Making concrete, a composite construction material, involves a sequence of carefully managed procedures using specific equipment at a concrete or ‘batching plant’, which is usually temporarily situated at a close proximity to a construction site. Batching plant managers often hire boilers from a specialist boiler hire company to ensure the batching process is successful: the concrete produced is correctly formed, so that, once used in building projects it will not crack, move, shrink or collapse.

Concrete batching is the process of weighing, measuring and introducing the various ingredients into a mixer for a batch of concrete, in the right quantities and at the correct temperature.

Concrete – some background

The word concrete comes from the Latin word "concretus" (meaning compact or condensed).

Concrete was used for construction in many ancient structures. Since Roman times, concrete has been used intermittently throughout history. Famous concrete structures include the Burj Khalifa - the world's tallest building, the Hoover Dam, and the Panama Canal.

Concrete is used widely for making architectural structures, foundations, walls, pavements, bridges, motorways, roads, runways, dams, reservoirs, pipes, footings for gates, fences, poles, and even boats.

How concrete is made

Concrete is composed of the following components:

• Cement

• Aggregate (generally a coarse gravel or crushed rocks, such as limestone or granite, along with a fine aggregate, such as sand)

• Water

Researchers have experimented with the addition of other materials to create concrete with improved properties, such as higher strength or electrical conductivity. Also, sometimes concrete is reinforced with wire or fibre meshing.

About concrete batching plants

A batching plant can consist of different types of:

• Mixers

• Cement batchers

• Aggregate batchers and bins

• Conveyors

• Radial stackers

• Cement bins and silos

• Water tanks

• Heaters

• Chillers

• Other tools and machines (such as dust collectors)

During both hot and cold weather batching processes, it is essential that the water is added to the concrete mix in the right quantity and at the right temperature. The water is heated, usually via a 100Kw boiler, and then pumped directly into the 6,000 litre storage tank at the batching plant. To achieve a constant source of temperature-controlled water, a plant would not need to invest in a boiler. Water temperature affects fresh and hardened properties of concrete, as well as its thermal cracking potential. Water intake cannot be too cold as the concrete will not be accepted at source for laying procedures. A hired boiler would suffice – some plants may be temporary and therefore not require a permanent source of heat.

No extra capital expenditure for concrete suppliers

Concrete batching in all seasons has become increasingly sought after due to build projects schedules and pressure on developers and construction companies to deliver on time. This has caused concrete suppliers to meet the demand on their product by ensuring they can guarantee product quality during all extreme weather conditions. Specialist boiler hire companies undoubtedly play a vital role in allowing concrete suppliers to do this, while avoiding the unnecessary capital expenditure that investing in a permanent boiler, pumps, and other ancillary equipment would involve.