A concrete mixer plays a vital role in everyday building in both small and large construction projects. Thanks to the use of new and improved construction technologies in the 21st century, like the popular concrete mixer, we can now build more significant, more complex structures than ever before while completing the job more efficiently, using less time and less labour. Many incredible examples of construction projects today are heavily reliant on these technologies. We only need to look at the variety of dams, unique bridges, and, for the purposes of this article, disaster-preventing sea walls.

 

The Concrete mixer is now generally found in any construction site worldwide. This includes construction sites set up to build sea walls. Sea walls are essential in protecting coastlines from tsunami damage and flooding. Many coastal towns historically have suffered greatly from the devastating impact of these natural disasters.

 

However, as this article will show, with the use of concrete mixer technology, the impact of natural disasters can be heavily reduced on coastal towns. In this short read, we will look at the role of the concrete mixer in constructing sea walls and concrete barriers which aid the protection of coastlines.

 

Concrete Mixer: What Is A Concrete Sea Wall

 

Sea walls come in all shapes and sizes, depending on where they are built, as some geographic locations suffer from more significant ocean-based disasters than others. Many governments and local municipalities have legally required sea walls to be built around highly populated coastal towns, whether they have a history of tsunamis and flooding. The primary purpose of any sea walls is to lessen the damage the ocean can cause in moments when there are heavy storms or tsunamis. Sea walls are also helpful as they can also be used to help slow coastal erosion over time.

 

Concrete Mixer: Top Benefits Of Sea Walls For Residents And The Environment

 

When a seawall is built with a concrete mixer, it needs to be durable and sturdy to withstand the possibility of heavy force from powerful waves. Sturdy sea walls prevent erosion from occurring over long periods or prevent immediate damage from tsunami disasters. Here are some of the top reasons why seawalls benefit coastal towns.

 

• They protect homes and properties that are built near the shore or along canals.
• Safety for residents is increased. During tsunami flooding, sea walls can reduce the force of the waves to give people more time to evacuate.
• An increase in safety can improve property value in certain areas and encourage investment.
• They prevent disastrous floods and heavy erosion along the shoreline.
• Soil erosion is prevented, protecting an array of wildlife and vegetation in coastal areas.
• They are usually relatively easy to maintain and modify.

 

Although seawalls provide numerous benefits, both preventing the loss of human life and damage to infrastructure and the environment, they also come with a few disadvantages. The building of sea walls is increasing, and many countries have been positively affected by their existence. The following are a few disadvantages that can arise with an increased number of sea walls.

 

The materials used in the construction of sea walls can quickly become expensive, putting financial strain on governments and municipalities.

 

• If the seawall is built incorrectly, overtopping can occur where water flows over the sea wall.
• Building sea walls takes time and uses up a lot of resources.
• Sea walls often make reaching beaches difficult for inhabitants or visitors. This could affect an area that relies on coastal tourism.

 

 

Benefits Of A Concrete Mixer For Large-Scale Sea Walls

 

A concrete mixer has changed how we build and hugely benefits the construction industry. On many large construction projects, it is necessary to use a concrete mixer to mix the large-scale quantities needed. It also aids the project by making pouring and transporting the slurry mixture easier. You will find concrete mixer machinery on almost any construction site, including the building of dam walls and large-scale concrete sea walls.

 

The concrete mixer is used to mix the aggregate to its necessary consistency and then poured over steel reinforcements. The steel plays a vital role in ensuring the strength and durability of the concrete. It is easy to see why a concrete mixer is such a widely used piece of equipment. The following are a few benefits of mixing concrete with a concrete mixer:

 

• A concrete mixer speeds up the building process, as mixing concrete is faster than ever.
• A concrete mixer can reduce building costs, producing minimal waste.
• With an on-site concrete mixer, the concrete does not need to be transported
• The quality of the concrete is consistent, producing a reliable and robust material.

 

Seawalls are usually created as sloping structures, but they can greatly differ in appearance. Some are smooth, textured, stepped-faced or curved. Certain seawalls are also built as rubble mound structures or stacks of large sandbags. No matter what materials are used to build a sea wall, they aim to prevent severe damage from waves, flooding, and storms.

 

Concrete Mixer: Benefits Of Concrete vs. Other Materials

 

Most sea walls and dam walls are built using reinforced concrete, and for good reason. Concrete is a highly durable and versatile material used in most construction projects around the world. The many advantageous properties of concrete make it a perfect material for building sea walls when compared to other materials. Here are just some of the main advantages of using concrete and a concrete mixer to build sea walls and dam walls:

 

Concrete seawalls last longer:

 

The long life expectancy of concrete makes it a desired material for permanent structures. As well as sea walls, concrete has been chosen for permanent structures such as foundations, highways, bridges and much more because of its long-lasting nature. A concrete seawall that is maintained correctly can last up to 20 or 50 years.

 

Concrete is more durable than other materials:

 

Seawalls and dam walls need to withstand the pressure of water, flooding, and waves’ immense force. A concrete seawall with steel reinforcements is the best option for maximum strength and durability.

 

Concrete Seawalls require little maintenance:

 

Although the building process may require a lot of effort, once the seawall is complete, it requires very little maintenance. It is unlikely that many repairs will be needed to a well-built concrete structure. If the concrete is mixed correctly at a good consistency, it can last for many years before needing to be replaced or repaired.

 

Concrete is versatile:

 

The versatility of concrete makes it easy to customise. When designing a concrete seawall, the design can easily be altered to suit a specific area for maximum protection.

 

 

Concrete Mixer: Which Countries Are Most Affected By Tsunami Damage

 

Tsunamis are a natural phenomenon that can cause devastating damage to coastal towns and often result in a significant loss of life. Tsunamis occur all over the world, although some countries are more vulnerable to others due to their location. The Ring Of Fire is a geographical area in the Pacific Ocean with frequent tectonic activity, causing earthquakes in the ocean and resulting in devastating tsunamis. Some countries most affected by this include:

 

• Japan
• China
• Indonesia
• Chile

 

Because these countries are most at risk of Tsunami damage, they have been some of the most prominent pioneers in building concrete sea walls. Japan has built the most extensive barrier so far across its coastline in an attempt to prevent damage from future tsunamis. Other countries are following Japan’s lead, and these concrete structures are growing globally.

 

How A Concrete Mixer Makes It Possible To Build Large Structures.

 

In modern construction, concrete and cement are the most essential materials, which’ve been around for a long time. Traditionally, concrete was mixed by hand in small quantities. Not only did this take up a lot of time and manpower, but it also caused inconsistencies in the concrete mixture. Today, mixing concrete by hand is fine for small projects or simple home renovations but not recommended for anything larger.

 

With new technology and advancements in the design of concrete mixers, they now come in various shapes and sizes. Depending on the project’s requirements, it’s easy to find a concrete mixer able to produce high-quality concrete using precise measurements. Concrete produced by a concrete mixer is much stronger than concrete mixed by hand. These machines also reduce wastage, saving money on your materials. Most concrete mixers can be divided into two categories, which include the following:

 

Batch Concrete Mixer

 

A batch concrete mixer is preferable for use on smaller projects and is most commonly used on construction sites. This is because they produce the concrete mixture in smaller batches. Most of these mixers have a drum or a pan with specialised blades that continuously rotate to mix the concrete. The rotation of the blades can be controlled depending on the desired result. Some examples of batch mixers are:

 

Tilting Drum Concrete Mixer:

 

Like all drum mixers, the sets of rotating blades are situated inside a large drum. Although it now can tilt up and down, and the drum is closed at one end. Changing the angle allows the concrete to be mixed more effectively. It also makes pouring the concrete out of the drum easier once it is prepared. These mixers are mainly used to produce lower-grade concrete on intensive construction projects or road building.

 

Non-Tilting Drum Concrete Mixer:

 

Here, there is an opening at either side of the drum. The drum rotates on a horizontal axis to mix the concrete. The mix is then collected with a chute that attaches to one of the openings.

 

Reversing Drum Concrete Mixer:

 

These are very similar to the non-tilting drum mixers as they also have openings on either side of the drum, although the blade mechanism differs. There are two sets of blades, one mixing the concrete and another discharging the finished product out of the concrete mixer.

 

Continuous Concrete Mixer

 

These mixers are used for large-scale projects and drastically speed up the building process by continuously mixing large quantities of concrete. Raw materials are constantly fed into the mixer, and concrete is always at the ready. Due to their size and scale, these mixtures are usually set up on the building site and can pour large quantities at any given time.

 

 

BS Commercial Power

 

BS Commercial Power is one of South Africa’s leading importers and manufacturers of professional, high-performance construction equipment, including the most durable and robust concrete mixers. We offer only top-quality brands to ensure our clients get the best solution possible. We are based in Cape Town but successfully deliver products nationwide and in neighbouring countries in Southern Africa. Our competent staff have over 100 years of combined experience and are ready to assist you with all your construction equipment needs.