Once the concrete leaves the batching plant, a highly coordinated logistical operation begins. Fresh concrete is a perishable product with a limited lifespan, meaning delivery management is just as important as chemical composition.
The Role of Transit Mixers
RMC is transported in specialized trucks equipped with rotating drums known as Transit Mixers. The continuous rotation of the drum performs two critical functions:
- It prevents segregation, a phenomenon where heavy gravel sinks to the bottom while water and cement float to the top.
- It keeps the mix in a dynamic state, delaying the initial setting process.
Dispatch Logistics and Time Constraints
Modern RMC suppliers utilize GPS tracking and automated dispatch systems to sync truck departures with the exact pace of placement on the site. As a general rule of engineering standard (such as ASTM C94), concrete should be completely discharged from the truck within 90 minutes of the initial mixing of cement and water, or before the truck drum has turned 300 revolutions. If a truck gets stuck in severe traffic or faces extensive delays at the gate, the concrete can begin its initial set inside the drum, making it unusable.
On Site Discharge Options
When the mixer truck arrives, the concrete must be moved from the truck into its final formwork quickly. Suppliers utilize several methods:
- Chutes: Direct, gravity fed troughs attached to the back of the truck, ideal if the truck can drive right up to the edge of the pour area.
- Concrete Pumps: High pressure hydraulic pumps (either boom pumps for height or line pumps for distance) that push liquid concrete through flexible pipes directly to the exact point of placement.
- Crane Buckets: Large metal buckets lifted by tower cranes, typically used in high rise structural builds.
📍 Company Details
Address: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Subcity: Kirkos Sub City
Head Office: Kazanchis, Addis Ababa
Batching Plants: Bole Michael & Bole Bulbula
TIN Number: 0090355672
📞 Contact Information
Phone: 251 90 605 0505 / +251 90 880 5555
Email: bamamixplc@gmail.com
