Ready-mixed concrete

The British Ready-Mixed Concrete Association (BRMCA), represents the interests of ready-mixed concrete producers within the Quarry Products Association. This occurs alongside QPA's other sector organisations representing aggregates, asphalt, lime, silica sand, mortar and slag.

BRMCA's remit covers generic issues such as technical, environmental, health and safety, plus promotion of building systems using ready-mixed concrete. The marketing of ready-mixed and in-situ concrete solutions is undertaken principally by The Concrete Centre.

Ready-mixed concrete is delivered in modern trucks with rotating barrels which keep the concrete workable by agitation. The concrete is actually 'mixed' at the ready-mix plant. The ready-mixed concrete trucks are often wrongly described as cement mixers or cement trucks.

Ready-mixed concrete from BRMCA members is made 'offsite' at one of about 1,300 plants across the country. The average delivery distance is less than 15 miles, saving on the cost and environmental implications of transportation. At the site, the 'plastic' product is poured into purpose-made moulds (formwork), and with good site supervision this results in minimal waste. The use of Modern Methods of Construction (MMC) such as tunnel form, insulating concrete formwork and post-tensioned frame elements result in fast and economical construction.

A range of issues being worked on by BRMCA
  • The impact of the recently adopted BS EN 206-1 and BS 8500 and resolving any associated problems.
  • Providing guidance on identity testing.
  • Waste/recycled/recovered materials.
  • Revision of EN 206-1.
  • Specification by performance.
  • Residual parts of BS 1881.
  • Assessment of strength in structures (potential strength).
  • Environmental profiling with BRE.
  • Acoustic envelope testing for in-situ systems.
  • Defining in-situ systems for residential buildings as efficient MMC (Modern Methods of Construction).
 



Further information


  

For more information on ready-mixed concrete visit the British Ready-mixed Concrete Association (BRMCA) website.