Volumetric concrete mixing is a method of concrete preparation in which raw materials such as sand, gravel, cement, water, and other required admixtures are mixed together in specific proportions. Instead of being premixed at a batching plant and delivered to the site, volumetric mixing is carried out on the construction site. This process requires a volumetric concrete mixer, which is a mobile truck containing separate compartments for each raw material.
Benefits of volumetric concrete mixing
- Control: Mixing specifications, time, and output. Adjustments can be made at any time.
- Quality: Each pour of fresh concrete has maximum strength and workability.
- Speed: Simplify the production process, reduce downtime and enable quick cleaning, and complete projects faster.
- Reliability: Materials are stored dry in separate compartments, so there is no risk of setting.
- Adaptability: Suitable for short-distance pouring, ready-mixed concrete delivery, civil engineering, mining, prefabrication, shotcrete/gunite concrete, and special concretes, including quick-setting concrete, colored concrete, and permeable concrete. It is ideal for producing concrete in remote areas.
Working principle of the concrete mixing plant
- The volumetric technology makes everything simple. Load the materials into separate compartments and you can start using it. In fact, you can be ready to pour in just a few seconds.
- For example, OLEEK volumetric concrete mixer is calibrated by weight, so there’s no need for guesswork. The operator simply selects from a range of mix designs, and then the materials are distributed into the mixing auger through the connected double-screw system and conveyor belt.
In just 10 seconds, the materials are mixed and ready to be poured. - Cleaning is also easy. The cleaning time of the mixing auger is less than 5 minutes. Then, you can move on to the next job, which may require a different design and quantity, until all the materials are used up.
Video display of the actual construction site.
5 Myths about Volumetric Concrete Mixers - Debunked!
The following are some of the most common misunderstandings and misconceptions so that you can confidently move forward with your projects.
- Myth 1: Volumetric concrete mixing is a new and unproven technology.
Volumetric concrete mixing has been around since the early 1960s, and the concrete mobile mixer was patented in 1965. Consumers quickly recognized this efficient method. By 1980, the production of concrete mobile mixers had exceeded 2,500 units, and it soared to 10,000 units by 2000. Today, various forms of volumetric concrete are used in more than half of the countries around the world. The U.S. military, as well as many state and local government departments worldwide, are also using volumetric concrete.
- Myth 2: Volumetric concrete mixers cannot achieve the accuracy and consistency of batch mixing plants.
The tolerances of volumetric concrete mixers for all materials are the same as those of typical batch plants. Although there are more restrictions on ready-mixed concrete since cement and water are processed at the factory, there are no such restrictions on the construction site, and volumetric mixers can usually have better control over the proportioning and mixing.
- Myth 3: Volumetric concrete mixers cannot produce “high-quality concrete” (for example, the mixing time is insufficient).
Our extensive history of customer satisfaction reveals many examples of high-quality concrete, including:
Bridge deck paving
Airport runway repair
Structural elements
Pool builders, soil conservation
Permeable concrete
Lightweight concrete made with foam and lightweight aggregates
- Myth 4: Volumetric concrete mixers cannot handle large production pours or projects.
On the contrary, a single piece of equipment can be reloaded on the construction site – which means that no time or fuel will be wasted during transportation. The productivity of volumetric equipment exceeds 69 cubic meters per hour. We have seen many examples of large projects completed using volumetric machines. The most common volumetric models on the market currently can produce 0.76 cubic meters of concrete per minute.
- Myth 5: Volumetric mixers are too complicated to operate and have a long learning period.
Just like on any other construction site, proper training must be provided for operators when using this equipment. Operators of volumetric mixers must receive more training than those of typical drum mixers – a “batch plant on wheels”. We provide extensive training on equipment operation, maintenance, and calibration, and soon, typical “day-to-day” operations will become simple, understandable, and repeatable.
Volumetric concrete mixers have many advantages, including on-site mixing flexibility, precise control over concrete components, and significant cost savings through reduced waste. These advantages make them a valuable asset for various construction projects. However, it is important to weigh these advantages against potential disadvantages, such as the initial investment cost and the need for skilled operators.
