byAlma Abell

Before beginning any construction project, builders must understand the requirements and constraints of their jobs. The size and location of the project are, of course, crucial variables, but the type of construction is also crucial to the project. Nearly every type of construction requires some form of concrete for its stability or foundation. Though concrete is a universally used construction material, it is not all the same and does not all serve the same exact function.

Concrete vs. Cement

Though most people assume they are the same, concrete and cement are not synonymous. Concrete is the product of a mixture of sand, gravel or rock, water, and cement. Cement comes in various forms and is very important to determining the type of concrete that will be created. Customers who intend to build a dam will want to use the type of cement that is resistant to the heat conducted by water. Those who need their project to support a full load quickly will want to use the type that achieves its strength within one week. There are also cement types for general purpose, for expected heat build up, for resisting chemical degradation, and for air-entrained concrete. Customers must understand what their project will require and what type of cement (and therefore concrete) will best fulfill that job.

How Concrete is Delivered

Many people choose to have ready mixed concrete delivered to their construction project. This means that the ingredients for the concrete are mixed together at a plant and then transported via truck to the site. This method of delivery can be a little tricky because once the sand, gravel, water, and cement are mixed they become more vulnerable to environmental effects, like water and heat, during transportation. The closer a construction project is to the concrete plant the easier it will be to have concrete of the correct consistency delivered. The amount of ready mixed concrete can also pose a challenge for builders as they must determine exactly how much they need prior to ordering. This does not allow for a lot of flexibility once the job develops and there is a possibility that builder will be left with too much or too little concrete. Some versions of ready mixed concrete are mixed on site rather than at the plant. With this technology, the four ingredients are transported separately and then mixed together exactly as needed to fit the customer’s need. This allows the customer to get the exact amount and type or types he needs without the worry of difficult transportation. This method is available for concrete and cement in Hertfordshire.

Concrete Express is a top provider of mix on site concrete & cement in Hertfordshire. Their concrete is mixed by using volumetric mixers, to give their users a great mix every time.