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Concrete Division
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Concrete’s history dates back to the Roman Empire, and while the basic of concrete have largely remained the same, technological advances of today have made this product into one of the most versatile and used building materials available throughout the world.
The words “concrete” and “cement” are often confused. Cement is the gray powder that, when mixed with water, binds the sand and rock together to create concrete. Concrete is the world’s most prolific building material. This “liquid stone” can be shaped to make roads, bridges, dams, hospitals, and homes. It is extremely strong and durable. The longevity of concrete means less maintenance and replacement when compared to other building products. These properties contribute to the environmental value of concrete versus most any other building material available today.
Concrete consists of a mixture of aggregate (sand and gravel), cement and water. Concrete can be cast in almost any shape desired and once hardened it becomes a structural element. “Ready-mix” concrete is a prescribed mix of aggregate, cement, water and often other admixtures and products that enhance the properties and characteristics of concrete.
Ready Mix Concrete is sold by volume, not weight. The measurement standard for Ready Mix Concrete is the cubic yard. A ready mix plant makes concrete with a computerized batching system. As the ready mix plant weighs the dry materials (aggregate and cement), it begins to meter in the liquid materials (water and admixtures) into the mixer. Once the system achieves the correct weights for the dry materials, the plant discharges the dry materials into the mixer where they are blended with the liquid ingredients into a homogenous mix.
Ready Mix Concrete is typically delivered from a plant to the construction location with a specialty vehicle called a mixer truck. The most noticeable feature of a mixer truck is the large drum that houses the concrete. The inside of these drums are fitted with spiral blades. When the drum is rotated in one direction, the concrete is pushed deeper into the drum, agitating the mix and keeping it in its plastic state. When the drum rotates in the other direction, blades force the concrete out of the drum. Chutes are often used to guide the viscous concrete into place. A Mixer truck typically weights approximately 30,000 pounds and can carry roughly 40,000 pounds of concrete (10 cubic yards)
Here at Ferndale Ready Mix & Gravel, we have three primary concrete divisions:
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Industrial/Commercial Concrete
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FERNDALE
Ready Mix & Gravel, Inc.
Phone: 360-354-1400
144 River Road Lynden, WA 98264
Fax: 360-354-0486 | |
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Industrial/Commercial Concrete
Ferndale Ready Mix & Gravel continues to be the primary supplier of the industrial/commercial concrete needs within Whatcom County. Our three batch plants are strategically located to provide quick service throughout Whatcom County. From 200 yd3 to 25,000 yd3, we have the capability to meet the needs of any industrial or commercial project located throughout our service area. Each of the major industrial complexes in Whatcom County have mix designs approved from Ferndale Ready Mix & Gravel to use as foundations, slabs, fireproofing, pilings, or any other miscellaneous usage at their facilities. Our concrete has proven to be consistent, durable, and of high strength.
The 3,000 p.s.i. to 6,000 p.s.i. non-air entrained industrial concrete mix designs we have developed have achieved a Standard Deviation of 308 while our air entrained mix designs have achieved a Standard Deviation of 417. All our industrial/commercial mix designs meet the requirements for ASTM, ACI and the IBC. We have mix designs ranging from 100 p.s.i. CDF (flowable fill) to a 10,000 p.s.i. for special high strength needs. |
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THINGS TO CONSIDER WHEN SELECTING YOUR CONCRETE:
ADMIXTURES
When considering what type of concrete your project will require, the use of admixtures to increase the flowability and workability of the concrete mixes are often necessary to produce a high quality product. Water Reducers and Superplasticizers contribute immensely towards providing the contractor with a good flowing, workable mix. Admixture such as a Set-Delay Retarder or a Non-Chloride Accelerator can produce for the contractor a predictable concrete set time and improve their time management of their crew. Specialty admixtures like a Non-Shrink additive or a Water Proof Concrete admixture can also be achieved simply by asking our staff what the requirements are to produce these special mixes.
FIBER-REINFORCED CONCRETE
Synthetic Fibers such as Fibermesh 300 (Regular) when added to concrete may eliminate the need for a welded wire reinforcement. Fibermesh 150 (Stealth) helps control plastic shrinkage cracking that can occur during the concrete curing process. Both of these products reduce the square foot cost of your area compared to traditional welded wire fabric reinforcement. Synthetic Fibers also provide better impact resistance, abrasion resistance, reduces cracking, and provides an increase in flexural strength.
Steel Fibers such as Novocon or Novomesh are fast becoming the way for engineers and contractors to attain the structural reinforcement they need; yet save time, money, and work related injury claims. Steel fibers may reduce the square foot cost of your area compared to traditional rebar reinforcement or welded wire fabric reinforcement. Ferndale Ready Mix & Gravel has replaced over 1,000,000 square feet of traditional steel reinforcement with steel fibers. Traditional steel reinforcement as dense as a #4 rebar at 12 inch on center mat has been completely replaced with steel fiber. The blend of steel fibers along with synthetic fibers, as found in Novomesh, compliment each other by providing the structural reinforcement that is required while improving impact resistance, abrasion resistance, reduction of plastic shrinkage cracking, and providing an increase in flexural strength.
If you are in need of a potential concrete finisher or heavy foundation contractor, please feel free to contact us for a recommendation or reference. Check our common flatwork questions page to provide answers and information on frequent concrete flatwork questions.
If you have questions concerning our mix designs, you may contact us at 360-354-1400, or by email at concretesales@ferndalermg.com |
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