How to mix concrete: technology, basic rules

Concrete is a mortar that has found application in many construction processes both on an industrial scale and during individual construction. A small volume of such a solution can be mixed by hand, but for the preparation of large volumes of material it will certainly require a concrete mixer.

A variety of models and modifications of such units indicates their relevance in the current market. But, despite this popularity, many builders are still wondering about how to properly knead the concrete in the concrete mixer?

Components раствора и их пропорции

Before you answer the question of how to properly mix concrete in a concrete mixer, you should understand what this solution should be and what you need to prepare it.

The main components of solutions of this type are:

• Binder - cement;
• Fillers:

• Fine aggregate - sand;
• Large aggregate - crushed stone;

Council Depending on how the created solution will be used, fine or coarse aggregate or even both can be used in its preparation.

• Water;
• Specialized additives - plasticizers, antifreeze additives, etc.

Each component of the solution performs its role in the finished concrete: water provides it with viscosity, and aggregates contribute to the hardening of concrete products. Concrete prepared with your own hands, can have different compositions, the proportions of the main components depending on its brand.

The brand of material produced is usually determined by the type of cement used and the amount of such components as sand, water and crushed stone for concrete. So, for example, cement M400 can become a binder for a concrete mortar brand M250, and cement M500 can make it possible to knead concrete M350.

Council The amount of water in the solution should not exceed? masses of injected cement.

In addition to respecting the proportions, the quality of the created concrete can also be affected by the method of its mixing, and if you decide to use a concrete mixer, then you will definitely need to know how to properly prepare concrete in a concrete mixer.

Such units on the modern market are represented by two main types:

1. The device is a forced action;
2. The device is a gravitational action.

Gravity mixers today are the most compact and in demand for private construction. Such popularity is associated with a variety of volumes from 60 to 500 liters. The price of such units is low, which is another factor that ensures demand on the market.

Kneading technology

Regardless of what type of concrete mixer you acquire, the instructions for the production of the mixture remain unchanged, so in order to understand how to properly use the concrete mixer, it is enough to get acquainted with a single technology.

Fundamental rules

First you need to understand and remember the basic rules:

1. The solution components are loaded as their density decreases;
2. Water is added last;
3. The mixing process is carried out until the mass acquires a uniform color and a uniform consistency.

Kneading

The procedure for mixing the solution is carried out according to the following algorithm of actions:

1. Installation. Concrete mixer is placed on a fairly flat surface area in order to avoid excessive wear of rotating structural elements.

Council If necessary, you can lay wooden substrates under the supporting parts of the device to ensure the stability of the unit.

1. Training. In order to avoid sticking of the concrete mass to the walls and blades of the device, it is necessary before work to lubricate it with the mass created from water of cement and fine filler, machine oil or technical grease;
2. Loading. When loading components of the solution should be based on the nominal capacity of the mixer. Overloading can lead to deterioration of the mortar quality or failure of a concrete mixer;

Council In order to avoid overloading, many builders first put asleep coarse aggregate and water, and only then sand and cement.

1. Zames. The mixing process takes about 1-2 minutes after you load all the components. It is also undesirable to increase the mixing time of the solution, since a loss of plasticity is possible due to evaporation of the liquid;

Council While the drum rotates, do not insert any objects into it or tilt it. It is necessary to work in gloves.

1. Readiness control. In order to make sure that the mixture is ready, it is necessary to tilt the drum and move a small amount of it to a wheelbarrow or other container. The surface of the mass should be smooth. Using a spade, a number of ribs should be made, and if they persist, then the solution is ready for further use;

1. Unloading. Unloading the finished solution is made container, after which it is transferred to a stretcher or in a wheelbarrow for further transportation. Thus, the heavy fractions do not accumulate at the bottom, but are evenly distributed throughout the whole mass, which allows to increase the strength of the final product;

1. Washing. After the work with the solution is finished, the capacity of the mixer must be filled with water and rinsed well.

Professional recommendations

Besides the fact that you should know the technology that answers the question of how to properly knead the solution in a concrete mixer, you can also use the advice of builders, which will simplify the process.

• If in due time to change the broken and deformed blades, the process will be faster and the solution will be better;
• In order to make the seams more vivid and original, specialized dyes can be added to the concrete;
• Plasticizers allow you to saturate the mixture with oxygen, which will facilitate the work with it.

Finally

Anyone who is even an inexperienced builder will be able to mix the concrete solution with the help of a concrete mixer. The main thing in this process is to get acquainted with the mixing technology in advance and decide on the brand of concrete needed, and then it will only be necessary to strictly follow the technology and observe the proportions of the components of the solution.

And the video in this article will open for you even more subtleties and nuances of working with a construction mixer.