Semi dry concrete mix for footings?

rssteve · 12 Jun 2019

Just had a delivery of 1.75m3 of p180 concrete mix for my trench fill footings for a porch. I was surprised when it turned up as a semi dry mix on a tipper lorry, I was expecting a mixer with a shute. Luckily the driver managed to tip it straight in but it did seem harder to level than a wet mix. The driver said it was cheaper this way on a small load.

My only real question is, is this how it is done sometimes and could it cause any problems down the line?

Charlie George · 12 Jun 2019

Never seen concrete used that way for foundations, only used semi dry for haunching kerbs and the like and wet it in situ, it won't set the same as wet concrete,as for problems no idea but its not ideal.

Notch7 · 12 Jun 2019

Provided the w/c ratio was high enough to hydrate the cement, it should be ok.

Very dry mixes are weaker due to tensile stresses.

Ive never heard of concrrte delivered this way........doesnt sound correct to me.

tomfe · 13 Jun 2019

rssteve said:
The driver said it was cheaper this way on a small load.

Did you get it cheaper? Mini mix will easy come out for 1.75m³ so would volumetric.

1.75m³ is about 4 tonne did it come on a 3.5 tonne lorry or 10 tonne?

Just all seems a bit odd. But if it was from a reputable company and you've got your ticket then I am sure it'll be fine...

oldbutnotdead · 13 Jun 2019

I've done the same (for a garage floor)- cost about £50/cube (cheapest onsite mix then was about £105). Place was only a mile from the mixing plant...

^woody^ · 13 Jun 2019

They can't have it wet when it comes on a flat back, as all the water would shake out on the journey. It's ok for screed but not concrete.

Concrete needs to be wet to make it easy to place, and allow it to settle with no voids.

rssteve · 13 Jun 2019

It was cheaper than a lorry mixed load, 239 vs 181. Not much choice where i live. Company has been trading since 1977 and well respected locally. It actually went in really well and wasn't that hard to level for a small 5m footing. Seemed fairly solid this morning. I'm certain any voids were filled as it was trying to escape around a soil pipe which passes through the footing which only a small gap.

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Semi dry concrete mix for footings?

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