Testing & Quality Control.

Ready Mixed Concrete works closely with General Testing Lab and other testing labs to insure quality control of all our concrete mixes. Inspectors from the lab are actively involved in the design and control of our concrete mixes. By working closely with these testing labs we increase our knowledge and understanding of concrete behavior. This allows us to offer concrete mixes that meet the specifications and required workability needs of our customers. Ready Mixed Concrete also has a full time staff of Quality Control personnel that have extensive concrete training and ACI certifications.
Ready Mixed Concrete believes that quality is achieved by understanding and improving our process. Our inspection team provides our companies with invaluable information that helps us with this never-ending quest.
Concrete Testing Cores

Associations.

Ready Mix Concrete Company is proud to be affiliated with the following associations. Each, in part, contributes to the preservation of our knowledge, design and production of quality materials for our customers.
Associated Builders and Contractors Inc
Associated Builders & Contractors, Inc. is a national association representing 23,000 construction and construction-related firms in 80 chapters across the United States.
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American Concrete Institute
The American Concrete Institute is a leading authority and resource worldwide for the development and distribution of consensus-based standards, education, training programs, and much more.
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Home Builders Association of Lincoln
The Home Builders Association of Lincoln (HBAL) provides many benefits to its 900+ members and offers numerous ways for members to grow their businesses.
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AGC Nebraska Chapter
The Association of General Contractors is the nation’s largest and oldest construction trade association, established in 1923.
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NRMCA
The mission of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association is to provide exceptional value for members by responsibly representing and serving the entire ready mixed concrete community through leadership, promotion, and education.
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NC AA
Since 1983, The Nebraska Concrete & Aggregates Association has worked diligently to represent the concrete industry through ongoing training and education, promotion, safety concerns, legislative oversight, and long-range planning efforts.
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Lincoln Builders Bureau
The Lincoln Builders Bureau was founded in 1932 by general contractors, architects and engineers who wanted a local plan room to house blue prints for sub contractors and suppliers.
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Helpful Technical Data.

Cold Weather Concrete
Hot Weather Concrete
Material Safety Data Sheet
Ready Mixed Concrete

Frequently Asked Questions.

Most often, no. Control joints are planned–for cracks which allow for movements caused by temperature changes and drying shrinkage. In other words, if the concrete does crack-you want to have an active role in deciding where it will crack and that it will crack in a straight line instead of randomly. If you suspect a problem with the concrete, have a member of our QC Dept inspect the concrete to determine if there is a problem.

The terms “cement”, “concrete” and “mortar” are used almost interchangeably by the layman in conversations about cement mixing. However, the terms refer to substances that have three distinct purpose:
Cement: The binding element in both concrete and mortar.
Concrete: A product composed of cement, sand and gravel or other coarse aggregate. When water is mixed in with this product, it activates the cement, which is the element responsible for binding the mix together to form one solid object.
Mortar: A product composed of cement and sand. When water is mixed in with this product, the cement is activated. Whereas concrete can stand alone, mortar is used to hold together bricks, stones or other such components.
Cement Mixing: Cement mixing, therefore, properly speaking, refers to using cement in the mixing of mortar or concrete.

Check out our Ready Mixed Concrete Calculator.

While there’s no “antifreeze” per se for concrete, there are admixes that can be added to the mix to accelerate the set to help compensate for cold temperatures. There are also admixes that can be used to slow the set for high temperatures. At hot or cold temperature extremes, special care must be taken to insure a quality product. For cold weather, this publication is very helpful (click here). Look to this publication for information on hot weather concrete (click here).

A general rule of thumb is that in moderate to warm weather, a minimum of one week is required before the concrete is opened to vehicular traffic. Pedestrian traffic may be allowed in 24-48 hrs, but that again is weather dependent. Use of a faster setting mix, or one richer in cement for a higher early strength, may allow quicker access. Contact your concrete supplier for an estimation of when to allow traffic based on the conditions when the concrete is placed.

Cement comprises 7-15% of total concrete volume. As an alkaline material, wet cement is caustic and can cause severe chemical burns to exposed skin and eyes. Thus, working with fresh concrete presents an obvious risk. That’s why it’s so important to always wear water-proof gloves, a long-sleeved shirt, full-length trousers and proper eye protection. If you have to stand in wet concrete, use water-proof boots that are high enough to keep concrete from flowing into them. Wash wet concrete, mortar, cement, or cement mixtures from your skin immediately. Flush eyes with clean water immediately after contact. Indirect contact through clothing can be as serious as direct contact, so promptly rinse out wet concrete, mortar, cement or cement mixtures from clothing. Always seek immediate medical attention if you have persistent or severe discomfort.

In addition to the caustic nature of cement, 95% of cement particles are smaller than 45 µm.–compared to tobacco smoke of approximately 3 µm–suggesting that the danger of inhalation is possible. Workers opening bags or sacks of cement and cement products should always wear a dust mask in addition to their regular safety attire.

Dispatch will want to know what mix design is required, how you intend to place it on the jobsite, the delivery address and time, approximately how long you will hold the truck, and any special instructions that are pertinent to your job (i.e.: Do you need expansion joint?, Does the concrete require Fibermesh?, Will this be colored concrete?, Will this be a C.O.D. order?, Do you have an account?)

While we don’t discourage homeowners from attempting their own concrete placement, bear in mind that concrete is, by nature, permanent. Heavy labor, considerable skill, and specialized tools are required to achieve a favorable result. Most times it is better to consult with a trained, reputable Concrete Contractor.

There are many methods available to place concrete in less accessible areas. They range from direct placement from the chute on the truck (usually around 15 ft reach) to the old, reliable wheelbarrow, to concrete pumps that can place concrete around obstacles several hundred feet away.You can usually find information on concrete pumping in the telephone directory, or search the internet “concrete pumps and pumping”.

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