Using concrete mixers to create structures makes the process a lot easier. The same thing can be said for the rehabilitation and repair of concrete structures. Mixers are used to produce concrete efficiently and quickly and this helps simplify this process. Keep reading to learn a little more about how mixers contribute to the upkeep of concrete structures.

 

If you are in the business of concrete structure repair and rehabilitation and would like to start using mixers to help with the process, contact B&S Commercial Power. We will help you find mixers that will make enough concrete for your projects.

 

Concrete Mixers: The Rehabilitation And Repair Of Concrete Structures

 

When it comes to building concrete structures there are a few failures and defects that can happen, but luckily there are also various techniques that can be used to repair these failures and defects. Concrete is extremely versatile, and this material has many advantages compared to steel and other commonly used construction materials. Despite this, it is not uncommon to come across a few defects in the concrete structure.

 

These defects include cracks, reinforcement exposure, concrete spalling, excessive deflections, or other visual signs of damage. In some cases, if the reinforcement begins to corrode, this can trigger cracks in concrete, as well as negatively affect the strength of the final product.

 

Sometimes it will be that the structure will need to be taken apart to repair affected zones or the replacement of the whole structure. There are a few reasons why there are failures or defects present in concrete structures. These include:

 

• This can be a result of faulty design and detailing and incorrectly calculating the loading criteria of the structure.
• Structural weaknesses usually occur due to construction defects, how the interior is used and the use of substandard materials, negligence in quality control and supervision, and poor workmanship.
• These types of damages can also be caused by floods, fires, and other natural disasters.
• Chemical deterioration and marine environments can extremely affect the strength of concrete structures.
• Damages can be caused by abrasion, impact, wear and tear, dampness, etc.
• Concrete may move as a result of the settlement of the foundation and thermal expansion.

 

 

If you suspect that your concrete structure requires rehabilitation and repairs, it is best to hire a professional to diagnose and establish the cause, extent, and nature of the damage. Mixers can be used in most cases of concrete structure damage.

 

A correct diagnosis is important as an incorrect one can result in selecting incorrect materials and repair techniques. This will mean that you will probably have to have your concrete structure repaired again.

 

It may also be beneficial to have the serviceability of your concrete structure checked after the repairs have been done. An easy way to be sure that a concrete structure will need to be repaired includes:

 

• Defective design of the concrete structure.
• Failing to successfully execute the important components involved in working with concrete and poor workmanship.
• Bad weather and environmental conditions, chemical attacks, and structure ageing.

 

Concrete Mixers: What Techniques Can Be Used For Rehabilitation And Repairs Of Concrete Structures?

 

The technique that is used for rehabilitation or repairs of concrete structures will depend on the cause, the extent and nature of the damage, the function, and the importance of the structure of the necessary materials and facilitators available.

 

The individuals who facilitate the repairs should have a thorough knowledge of how the materials used will behave long-term. The way the repairs are done will also depend on the requirements. Some structures will only need superficial repairs or the whole structure will need to be replaced. There are three important groups involved in repairing techniques.

 

These groups are injections into cracks, honey-combed areas, or voids, surface treatment, and replacement and removal of damaged or defective materials. Furthermore, there have been a few new developments regarding the repair and restoration of damaged structures that involve following the techniques mentioned. These mixers can be used with these techniques to repair these structures.

 

Most of the time the material used for these repairs is cement-based because cement is the only active ingredient in concrete. Dry mixtures that have rich cement or grouting are suitable for sealing damaged areas as well as cracks. A high-pressure nozzle can be used to spray concrete or cement grouting directly from mixers, this technique is known as ‘shotcrete’ or ‘gunite’. This has proven to be effective in cases where large surface areas need to be prepared.

 

 

This method can be done with steel reinforcing mesh or steel fibres. Some of these repairs are done with a technique that uses resin. If resin is being used for concrete structure repairs a thorough understanding of this material’s chemical and physical properties is necessary. It is also important to know and understand how resin will perform after being integrated into a concrete structure, specifically when it comes to how the resin will perform over time and under unfriendly conditions.

 

Epoxy resin is commonly used in civil engineering and is used in the same way that concrete or grout would be used to fix cracks, repair concrete structures that have eroded, emergency bridge repairs, and chemically corroded columns, beams and aqueducts. Resin is also used for repairs and restoration when a high-strength, excellent adhesion, fast curing, and high chemical resistance are all needed. A very common resin that is used is adopted from epoxide.

 

Additionally, concrete durability can be increased on the surface by using different materials as applications. These materials should be waterproof, harden quickly and be resistant to chemical attacks. Surface treatments that are commonly used for concrete repairs include:

 

• Drying oils that include Tung or Linseed oil.
• Magnesium, zinc fluoride or sodium silicate.
• Epoxy paints.
• Neoprene paints and chlorinated rubber paints
• Silicon Fluoride treatments

 

Ready Mix Concrete Vs Manual Mixing

 

When it comes to the type of concrete being mixed, there are two types of concrete mixes. These two mixes include ready-mix concrete and traditional manual mixed concrete. Both types of concrete can be used for various projects.

 

 

Despite this, one type is more beneficial than the other. Continue reading to find out which one of these two is more beneficial. Ready-mix concrete is a type of concrete that has been produced at a plant and transported to a construction site while it has not fully hardened but is still ready for use.

 

Traditional manual mixed concrete is concrete that has been produced on the construction site where all the components are mixed according to the specific ratios needed for that project. There are a few differences between these two types of concrete. Let’s first focus on ready-mix concrete:

 

• Takes less time to be produced and it is delivered when it is ready to be used. This also saves space on construction sites because there is no need for mixers to be kept on site.
• No equipment is needed to stay on the construction site when making use of ready-mixed concrete.
• Construction companies will also save money on storage space, and this will allow for the free movement of the mixers delivering concrete.
• Using this type of concrete makes it easier to deliver concrete to multiple areas on construction sites.
• Using this type of concrete also makes it easier to achieve a consistent quality since all the concrete mixing will be done under factory monitoring.
• Using batching plants to receive concrete is also perfect for construction projects that require a large amount of concrete.

 

When it comes to choosing how you would like your concrete to be mixed, it will come down to the needs of your projects. Now to focus on the manual mixing of concrete:

 

• Unfortunately, it does take longer to mix concrete on site and all the necessary steps must be followed meticulously.
• Equipment will have to be kept on site which will take up space that could be used for machinery. The tools needed for manual mixers may need to be kept on-site.
• Storage space will be necessary for sand, cement, and aggregate. If the tool for manual mixers is kept on-site, it will also be necessary to keep mixers in an enclosed storage area.
• The mixing of concrete will have to be done on-site. The mixing can also only be done when it is needed. Concrete cannot stand around too long as this can make it difficult to work with.
• Unfortunately, in most cases high-quality concrete can only be consistently achieved when there is consistent monitoring.
• This type of mixing is perfect for smaller projects that only need a small amount of concrete for the project.

 

Before you decide which type of mixing processes you would like to use for your projects ensure that you have made note of the needs of your projects. Mixers are also an excellent option.

 

 

Benefits Of Having Mixers On-Site

 

It may be confusing trying to decide if it would be better to have concrete mixers on site or just have concrete delivered to your construction sites. There are a lot of benefits to having mixers on construction sites. These benefits include:

 

• The job can get done faster and take less effort. Mixing concrete by hand is not an easy thing to do. Having mixers on hand will help save a lot of time on construction sites which will allow you to focus on other tasks.
• It is also more environmentally friendly to have your mixers on-site. If you do this means that you will not have to transport concrete from batch plants that are usually found in remote areas.
• Mobile mixers can also be customised to meet the needs of your worksite. The colour, admixtures and water of the concrete can be modified for each batch made without worrying.
• You will have the ability to mix concrete whenever necessary. Organising for your concrete to be mixed at a batching plant can feel like a challenge. If you have concrete mixers on site, there will be no need for you to arrange transportation.
• You will not need to hire a lot of manual labourers. If you do not own concrete mixers or do not use a batching plant, you can rent concrete mixers.
• There will be an improvement in the health and safety of workers. Manually mixing concrete can cause various health problems. This is a task that requires physical work. This impacts the shoulder and back muscles of workers and can cause injury.
• You will also have a neater construction site to work with. Using concrete mixers means that you will not have to deal with a big cement mess on your construction sites. All the materials needed can be placed in the concrete mixers.