Construction Plant Lecture Notes

Prepared by Eric
Classes: DBCE/CBT 19J
Tilting Drum Mixer

These are smaller capacity mixers. It can be manually operated or consist of a small engine

operated by diesel or electric power. Aggregates, cement and water are fed into the drum by hand.

The rotating drum consist of a mixing blade that that mixes the concrete by lifting, combing and

agitation. One drum is set at rotation of about 20-25 rotations per minute. The drum is the tilted

downwards for discharging. Generally, the plant is referred as tilting mixer because it can tilt along

its vertical axis, unlike non-tilting mixer.

3) Non-Tilting Drum Mixer

It has a single drum rotating about the horizontal axis. The drum is mounted on rollers and is turned by a

chain passing round the drum and a wheel driven from the engine. The blades inside the drum are arranged

to work the concrete towards the discharge end of the mixer in order to provide a rapid rate of discharge.

Discharge is achieved by manually operated chute.

4. Reversing Drum Mixer

Mixers in this category rotates in one direction for mixing and in the reverse direction for

discharging. The drum has two set of blades one for mixing and other for discharging. The

reversing drum mixers give efficient mixing and are particularly suitable for dry mixers. The

concrete is also discharged quickly.

6. Continuous Mixer

Are used mainly for large construction works such as drums. Conveyors to the mixing drum from

where the concrete emerges as a continuous stream feed the cement and aggregates.
7. Pan Mixer /Forced Mixer

Pan mixer are capable of mixing stiff and lean concrete efficiently. They are widely used for precast

concrete. The rotating pan is fitted with a mixing star of cast wheel paddles mounted eccentrically

to the pan. The star rotates same direction as the pan or in counter direction but in a greater speed.

8. Transit Mixer

Transit mixer is a piece of equipment that is used for transporting concrete/ mortar or ready-mix

material from a concrete batching plant directly to the site where it is to be utilized. Transit mixer

is loaded with dry material and water. The interior of the transit drum is fitted with a spiral blade.

Spiral blade is able to move in two directions. During clockwise movement drum is charged with
concrete and in counter clockwise direction concrete discharge out from the transit drum. Concrete

mixing drum ensures the liquid state of materials through rotation of the drum about its own axis.

Transit Mixer

Also remember, concreting involves three processes, namely mixing, placing and transporting.
For instance, we may choose to use the concrete pumps for transporting the concrete for the
following advantages.

Advantages of using Concrete Pumps

i. Concrete pumping is a faster and easier method to complete a project

ii. Concrete pumping can reduce labour costs

iii. It reduces site congestion as there are less construction workers

iv. You can get concrete to high rising and far reaching places

v. Pumping of concrete is done before the concrete starts to set, improving concrete strength

vi. Pipelines can travel wherever you want them to go

vii. It provides a steady work pace, increasing productivity

viii. Several pumps can pour simultaneously for larger projects