IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE)

e-ISSN: 2278-1684,p-ISSN: 2320-334X, Volume 12, Issue 5 Ver. V (Sep. - Oct. 2015), PP 01-07
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Quality Control of Ready Mixed Concrete

1

Rahul Mahajan, 2Reuben Buthello

Junior Engineer, M/s. Cemix Concrete, Ghodbunder Village, Mira Road, Thane
Director- Quality, M/s. Cemix Concrete, Ghodbunder Village, Mira Road, Thane

Abstract: Concrete is one of the most important components in the construction industry. Hence quality of
concrete plays a vital role in structures. The quality of concrete has direct effect on the strength and durability
of a structure. Many times on site concrete is made by labours which are neither skilled nor well known about
importance of concrete. Also there is no proper storage of material on site which affects the quality of materials.
Construction sites have limited equipment in their quality control laboratory. Hence proper material tests are
not done on site. To make concrete strong and durable testing of all ingredients of concrete is necessary which
are done daily or weekly in Ready Mix Concrete plants. Ready-mix concrete (RMC) is a ready-to-use material,
with predetermined mixture of Cement, sand, aggregates and water. RMC is a type of concrete manufactured in
a factory According as per specifications of the customer, at a centrally located batching Plant. It is then send
or Delivered to a worksite, often in truck mixers capable of mixing the ingredients of the concrete.

I.

Introduction:

Construction is the second largest industry in India, next only to agriculture and concrete is the largest
man made material of construction all over the world. Ready Mixed Concrete (RMC) is preferred to on site
concrete mixing because of the precision of the mixture and reduced work site confusion. It
facilitates speedy construction through programmed delivery at the site and mechanized operation with
consequent economy. It also decreases labour, site supervising cost and project time, resulting in savings. It
assures consistent quality through accurate computerized control of aggregates and water as per mix designs. It
minimizes cement wastage due to bulk handling and there is no dust problem and therefore, pollution free. As
per Indian Standard 4926:2003 Ready Mix Concrete is defined as the concrete deliver in plastic condition and
requiring no further treatment before being placed in position in which it is to set and harden.
Ready Mix Concrete is specialized material in which concrete ingredients are weigh-batch at a plant in
a central mixer, before delivery to the construction site. In the case of a centrally mix type, the drum carrying the
concrete revolves slowly so as to prevent the mixed concrete from segregation and prevent its stiffening from
initial set. This paper represents how one can produce consistent quality of concrete. To make good quality
concrete it very necessary to test the raw material of concrete on daily or weekly basis.

II.

Objective:

This paper represents the maintenance of quality of Ready Mix Concrete. As the Ready Mix Concrete
is widely used all over the world hence consistent quality concrete is necessary. The main objective of this paper
is that the QA/QC engineer in RMC plant and site civil engineer should have the knowledge of advantages of
Ready Mix Concrete over the site mix concrete. This paper will also help to the freshers in maintaining the
quality of concrete. The engineer will going to know what will be the steps for making good quality of Ready
mix Concrete.

III.

Need Of Ready Mix Concrete:

Ready Mix Concrete has following advantages over the site mix concrete:
Ready Mix Concrete has better quality than the site mix concrete because of sophisticated equipment
for batching and other process of making concrete.
Use of Ready Mix Concrete increases speed of construction. Typically site mix concrete is produce at
the rate of 4-5 m3 per hour, where a basic RMC plant can produce 60m3 per hour, with the larger
plants producing much more.
With the use of RMC, customers are not required to procure and store cement, aggregates, sand, water
and admixtures at site. This not only drastically reduces the space requirements at construction sites but
also minimizes efforts on the part of customers to procure different materials, ensure their proper
storage and check their quality parameters from time to time.
Site-mixed concrete is a labour-intensive operation and managing lage labour force is a big hassle for
the customer. With the use of RMC the labour requirements are minimized considerably, thus

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Quality Control of Ready Mixed Concrete

benefiting customers. Further, as RMC-India looks after the entire QA & QC needs, the customers
manpower requirement for QA & QC operations is minimized. This is a saving for the customers.
In site-mixed concrete job, wastage occurs in handling of all materials, including cement. The latter is
generally of the order of about 2-3 kg per 50 kg bag of cement. All such wastages are considerably
minimized at RMC facility.
Use of Ready Mix Concrete is also eco friendly.

IV.

Material:

Cement:
Cement is a binder material which sets and hardened independently. Cement can bind other ingredients
of concrete together. Cement has following chemical composition:
INGREDIENTS
AMOUNT(%)

CaO
60-67

SiO
17-25

AlO
3-8

FeO
0.5-6

MgO
0.1-4

Alkalies
0.4-1.3

SO
1.3-3

Cement used for making concrete should have fulfilled following requirements:
S.
N.
1.
2.
3.
4.
5.

Characteristics of Cement

Value specified by IS 8112:1989

Specific gravity
Standard consistency
Initial setting time
Final setting time
Compressive strength
OPC33 (IS269:1989)
OPC43 (IS8112:1989)
OPC53 (IS12269:1987)

3.15
25-35%
30 minutes
600 minutes
7day
23N/mm
33N/mm
37N/mm

28day
33N/mm
43N/mm
53N/mm

Apparatus required for cement tests:

1 Vicat Apparatus Vicat apparatus conforming IS:5513:1976.

Standard consistency, initial setting time, final setting time and compressive test for cement should
confirm Indian Standards 4031 (Part 4 to Part 6).
Aggregate:
Aggregates are important ingredient in concrete. They give power to the concrete. In RMC plant
aggregate are stored in bins, either on ground level or elevated. The aggregates have occupied 70-75% volume
of a concrete.
Aggregates are divided into two categories from the size consideration
Coarse Aggregate
Fine Aggregate
The size of the aggregate more than 4.75 mm are consider as coarse aggregate and below 4.75 mm are
consider as fine aggregate.
Sampling:
All aggregates are to be sampled before taking them to testing. Sampling is done either by Riffle
machine or by hand. The slot of Riffle machine should be less than 1.5 times the largest aggregate size. The
other process of sampling is as follows:
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Quality Control of Ready Mixed Concrete

1. Collect the aggregates from different locations and from different depths from the bins immediately after
unloading of truck. Collect the samples at least from 10-15 different locations.
2. Then thoroughly mix the material.
3. Then make divide that material into four equal quarters.
4. Discard any two diagonally opposite segment of quartered sample.
5. Collect the remaining two samples and remix.
6. Now take this remaining sample or aggregates for testing.
Tests carried out for aggregates used for concrete
1. Sieve Analysis/Particle size distribution/GradingCOARSE AGGREGATE
80 MM
63MM
40MM
31.5MM
25MM
20MM
12.5MM
10MM
6.3MM
4.75MM

FINE AGGREAGATE
4.75MM
2.36MM
1.18MM
0.600MM
0.300MM
0.150MM
0.075MM

Fine aggregate used for concrete should confirm one zone among the four specified by Indian Standard
383:1970. Zone of aggregate is determined by percentage of aggregate passing through 600 micron sieve.
2. Moisture Content:
Moisture content is determined by using oven or hot plate. It is expressed as percentage.
Moisture content= WET weight of sample DRY weight of sample
DRY weight of sample
3. Specific Gravity and Water Absorption: Specific gravity of fine aggregate is determined by Pycnometer and
that of coarse aggregate is determine by basket Method. Specific gravity of aggregates test should be done as per
Indian Standard 2386 (Part 3)-1963.
4. Aggregate Impact value:
The aggregate impact value may be determined the aggregate impact value may be determined in
accordance with the method specified in IS: 2386 (Part IV)-1963. The aggregate impact value shall not exceed
45 percent by weight for aggregates used for concrete other than for wearing surfaces and 30 percent by weight
for concrete for wearing surfaces, such as runways, roads and pavements.
5. Aggregate crushing value: It is an alternative method for Aggregate Impact value test. This test is also done
the aggregate impact value may be determined in accordance with the method specified in IS: 2386 (Part IV)1963. The aggregate crushing value shall not exceed 45 percent by weight for aggregates used for concrete other
than for wearing surfaces and 30 percent by weight for concrete for wearing surfaces, such as runways, roads
and pavements.
6. Flakiness and Elongation Index:
As per Indian standard 2386:1963 (Part 1) the Flakiness Index of an aggregate is the percentage by
weight particles in it whose least dimensions or thickness is less than three-fifths of their mean dimension. This
test is not applicable for aggregate of size smaller than 6.3 mm. Flakiness Index in excess of 35 to 40% is
undesirable.
The Elongation Index of an aggregate is the percentage by weight of particles whose greatest
dimension (length) is greater than one and four-fifths times their mean dimension. Normally, the properties of
interest to the engineer are
Sufficiently covered by the flakiness Index test. The elongation test is not applicable to sizes smaller
than 6.3 mm.

V.

Fly Ash:

Fly ash is a by- product of coal-fired electricity generating power plant. The coal used in these power
plants is mainly composed of combustible element such as carbon, hydrogen and oxygen. Use of fly ash
improves quality of concrete, by making it strong, more durable and more resistant to chemical attack. Fly ash
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Quality Control of Ready Mixed Concrete

particles less than 10 micron are contributed to the 7 and 28 day strength. Particles between 10 to 45 micron are
contributed to the strength after 28 day up to one year.
The fly ash fineness is determined by wet sieving through a 45 micron sieve following Indian Standard
460:1962. Fineness of fly ash is also determined by Blains air permeability method following by Indian
Standard 1727:1967. Indian Standard 3812:2003 (Part1) specifies that fineness of fly ash by Blains air
permeability method should be more than 320m /kg, which is a maximum of 34% residue on45 micron sieve
and IS 3812:2003 (Part 2), specifies 200 m/kg fineness corresponding to the residue on 45 micron sieve of
maximum 50%. Fly ash is generally used in concrete as partial replacement of cement up to 10 to 30%. This
replacement gives good strength, more workability and more durability to the concrete.

VI.

Ground Granulated Blast-Furnance Slag (Ggbs):

GGBS is a by-product of iron and steel manufacturing industries. It is obtained by quenching molten
iron slag from a blast-furnance, in water, to produce a glassy fine powder. While making concrete GGBS can
replace cement from 30 to 80%. Typically 40 to 50% replacement is widely used. Concrete made with GGBS
sets more slowly than normal concrete. Concrete made using GGBS continues to gain strength over a long
period. Use of GGBS in concrete enhances properties like durability, workability and strength of a concrete. Use
of GGBS reduces the risk of damage caused by alkali silica reaction; it provides higher resistance to chloride
and sulphate attack.
Admixtures:
A material other than cement, aggregate, water and other additives like pozzolana or slag added to the
concrete batch immediately before or during the its mixing to modify one more of the properties of concrete in
the plastic or harden state. There are different types of admixture are as follows:
a) Accelerating admixtures: It accelerates setting of concrete. It is mainly used in cold
weatherconcreteing.
b) Retarding admixtures: It expands the setting time of concrete. It is mainly used in hot weather
concreting.
c) Water- reducing admixtures: This reduces the amount of water without affecting workability of
concrete.
d) Air-entraining admixtures: It is mainly used in concrete exposed to freezing and thawing conditions.
e) Superplasticizing admixtures: it is used to significantly reduce the water content while maintaining
workability and to gain high strength. Generally admixture is used 0.5 -1.2 % of weight of total
cementitious material (cement+flyash+GGBS).
In Ready Mix Concrete Plant admixtures mainly perform the following functions:
Reducing water content and hence increasing strength.
Increasing durability of concrete.
Accelerating and decreasing setting time of concrete.
Avoiding segregation and bleeding in concrete.
Increasing pump ability of concrete.
Water:
Water used for mixing and curing shall be clean and free from injurious amounts of oils, acids, alkalis,
salts, sugar, organic materials or other substances that may be deleterious to concrete or steel. Potable water is
generally considered satisfactory for mixing concrete. The pH value of water should not be less than 6. Water
stored in curing tank should be replace with clean water at least in a week. Water found satisfactory for mixing
is also suitable for curing of concrete which confirms Indian Standard 456:2000. Water used for concrete should
have following limits
SR. NO.
1.
2.
3.
4.

PERMISSIBLE LIMIT FOR SOLIDS (IS456:2000)

TESTED AS PER
Organic
IS 3025 (Part 18)
Inorganic
IS 3025 (Part 18)
IS 3025 (Part 24)
Sulphates (as SO)
Chlorides (as CL)
IS 3025 (Part 32)

5.

Suspended matter

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IS 3025 (Part17)

PERMISSIBLE LIMITS(MAX)
200 mg/l
3000 mg/l
400mg/l
2000mg/l for PCC
500 mg/l for RCC
2000 mg/l

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Quality Control of Ready Mixed Concrete

VII.

Storage Of Material In Ready Mix Concrete Plant:

Cement: Generally in Ready Mix Concrete plant cement is stored in silos of different capacity. The
loading of cement is generally done with the help of pneumatic blower systems. Cement is weighed separately,
and is transported from the silo into the mechanical weigher by screw conveyor.

Aggregates: Aggregates in Ready Mix Concrete are stored into the bins. Bins are separate for different sizes of
aggregate. Bins are generally covered by sheets to avoid rain and direct sunlight.

Water: Water is generally stored in tanks located close to the plant. Water tank should be clean and neat.
ADMIXTURE: Generally admixtures are store in drums but it can also stored into the tanks. Admixture drum
should be shaken before the use.

Properties Of Fresh Concrete:

There are two main properties of fresh concrete which are of main interest:
Workability:
Concrete is said to be workable if it is easily transported, placed, compacted and finished without any
segregation. Generally workability of concrete is measured by slump test.
Slump Test: It is related with the ease with which concrete flows during placement.

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Quality Control of Ready Mixed Concrete

Flow Test: Flow test is generally used for highly workable concrete. Flow of concrete can be measured by flow
table. Workability of Ready Mix Concrete should be maintained as per demand of purchaser and environmental
conditions given in Indian standard 456:2000 clause no. 7.1.

Cohesiveness:
Cohesiveness is one of the important properties of fresh concrete. Concrete should always be cohesive
or in homogenous mass. Cohesiveness of concrete is a measure of resistance offered by concrete to segregation
and bleeding. There is no recognized test for cohesiveness. So this is usually done by visual inspection.

VIII.

Sampling Of Concrete In Rmc Way:

Sample of concrete should be taken from middle of the truck. Sampling of concrete should be done as
per Indian Standard 1199. As per IS 4926-2003, after the truck-mixer has re-mixed its delivery on site allow at
least the first one-third of a m3 of concrete to be discharged prior to taking any samples. Take at least 4
incremental samples from the remainder of the load avoiding sampling the last cubic metre of concrete.

IX.

Properties Of Harden Concrete:

Compressive test of concrete:

Some cubes are casted on site and in the RMC plant. After demoulding , cubes are placed in curing
tank for curing. At least 3 cubes should be casted for compressive test. In Ready Mix Concrete plant cubes are
generally tested on 3, 7 and 28 days. Cubes are cast in 150*150 mm cube moulds. As per a thumb rule concrete
should developed 50% strength in 3 days, 67 to 80% in 7days and 100% in 28 days. Concrete cube strength is
determined by compressive testing machine. Calibration of CTM should be done time to time.

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Quality Control of Ready Mixed Concrete

X.

Mix Design:

Following data is required for design of concrete.

a) Grade designation
b) Type of cement
c) Maximum nominal size of aggregate
d) Minimum cement content
e) Maximum water-cement ratio
f) Workability
g) Exposure conditions as per Table 4 and Table 5 of IS -456
h) Maximum temperature of concrete at the time of placing
j) Method of transporting and placing
k) Early age strength requirements, if required
I) Type of aggregate
m) Maximum cement content
II) Whether an admixture shall or shall not be used and the type of admixture and the condition of use.
After getting all above data concrete mix design can be started. For calculating target mean strength standard
deviation is required. With the help of past cube strength results standard deviation can be calculated. But at
least 30 sample cube results should be available for the standard deviation. If in case sample or past data is not
available then refer Indian standard 10262:2009 table no. 1. And select the standard deviation, and then design a
Mix.
After making Mix Design, trial should be taken of that and find whether the mix is considerable
according to all aspects like workability, strength etc. Before starting a new mix design trail should be taken
every time. As per Indian Standard 4926: Concrete is to be measured in m3 only.

Reference:

[1].
[2].
[3].
[4].
[5].
[6].
[7].
[8].
[9].

B. B. Abhilash Reddy, Study of Material and Mix Design Procedure For Ready Mix Concrete, Department of Civil Engineering,
Gokaraju Rangraju College of Engineering and Technology, Hydrabad.
Ashish H. Makwana, Jayeshkumar Pitroda, An Approach for Ready Mix Concrete Selection for Construction Companies through
Analytic Hierarchy Process, International Journal of Engineering Trends and Technology (IJETT)-Volume4, Issue7- July2014.
V. Shyam Prakash, Ready Mix Concrete Using Manufactured Sand As Fine Aggregate, 32 Conference on Our World in Concrete
and Structure, August 2007.
A. K. Jain, Ready Mix Concrete Growth Prospects in India, 32 Conference on Our World in Concrete and Structure, August
2002.
H. P. Naiknavare, S.D. Deshpande, R.D. Padhye, IOSR Journal of Mechanical and Civil Engineering (IOSR-JMCE), ISSN: 22781684, PP: 50-54.
Sadanand Govalikar, Lecture on Ready Mix Concrete, at Ambuja Knowledge Centre, Andheri, Mumbai.
Indian Standard 456:2000, Code for Plain Cement Concrete and Reinforcement Cement Concrete.
Indian Standard 4926:2003, Code for Ready Mix Concrete.
Indian Standard 10262:2009, Code for Concrete Mix Design.

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