When it comes to buying any product, specifically cement mixers, it is essential to know what you are looking for. Before you make any purchases, make sure all your questions are answered. Continue reading to have all FAQs about concrete mixers and concrete answered.

 

If you still have questions, you can find even more information on our B & S Commercial Power website. We will do what we can to get them answered. We are here to make your cement mixing journey as simple as possible.

 

What Different Types of Cement Mixers Are There?

 

There is a more considerable variety of cement mixers than you’d expect. This might make it feel difficult when looking for the right one.

 

Make sure to look at the amount of concrete a mixer can produce at a time and if these mixers can be transported easily. The different cement mixers you can choose from include:

 

Reversing Drum Mixer – Mixes cement in a single direction and then discharges the mixture in the opposite direction. These cement mixers are commonly used on construction sites.

 

Drum Mixers – These are very common. Their container is drum-shaped and designed to rotate to mix cement, water, and sand evenly.

 

Vertical Shaft Mixers – These machines are used to mix large amounts of concrete. The vertical drum of these cement mixers can mix about 7,64 cubic meters of concrete.

 

Portable Mixers – These machines are light and designed for smaller construction jobs. They can be pushed around and transported quickly to various construction projects.

 

 

Is There A Way To Calculate The Quality Of Concrete?

 

Field-cured cylinders are used to calculate the quality of cement. This method is one of the first used. However, new ways of testing and estimating the quality of concrete have emerged. These methods include:

 

• Schmidt Hammer.
• Penetration Resistance Test.
• Ultrasonic Pulse Velocity.
• Pullout Test.
• Drilled Core.
• Cast-in-place Cylinders.
• Wireless Maturity Sensors.

 

Are There Specific Mix Proportions For Good-Quality Concrete?

 

If you want the perfect mix proportions to achieve good-quality concrete for cement mixers, start experimenting with different proportions. The rule of 6 is one way to attain good-quality cement mixtures.

 

This rule starts with using a minimum of 6 packs of cement, 6 gallons (22,7 litres) of water per bag of cement, a minimum of 6 days to set, and the concrete should have an air content of 6%. Use the rule of 6 to make the best concrete for your projects.

 

Cement Mixers: What Is The Difference Between Concrete And Cement?

 

Concrete, cement and mortar are commonly used to refer to the same thing. But cement is an ingredient used to produce concrete, while concrete combines aggregates and a paste made of water and cement.

 

Cement is also an ingredient used in mortar. These mixtures are made of clay, silica sand, limestone, and shells. This mixture hardens when combined with water. Concrete mixtures are used for foundations, patios, slabs, etc.

 

Concrete is a flexible material used in mould and becomes rock-hard once fully cured.

 

Furthermore, mortar is a mixture made from cement and sand. This material is used to hold blocks and bricks together like glue. Just like concrete, a few different types of mortar are available for various uses.

 

When Is The Best Time To Lay New Concrete?

 

During days when it’s extremely hot or cold, it’s not recommended to lay fresh concrete. Too much water can be lost during hot temperatures because of evaporation. If the temperatures drop below a specific amount, hydration will slow down.

 

During these weather conditions, concrete stops gaining strength and other vital properties. A general rule is that the temperature of fresh concrete should not go below 10 Degrees Celsius while curing.

 

When the temperature is too hot, the curing speed of concrete increases, resulting in low-quality concrete that will deteriorate quickly.

 

23 Degrees Celsius is too hot for pouring concrete conditions. Before switching on your cement mixers for the day, check the weather so you know what to prepare for.

 

 

Cement Mixers: What Causes Concrete to Crack?

 

When concrete dries, its volume will change slightly. Usually, this isn’t something to worry about with traditional concrete. When this is put into dimensions, it is only 0,4 cm in 3 meters. This is why contractors add joints to concrete floors and pavements.

 

This controls the cracking of concrete. It will only crack in a straight line at the joint. The reason why concrete cracks are because of shrinking.

 

Why Should Concrete Be Tested?

 

Concrete should be tested to ensure the materials ordered and delivered are identical. There are many ways to test freshly mixed and hardened concrete. Many companies even have their unique ways of testing concrete.

 

Concrete made for flooring can’t necessarily be used to build a building. This is why it is essential to know when and where specific types of concrete can and can’t be used. Furthermore, fresh concrete is tested. The most common tests include compressive strength, slump, unit weight, and air content.

 

Compressive strength is tested with fresh concrete in cylinders. The force needed to break these cylinders at specific intervals while hardening is tested.

 

A slump measures consistency, or the ability of the concrete to flow. There can be problems with proper consolidation because the concrete may need to flow more.

 

A low slump or consistency can cause this. Additionally, unit weight focuses on the weight of an already-known volume of fresh concrete.

 

Air content looks at the total air content in concrete, but the final product’s air content must also be determined. Air content is lost during transportation, placements, consolidation, and finishing.

 

Cement Mixers: Can the Strength of Concrete be Controlled?

 

The answer to this is yes. When using your cement mixers, add more cement if you think your concrete may need more strength. This is the easiest option. The cement-to-water ratio is the main factor that can negatively affect the strength of concrete.

 

This creates a paste used to bind the aggregates together. The lower this ratio is, the stronger your concrete mixture will be. Every physical property added to the mix will be negatively affected when too much water is added.

 

If you need a powerful concrete mixture, it is important to remember these tips. If you create a mixture that is not strong enough, this will cause structural issues.

 

How are Stains Removed from Concrete?

 

Do you need help with stained concrete? Well, here are a few tips for how stains can be removed from concrete. Some wet methods use chemicals, water, and dry or mechanical methods to remove stains.

 

Standard wet methods include applying certain chemicals or water to the stained areas. The chemicals will either bleach the stain or dissolve the substance so it can no longer be seen.

 

Dry methods are flame cleaning, shot blasting, sandblasting, scabbing, scouring, planning, and grinding. Steel-wire brushes can be used, but they may leave behind metal particles. This will cause rust and stain your concrete all over again.

 

 

Cement Mixers: Are There Different Types of Concrete?

 

Did you know that there are 26 different types of concrete? Different concrete mixtures have other uses and benefits.

 

The type of concrete you use will depend on what you make. For example, if you are busy with construction, you will need traditional and reinforced types of concrete. Here is a list of some of the different kinds of concrete used in various industries:

 

Reinforced Concrete – commonly used in modern and industrial construction. This concrete is extremely strong due to being reinforced with wires, steel cables or rods. The reinforcements are placed in the cement before it cures.

 

Ordinary or Plain Concrete – uses the mix ratio of 1:2:4 with the ingredients being cement, sand, and aggregates. Plain concrete is used to produce buildings or pavements due to these structures not having a high need for tensile strength.

 

Precast Concrete – is made and cast following specific measurements. It is then transported to the job site and put together. Precast concrete is usually used for staircase units, precast walls, concrete blocks, and poles.

 

High-Density Concrete – this concrete is used to build atomic power plants. Moreover, heavyweight aggregates are used in this mixture to increase radiation resistance.

 

Air-Entrained Concrete – some concrete types have many tiny air cells. These air pockets release the pressure that is in the concrete. These small air pockets act as chambers so water can expand when it freezes during extremely cold temperatures.

 

Self-Consolidated Concrete – due to the weight of this concrete, it can compact on its own after being put in place. When this concrete is used, there is no need for mechanical consolidation or vibration.

 

Decorative Concrete – is used to make aesthetically and visually appealing mixtures. This type of concrete can go through different processes, like moulding, etching, colouring, polishing, and applying decorative toppings.

 

It is essential to know which type of concrete to use before jumping into a construction project, The wrong concrete will cause problems for construction projects, and you may need to start the project over.

 

How Can Concrete Be Protected From Damaging Materials?

 

Most materials, like water, do not affect concrete once it’s set. Some substances, like acid, can damage concrete. If acid finds its way onto concrete, it will start deteriorating if the chemical is not removed.

 

To prevent this, use first-rate concrete and the best chemical resistance when using your cement mixers. Protective treatments are products that can be added during mixing to prevent substances from affecting concrete.

 

Furthermore, the chemical resistance of concrete can be increased by using a specific cement type. For example, sulfate-resistant cement is used to prevent damage caused by sulfate. Additionally, a low water-cement ratio, incorporating suitable aggregates, and integrating water and air will prevent some damage.

 

Moreover, chemical formulations, like coatings and sealants, protect concrete from environmental factors. Ask manufacturers, material suppliers, and formulators for recommendations when using these products.

 

If you want more information about strengthening your concrete during the mixing process, contact us at B&S Commercial Power. We have been selling cement mixers for years and will continue doing our best to help our clients produce the best concrete possible.