Experimental Study on Ready-Mix Concrete: Case Study

Abstract

Ready-mix concrete (RMC) in Tunisia is becoming more and more in demand in the civil engineering sector thanks to its qualities of handling in the fresh state and resistance in the hardened state, this composite material must respect the quality-price ratio. A RMC with a minimal cost is the object of our work. This research is part of the opening of higher education on professional life, where we optimized the formulation of a RMC. This work has 3 axes. In the first place the resources in building materials were characterized, namely various samples of sand, gravel, cement and water. Subsequently, the adjuvant-cement ratio (A/C) was optimized. Finally, the workability of the concrete as well as its mechanical aptitude at various ages 7, 14 and 28 days were characterized. These examinations have resulted in an appropriate formulation for any type of resource that varies according to the provenance of the quarries (gravel and sand), the effect of the plasticizer-water reducer is found for a very interesting A/C ratio, the mechanical tests for different ages are also conclusive.