(a) Measuring Ingredients: Methods of measurement of the various ingredients should be used which will secure at all times separate and uniform measurements of cement, fine aggregate, coarse aggregate and water.
(b) Machine Mixing: The mixing should be done in a batch machine mixer of a type which will insure the uniform distribution of the materials throughout the mass, and should continue for the minimum time of 1½ minutes after all the ingredients are assembled in the mixer. For mixers of 2 or more cubic yards capacity, the minimum time of mixing should be 2 minutes. Since the strength of the concrete is dependent on thorough mixing, a longer time than this minimum is preferable. It is desirable to have the mixer equipped with an attachment for automatically locking the discharging device so as to prevent the emptying of the mixer until all the materials have been mixed together for the minimum time required after they are assembled in the mixer. Means should be provided to prevent aggregates being added after the mixing has commenced. The mixer should also be equipped with water storage, and an automatic measuring device which can be locked if desired. It is also desirable to equip the mixer with a device recording the revolutions of the drum. The number of revolutions should be so regulated as to give at the periphery of the drum a uniform speed. About 200 feet per minute seems to be the best speed in the present state of the art.
(c) Hand Mixing: Hand mixing should be done on a water-tight platform and especial precautions taken after the water has been added, to turn all the ingredients together at least 6 times, and until the mass is homogeneous in appearance and color.
(d) Consistency: The materials should be mixed wet enough to produce a concrete of such a consistency as will flow sluggishly into the forms and about the metal reinforcement when used, and which at the same time can be conveyed from the mixer to the forms without separation of the coarse aggregate from the mortar. The quantity of water is of the greatest importance in securing concrete of maximum strength and density; too much water is as objectionable as too little.
(e) Retempering: The remixing of concrete and mortar that has partly reset should not be permitted.
Placing Concrete
(a) Methods: Concrete after the completion of the mixing should be conveyed rapidly to the place of final deposit; under no circumstances should concrete be used that has partly set.
Concrete should be deposited in such a manner as will permit the most thorough compacting such as can be obtained by working with a straight shovel or slicing tool kept moving up and down until all the ingredients are in their proper place. Special care should be exercised to prevent the formation of laitance; where laitance has formed it should be removed, since it lacks strength and prevents a proper bond in the concrete.
Care should be taken that the forms are substantial and thoroughly wetted (except in freezing weather) or oiled, and that the space to be occupied by the concrete is free from all debris. When the placing of concrete is suspended, all necessary grooves for joining future work should be made before the concrete has set.
When work is resumed concrete previously placed should be roughened, cleansed of foreign material and laitance, thoroughly wetted and then slushed with a mortar consisting of one part Portland cement and not more than 2 parts of fine aggregate.