Ready-mixed concrete is an essential building material and readily available on demand throughout the United Kingdom. It is a versatile material where designers and suppliers can work together to specify a concrete optimised for its intended use and minimise environmental impact.
Ready-mixed concrete is essential to a modern society that requires sufficient and reliable housing, water, health, energy, transport, education, retail, commercial and industrial facilities. As sustainability becomes increasingly important, the positive role that ready-mixed concrete can play is better understood and its vital contribution to society recognised.
Ready-mixed concrete is a mixture of coarse and fine aggregates, cement and water. By its nature ready-mixed concrete is produced locally and is delivered just in time to construction sites where it can be cast into any conceivable size or shape. Hardened plain concrete can withstand substantial compressive loads but most concrete is reinforced to enhance its load-carrying capacity in tension and flexure. With the appropriate design, planning and detailing in-situ reinforced concrete is the means the largest, longest, and highest structures, buildings or essential infrastructure is realised.
BRMCA members hold product conformity certification. This is either: QSRMC, the BSI Kitemark Scheme or equivalent product conformity certification based on product testing and surveillance. The QSRMC and the BSI Kitemark Schemes are accredited by the United Kingdom Accreditation Service (UKAS) for the relevant areas of product conformity certification. It is important to note that only those producers who have this high level of product conformity certification are permitted to supply designated concretes such as GEN, FND, PAV and RC.
AS part of the Mineral Products Association, BRMCA represents the interests of UK ready-mixed concrete producers. BRMCA lead in terms of service, innovation, resource efficiency, product development and liaison with contractors and clients. The remit covers technical guidance, British and European Standards, sustainability, health and safety, as well as industry legislation and liaison with government. The promotion of building systems using ready-mixed concrete is supported in association with other MPA Product Groups and The Concrete Centre.
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This guide is for construction site personnel to help them specify, order, receive, place, compact, finish and cure ready-mixed concrete. Most requirements of a concrete specification are derived off-site by a designer, or the designer specifies a Designated concrete where most of the requirements are pre-specified. Designated concretes can only be supplied by ready-mixed concrete companies who have a suitably high level of product conformity certification and so there is verification of the concrete delivered is consistent with that ordered.