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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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Specialty Concrete
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Ferndale Ready Mix & Gravel continues to meet the demands of the marketplace by providing mix designs specifically designed for unique or unusual needs. Whether you are looking for an economical and fast fill material (CDF), lightweight concrete, pervious concrete, SCC, waterproof concrete or LEED approved mix design, our quality control team has the resources to provide you with the appropriate mix for your situation. |
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PERVIOUS CONCRETE
Pervious Concrete is a cement based concrete with 15% to 25% void space. The voids are produced through the elimination of the fine aggregate generally found in typical concrete mixes. It is placed with standard paving equipment and compacted with rollers and it is recommended that a qualified Pervious Concrete Installer is used when placing it. Because of its low impact on the environment, Pervious Concrete can contribute toward LEED certification points. Pervious concrete driveways and parking lots allow rainwater back into the ground. Property owners and developers can also reduce runoff fees and enhance their bottom line by using pervious concrete because less site infracture is needed to handle rainwater runoff. Visit www.concreteparking.org for more information on how Pervious Concrete can work for you on your project. |
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LIGHTWEIGHT CONCRETE
Structural Lightweight Concrete is primarily used to reduce the weight or load of a concrete structure. Typical concrete weighs approximately 145 Lbs./Cu.Ft. while most of the Lightweight Concrete produced by Ferndale Ready Mix & Gravel will weigh 115 Lbs./Cu.Ft. Lightweight Concrete is produced by using a special manufactured aggregate that reduces the concrete’s overall weight. The overall strength of Lightweight Concrete is comparable to normal-weight concrete and requirements of 3,000 p.s.i. to 5,000 p.s.i. are very attainable. Lightweight Concrete in buildings also provides an increase fire rating safety and a higher R-value for improved insulation. |
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SCC (SELF CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE)
Self Consolidating Concrete (SCC) is a highly flowable, non-segregating concrete that can spread into place, filling the formwork and encapsulate reinforcement without any mechanical consolidation. Using a SCC mix allows for a faster placement rate and more uniform architectural surface finish as no mechanical vibration is needed. With a spread (slump flow) typically ranging from 26 to 30 inches, SCC mixes improve pumpability, consolidation around reinforcement and bond with the reinforcement. The high flowability of SCC is attained by using high-range water-reducing admixtures and not by adding extra water. |
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LEED CERTIFIED MIX DESIGNS
If your upcoming project is achieving a LEED Certification, we have a variety of mix designs that meet LEED requirements to assist your project in achieving the points you need for a potential certified, silver, gold, or even platinum rating. Through the use of recycled materials such as fly ash and ground granulated blast furnace slag, Ferndale Ready Mix & Gravel has the capability to design mixes that meet the specifications of your particular project while meeting the demands of LEED as established by the United States Green Building Council. To learn more about building green with concrete, the Portland Cement Association has developed a website at http://www.concretethinker.com/ where you can interact with and learn how concrete construction contributes positively towards keeping our environment protected while meeting the growing needs and demands of our society. |
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WATERPROOF CONCRETE
Waterproof Concrete has been a continual rise in use as engineers, architects, and contractors are requiring its use. Specially designed mixes along with a waterproofing admixture transforms porous concrete into a permanent, water-resistant barrier. By eliminiating the need for external waterproofing membranes, the Waterproof Concrete system saves construction time and costs. It provides maximum flexibility and can be used any time before, during or after the construction process. The admixture uses advance integral crystralines waterproofing technology to provide a powerful, guaranteed defense against water damage and the corrosion of steel reinforcements. When combined with water and concrete the waterproof admixture reacts with unhydrated cement particles to form millions of needle-like crystals. Over a period of weeks and months, these crystals grow, filling the naturally occurring pores and voids in concrete, and permanently blocking the pathways for water and waterborne contaminants. Later, if cracks form due to settling or shrinkage, incoming water triggers the crystallization process and additional crystals begin to grow, filling cracks and ensuring that the structure's waterproofing barrier is maintained and protected. Joints between walls and slabs can become completely sealed from water with the use of the appropriate grout and slurry compounds. When following the correct procedures and construction practices, a 25 year warranty may be achieved. To learn more about Waterproof Concrete, contact us at 360-354-1400, or by e-mail at concretesales@ferndalermg.com.
CDF (CONTROLLED DENSITY FILL or FLOWABLE FILL)
CDF is a low strength fill that hardens and develops into an excellent load-bearing soil. It is usually comprised of combinations of cement, water, fine aggregate and fly ash. CDF mixtures have numerous applications including bedding and backfill for utility trenches, paving sub-base, bridge abutment, and retaining wall backfill. It is also used in other void-filling applications such as abandoned tanks, tunnels, and sewer or water lines. |
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