Mixing of Concrete

MIXING OF
CONCRETE
The aim of mixing of concrete is to produce a homogenous, consistent
and uniform coloured concrete. This means that the different constituents of
concrete be uniformly distributed throughout the concrete mass and the
cement-water paste should completely coat the aggregates.
The mixing action of concrete thus involves two operations:
I. A general blending of different particle sizes of the ingredients to be

uniformly distributed throughout the concrete mass.
II. A vigorous rubbing action of cement paste on to the surface of the

aggregate particles.
There are two methods of mixing concrete:
(1)Hand mixing
(2) Machine mixing.
 HAND MIXING
Mixing concrete by hand is hard work. While you can mix the ingredients
in a wheelbarrow, it's usually easier to mix them on a clean, flat surface, such
as an old sheet of plywood, or in a mortar box (also called a concrete barge).
When mixing concrete by any method, make sure to protect yourself by
wearing long sleeves, long pants, rubber boots, heavy waterproof gloves, and
safety goggles. If concrete accidentally spatters on your skin, wash it off
immediately because it causes burning irritation.For small and unimportant
jobs concrete is mixed by hand using shovels. As the mixing cannot be
thorough and enceinte, it is desirable to add 10 per cent more cement to cater
for the inferior concrete produced by this method.
The following operations are involved in hand mixing.
1. Test the water content of the sand. The sand used to make the
concrete should be wet, but not too wet. As illustrated in figure1, sand
with the correct amount of water will hold a ball shape without wetting
your hand, very wet sand will make a ball but "leak" water, while dry
sand will crumble and not hold a shape. If the sand is too dry, wet it
thoroughly using a garden hose the day before beginning work. Always
cover your sand pile with a sheet of plastic when you're not working, to
prevent the sand from drying out.
2. Measure the ingredients. For mixing purposes, you can measure

proportions by the bucket, by the shovelful, or with a measuring box, like
the one shown in figure 2. A measuring box is built to hold exactly 1 cubic
foot of dry ingredients, as opposed to a mortar box in which wet and dry
ingredients are combined. Use the same amount of each ingredient for
each batch. Careful measuring ensures correct proportions. Place the
materials in layers on top of each other, beginning with the gravel, then the
sand, and finally the cement.
FIGURE-2
3. Mix the dry ingredients. If you're working on a flat surface or mixing the
ingredients in a wheelbarrow, use a mason's hoe to combine the dry
ingredients thoroughly before adding the water. When using a mortar box,
you can either premix the dry ingredients or mix them together as you add
the water as shown in the figure 3.
FIGURE-3
4. Add the water. Whether you use a premix bag or a combination of

separate ingredients, the water used to make the concrete must be
clean enough to drink. Start with a gallon of water and keep track of the
amount you use so that you can add the same amount to subsequent
batches. Be sure to mix all ingredients thoroughly, scraping any
unmixed cement and aggregates from the sides and bottom of the box
or pile. The concrete mix should be an even colour and have the same
consistency throughout.
5. If you're mixing on a flat surface, make a shallow depression in the centre

of the dry mix using your hoe; then pour in a little water (Fig. 4). Add the
water slowly. Mix thoroughly by pulling dry material from the edges into the
water. Continue to add water until the mix reaches the proper consistency
not crumbly, not sloppy. If using a mortar box, place the dry materials so
that they fill about two-thirds of the box (from one end), leaving the rest of
the box empty (on the side nearest the forms). Add water to the empty end,
and then pull the dry materials into the water, mixing them together as you
go. Continue adding water in small amounts while turning over the mix until
it reaches the proper consistency.
FIGURE-4
6. Test the mix. You can tell if the concrete has too little or too much water by
using the blade of your hoe or shovel to make ridges in the concrete. If the
mix is too dry, you won't be able to make distinct ridges; if the mix is too
soupy, the ridges won't hold their shape (you'll also notice water seeping
out around the edges of the pile). In a proper mix, the ridges will hold most
of their shape.
FIGURE-5
 MACHINE MIXING
Machine mixing is adopted for big projects where large quantities of
concrete are required are continuously. Machine mixing is not only efficient,
but also economical, when the quantity of concrete to be produced is large.
Concrete mixers are classified as under:
1. According to the operating conditions:

i. Batch mixers
ii. Continuous mixers.
2. According to the principle of mixing:
i. Gravity type
ii. Type with forced mixing.
3. According to the condition of use:
i. Stationary concrete mixers

ii. Portable concrete mixers.
 Batch Mixers:
In this case, the mixers are charged with materials in batches. Each new
batch will be charged in to the drum of the mixer only when the preceding
batch has been discharged. Batch mixers are used for normal concrete works.
They produce concrete batch by batch with time interval.
Batch mixers can be classified in to three main types. They are,
a) Tilting type
b) Non-tilting type
c) Reversing type
As per IS: 1971-1985, concrete mixers are designated by a number

representing its nominal mixed batch capacity in litres. The following are the
standardized sizes of three types:
i. Tilting type : 85 T, 100 T, 140 T, 200 T

ii. Non-tilting type: 200 NT, 280 NT, 375 NT, 500 NT, 1000 NT
iii. Reversing type: 200 R, 280 R, 375 R, 500 R, 1000 R
The letters T denote tilting type, NT denote non-tilting type and R denote
reversing type.
 TILTING TYPE CONCRETE MIXTURE
 NON TILTING TYPE CONCRETE MIXTURE:-

The non-tilting type mixture essentially consists of a cylindrical drum with two
circular openings at the ends and blades fixed inside the drum. The drum
rotates about a horizontal cannot be tilted. The mixer is loaded through a
central opening at one end of drum and, after mixing, the concrete is
discharged through the opening at the other end by a chute. Owing to a rather
slow rate of discharge, the concrete is sometimes susceptible to segregation.
In particular, the Iarger size aggregate may tend to stay in the mixer. Hence
the discharge may initially consist of mortar and then as a collection of a large
size coated aggregate. However it is worthwhile to check the performance of
the mixer for a particular type of mix before it is actually used.
 REVERSING TYPE CONCRETE MIXTURE:-
Reversible concrete mixer, Reversible Drum Mixer are strong well-engineered piece
of construction equipment which is meant for carrying mixing mortar from batch
plant directly to the place where it is to be poured. It has a wide range of
applications specially used in construction of canals, bridges, highways, dams, multi
storied & industrial buildings, factories and for ready mixed concrete works.
Reversible Mixer drum is rotating on well align heavy duty gear ring guided by three
roller for smooth rotation. Its compact design is easy for transportation. Rotation of
the concrete drum, reversed is auctioned by push on the electric control
panel.
 CONTINUOUS TYPE CONCRETE MIXTURE:-
The second category of mixers is continuous mixers. As the name indicates,

the materials are continuously fed into the mixer at the same rate as the
concrete is discharged. They are usually non-tilting drums with screw-type
blades rotating in the middle of the drum. The drum is tilted downward toward
the discharge opening. The mixing time is determined by the slope of the drum
(usually about 150). These mixers are used for applications that require a short
working time, long unloading time, remote sites (not suitable for ready-mix)
and/or small deliveries. A major use of these types of mixers is for low slump.
 STATIONARY CONCRETE MIXTURES:-
A concrete mixing plant is a huge set up of machines meant to combine

cement, aggregates such as sand or gravel, and water to form concrete.
Concrete mixing plants apart from various other equipment’s also uses a
revolving drum to mix the components. Concrete mixers may be mobile or
stationary. Its size range from portable mixer to heavy industrial mixing plant.
Stationary plant-mounted mixer mixes the concrete before it is discharged into

a truck mixer. Revolving drums, conveyor and diesel or electric powered
engines are used in this plant. The truck mixer is used primarily as an agitating
haul unit at a central mix operation. Dump trucks or other non-agitating units
are sometimes used for low slump and mass concrete pours supplied by
central mix plants.
 PORTABLE TYPE CONCRETE MIXTURE:-
The name says it all. Portable cement mixer can be transported from one site
to another with ease. Making it the most commercialized concrete mixer out
there. That also means that they are the most cement mixers been abused
and over worked. This is something you may want to consider when buying
these types of cement mixers. One of the main advantages of this type of
concrete mixer is that you don’t need to add extra water for the mixing
process. This is the type of cement mixers that you would use for a typical
house project. The rotation of the concrete mixture is powered by means of
electricity. The lever allows the concrete/mortar to be tipped into
a wheelbarrow.

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MIXING OF

The mixing action of concrete thus involves two operations:

I. A general blending of different particle sizes of the ingredients to be

II. A vigorous rubbing action of cement paste on to the surface of the

There are two methods of mixing concrete:

(2) Machine mixing.

2. Measure the ingredients. For mixing purposes, you can measure

4. Add the water. Whether you use a premix bag or a combination of

5. If you're mixing on a flat surface, make a shallow depression in the centre

Concrete mixers are classified as under:

1. According to the operating conditions:

2. According to the principle of mixing:

3. According to the condition of use:

i. Stationary concrete mixers

As per IS: 1971-1985, concrete mixers are designated by a number

i. Tilting type : 85 T, 100 T, 140 T, 200 T

 TILTING TYPE CONCRETE MIXTURE

 NON TILTING TYPE CONCRETE MIXTURE:-

 REVERSING TYPE CONCRETE MIXTURE:-

The second category of mixers is continuous mixers. As the name indicates,

 STATIONARY CONCRETE MIXTURES:-

A concrete mixing plant is a huge set up of machines meant to combine

Stationary plant-mounted mixer mixes the concrete before it is discharged into

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