soundness of RMC: From Day One To Decades & Beyond

RMC is created in large plants and undergoes strict maintenance checks to ensure that it meets the stringent building codes of large-scale construction. However, ordering a bag of concrete isn’t enough to keep your buildings and bridges standing.

Here is a look at a few things you should keep in mind! 

• Proper Curing Conditions

Aside from the initial design and mix, the next thing that maintains the structural integrity of your RMC projects is the way it cures. Consider using thermal blankets and steam curing in colder areas. But if your project is taking place in the warmer months, frequently add water and add curing compounds to lessen evaporation.

•  Reinforcing Concrete To Keep Your Structure Standing

Adding the right reinforcements to keep the structures standing strong is yet another thing you can do to ensure durability. Select appropriate reinforcement, such as high-grade steel fibers, for example, that play a vital role in redoubling tensile strength. Place them precisely within the concrete to ensure longevity, and make sure you choose a material that doesn’t corrode so that your structure won’t lean or collapse after a few years.

•  Long-Term Maintenance For Structural Durability

You’ve done all that you could with the application process, but now it’s time to keep the structure standing. Assess environmental factors like the weather, soil conditions, and moisture levels to calculate a maintenance plan. Take into account the load-bearing capacity of your structure and schedule routine inspections to catch small issues before they become big ones.

•  Utilizing Advanced Technology For Testing

By assessing your RMC concrete structures routinely with high-tech machines, you can guarantee that they stay sound. Here are a few things you could use:

• Thermal imaging: finding gaps in insulation or moisture penetration is an excellent way to address compromised durability.
• Rebound Hammer Test: You could get a clearer idea of the surface hardness of the structure, getting a better idea of the quality of the concrete.
• Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity: measuring ultrasonic pulses inside the concrete gives a better idea of flaws, cracks, and gaps within the structure.

•  The Right Mix Design For The Right Construction Project

Consider what you’re building. Keep in mind the strength needed for your project, calculate flexibility, and keep an eye on the environmental factors in your neck of the woods to ensure your structure stands strong.

•  Select The Right Concrete Manufacturer

Next, aggregate is what gives concrete its abrasive qualities. Be sure to select a well-reputed concrete supplier to ensure your concrete has high-quality aggregate. Make sure it doesn’t have any impurities or contaminations so that your structure stays sound even as years pass. 

• Adding Admixtures For Improved Performance

Another tip to make your concrete structure last longer is to introduce admixtures to your concrete mix. Different types of admixtures offer various strength reinforcements to your concrete structures. For example, adding superplasticisers reduces water content, strengthening your concrete without endangering the fluidity.

•  Proper RMC Mixing

When it comes to mixing the concrete with the water, you should ensure that the time is precise. Too short and the chemical reactions that give concrete its strength and shape won’t take place, and too much and you risk the chances of it curing too quickly, leading to cracks.

•  Wasting Time Means Weaker Foundations

Once the mixture is prepared, do not waste any time. Make sure that you use the RMC pretty much immediately so that you can work with it easily, letting it take proper shape and maintaining it later on as well. 

Conclusion

Though RMC is manufactured at plants with heavy-duty machinery that ensures that the concrete is made correctly, it isn’t just enough to pick up a bag of RMC for your project. Ensuring that you select a well-reputed manufacturer, schedule routine inspections, and reinforce your structures with the right materials are just some ways that you can ensure the durability of your concrete structures. 

FAQs

Do RMC structures require different maintenance than on-site mixed concrete structures?

Yes. RMC structures require little maintenance compared to on-site concrete mix structures due to the stringent codes that are followed during the concrete prep phase. 

How do I find the right RMC manufacturer?

Look for past customer reviews, online reputation, and older projects they’ve completed to make a smart choice. 

How often should RMC structures be inspected?

On-site structural inspections depend on the type of inspection, environmental factors, and the rate of deterioration.