Learn how to plan mixer placement, casting direction, and material staging to reduce rehandling, protect fresh UHPC, and keep placement operations moving efficiently.
When creating a site plan for an ultra-high performance concrete placement, the mixing operations should be as close to bridge as feasible. Position the mixer on the higher side of bridge, and plan to cast fresh material from the farther, lower side of the bridge up to the nearer, higher side of the bridge. This can prevent workers or mobile concrete buggies from disturbing freshly cast areas before they are set. If there is a negligible grade across the bridge, this process can be achieved by setting up on either side.
If using a high shear mixer, ensure the mixer discharge shoot faces into the work zone. Mobile concrete buggies will need to easily access the discharge shoot, so also consider levelness and height of the mixer set up. For a ready mix truck, the mixer position can be more flexible as the discharge shoot on the back of the truck is adjustable.
When UHPC materials are delivered, place the supersacks in a location that is conducive to loading the mixer. Premix supersacks will need to be craned to the top of the mixer and should be placed to avoid craning over other work zones. Pallets of admixtures and fibers can be placed on the high shear mixer platform or near the ready mix truck.