Remote Jobsites
Remote Jobsites
(OP)
We occasionally have projects that are far from batch plants, exceeding a 90 minute travel time. It seems like we always have the idea of adding the water at the site, but it's extremely difficult to implement. Why can't the mixer trucks have the exact amount of water for the mix in a tank or something, put it in with the dry ingredients at the site, mix it up and place it? It's still a batch plant employee, so the "chain of custody" is intact.
There must be a good reason, but I can't figure it out.
There must be a good reason, but I can't figure it out.





RE: Remote Jobsites
My sister works for one of the few concrete companies who will sell them component materials; the trucks can only mix a yard or so at a time, so they don't compete directly with the big trucks.
I'd bet somebody is working on a larger version as we speak...
Mike Halloran
Pembroke Pines, FL, USA
RE: Remote Jobsites
When I has in college, I spent 4 summers (5 year curriculum) as a concrete inspector and often had to be at the plant at 3:00 AM to grab samples, especially if there was rain the night before because the storage was on the ground in very large piles and lower parts were totally saturated around the underground conveyors to the elevated plant that only had 100 tons or so that was drained. There are unique situations where you cannot accurately predict the amount of water needed unless you leave the choice up to the driver of the truck.
I inspected concrete in plants and on site for 4 summers while in college and I realize there are no absolutes just because there is a specification. - It was a great experience. I got of hours and overtime since I worked the big jobs over well over 500 yards with an early start (3:00AM for me and 6:00 0r 7:00 AM for the pour) and then the smaller jobs later to give me plenty of 12-16 hour days. There was no way, I could have made a test procedure for a job that gave nothing better than a shot in dark for the water to be carried, but the modern trucks with metered water is an improvement for records that must be recorded.
Dick
Engineer and international traveler interested in construction techniques, problems and proper design.
RE: Remote Jobsites
RE: Remote Jobsites
I also wonder if further latitude will be given to the drivers. Interesting to note that none are engineers, but they have the last say on the delivered quality of the product. Too many are cowboys in my opinion.
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)
RE: Remote Jobsites
Further ASTM C94 time starts upon first introduction of water to cement....for SSD aggregate conditions, that's when the cement hits the aggregate.
RE: Remote Jobsites
RE: Remote Jobsites
Mike McCann, PE, SE (WA)