The concrete mixer itself is a modern marvel of human ingenuity and engineering. As technology in the building sector advances, so too do the tools the industry uses. Concrete mixers are a good example of this, as they are continually improved, and new innovations like green energy, onboard computing, and specialised mixing systems have been added to further optimise these machines.

 

It would be no euphemism to claim that the powered mixer is a keystone technology that has allowed for the rapid development of new and exciting concrete building projects around the world. With the increased functionality of mixers in recent years, they have been able to make some of the most impressive architectural concepts a reality. Many of these modern projects have required so such vast amount of concrete that they simply wouldn’t have been feasible in the past. However, the modern concrete mixer has been designed to produce the mass amounts of concrete needed to support the construction of some truly impressive spectacles today.

 

In this article, we want to highlight some truly magnificent concrete buildings and structures. These buildings that can be found all around the world represent the impressive collaboration between ingenious builders and technologically advanced machinery. So, if you are interested in learning more about the world of concrete mixers and the projects they have supported, keep reading to find out more.

 

The Benefits Of The Mixer In Modern Building

 

Before we begin looking at all the wonderful structures that have been supported by the use of a concrete mixer, we think it is important to focus on the machine itself. What are the benefits of using a mixer on a construction site, and how do those factors play into allowing for bigger and more ostentatious buildings? In this section, we will highlight some of the baseline benefits provided by mixers that make them such a productive addition to any building project.

 

Consistent Quality

 

When building larger and more complex structures, you need a consistent material that will encourage structural integrity and strength – concrete is an amazing material for this very reason. Not only is it weather-resistant, stronger than other building materials like wood or stone, and among the cheapest materials to use, but it is also relatively easy to keep it consistent throughout the building project with the use of a concrete mixer.

 

The mixer ensures a consistent mix by first thoroughly mixing it, more effectively than any person could. To add to this, the fact that the drum spins at a constant speed means that concrete batches take the same amount of time to mix, and therefore ultimate consistency can be achieved every time.

 

Safety

 

It is no secret that a construction site can be a dangerous place. From the usage of dangerous, powerful equipment to some of the rough environments that builders work in. Not to mention the hazards that are often present on a building site, which can include everything from building materials falling from high places to sharp edges being exposed all around the site.

 

Luckily, one major advantage of using a concrete mixer is that it can improve the safety of a construction site in a few crucial ways. Firstly, because all the mixing is done in the machine, builders do not have to be in contact with the concrete aggregates that can be chemically dangerous with extended exposure. Secondly, it also reduces the amount of manual labour needed, meaning that physical injuries become less likely. Both factors can drastically reduce injuries on projects that require a lot of concrete.

 

Cost -Effective

 

Not only can the mixer ensure consistent quality and improved safety, but it can benefit the bottom line of many building projects by saving building companies money. This is because mixers are surprisingly cost-effective in the long run, especially when compared to builders mixing concrete manually.

 

The financial benefit is twofold. Firstly, by using these machines, the upfront cost may be higher than if builders mixed by hand. However, in order to produce the same quantity as one mixer, you would need a much larger workforce, all of whom require pay. So, by using a mixer, you can massively reduce the size of your labour force, thus saving money.

 

Secondly, concrete mixers have also been proven to reduce the waste of building materials. As mixers use exact ratios of concrete ingredients to produce a batch of concrete and mix them thoroughly, the materials do not go to waste by producing too much or too little of the mixture.

 

Productivity

 

At the end of the day, the largest and most important benefit of concrete mixers is their ability to increase productivity. Simply put, mixing concrete faster and more consistently than manually mixing means that there is a quicker turnaround time overall.

 

With the importance of mixers being understood, some manufacturers have made some industrial-sized models that can churn out massive batches at a time. This means that builders can use larger volumes of concrete than ever before, which directly improves productivity on these sites.

 

 

Modern Marvels: Concrete Buildings That Stand Out

 

We can now appreciate the integral role that concrete mixers play in the building process. We have seen first-hand the extent to which these machines benefit modern building projects. In this way, we can better understand how mixers have supported the building of magnificent concrete structures all around the world.

 

The buildings discussed below would not have been possible without the use of these extraordinary mixers. So, let’s keep that in mind as we review and admire some of these structures below.

 

The Burj Khalifa

 

Standing at over 820 metres tall, the Burj Khalifa is the world’s tallest building. Designed by Adrian Smith and completed in 2010, this building is not just an architectural marvel but a feat of engineering as well. When building something so tall, the structure becomes more susceptible to instability and environmental hazards like wind pressure. Thus, to complete this stunning building, concrete was used in a revolutionary way.

 

Firstly, to provide such a large structure with the correct base, the foundations had to be massive. The Burj Khalifa sits on an almost four-metre-deep concrete base that took over 12,500 cubic metres of concrete to build. However, the real ingenuity can be found in the concrete core that runs up the height of the building. This core makes use of high-performance concrete that is laid out in a hexagonal pattern with six cores buttressing one another. These cores help to withstand the immense pressure applied to the tower.

 

Bosco Verticale

 

If you have ever been to Milan, Italy, you may have been struck by two rather unique-looking buildings. These are the Bosco Verticale, which is translated to mean the vertical forest. Designed by Stefano Boeri and completed in 2014, these concrete towers represent a new type of urban building. That is the promotion of green architecture, in which man-made materials are made to support the growth of nature.

 

The vertical forest consists of two towers that stand at 80 and 112 metres high. Together, these two towers house over 800 trees, 15,000 perennial plants, and 5,000 shrubs. The amount of vegetation present in these towers is almost equivalent to over 30,000 square metres of forested spaces that have been installed in a sprawling urban area. These towers are a stunning representation of the symbiosis nature and concrete can have.

 

The Broad

 

With a truly unique architectural style, we introduce you to “The Broad,” a modern art museum that was completed in Los Angeles, USA, in 2015. This unique building represents what is referred to as a “veil and vault design” and was the brainchild of the architect Diller Scofidio. The veil and vault design refers to the striking honeycomb features that make up the exterior of the building. These features were constructed out of glass and concrete.

 

The ingenuity of this honeycomb design means that the building does not need extra pillars to support the roof, which allows for an exhibit space within that is not hampered by columns or other structural obstacles. The vault portion of this building’s design includes over 50,000 square feet of exhibition space and alone required over 36 million pounds of concrete to construct. While the veil portion of the building required over 2,500 sheets made from a material referred to as glass fibre reinforced concrete panels.

 

The National Museum Of Qatar

 

The new national museum of Qatar is certainly a sight to behold and is one of the most unique museums in the entire world. Although the Museum of Qatar was originally opened in 1975, the new remarkable building replacing the old one was opened on March 28, 2019. It was designed by famed architect Jean Nouvel, who based the building on the desert rose.

 

This fascinating museum is built close to the coastline and has two pedestrian bridges and a road that connect them. This museum is a massive building that covers a 40,000 square metre radius. The building also makes use of concrete in an interesting way, as do all the buildings on this list. In the case of the Qatari National Museum, the building consists of over 539 interlocking concrete panels. Some of the panels have a diameter of over 87 metres.

 

La Sagrada Família

 

The final building we will discuss is not only unique in its design but also in its construction history. La Sagrada Família is a famed cathedral in Barcelona, Spain. Originally designed in 1882 by architect Francisco de Paula del Villar, this building is in a process of continual development. Over its 140-year history, the building has never been completed. Over the past the past five generations, many different builders and architects have added to this building.

 

However, due to the improved technology of today, modern construction techniques, and the use of modern powered tools like the concrete mixer, substantial progress has been made in the 21st century, adding to this ever-growing building. It is a truly remarkable piece of concrete and remains a tourist favourite when visiting Spain.

 

 

Concrete Mixers And Building

 

In this article, we have reviewed not only how concrete mixers can benefit modern buildings but also how the support of these machines has led to some truly remarkable buildings all around the world. The use of modern mixers does not have to be limited to the building of massive structures like those listed above, and at BS Power, we have many models that can benefit your own personal construction projects as well.

 

So, if you are interested in learning more about how concrete mixers can help you create your own masterpiece or simply want to know what we at BS Power have to offer. Don’t hesitate to visit our website today to find out more.