If you have ever ordered concrete for a building project, you probably know about ready mixed concrete delivery. A truck arrives with pre-mixed concrete from a batching plant, and you need to use it before it starts setting. But there is another option that works differently — volumetric concrete.
This method brings a mobile concrete mixing plant directly to your site. Instead of arriving with concrete already mixed, the truck carries all the raw materials separately and mixes them fresh right where you need them. On-site mixing gives you far more control over your concrete delivery than traditional methods.
Understanding the Volumetric Concrete Mixing Process
A volumetric mixer truck is essentially a concrete factory on wheels. The vehicle contains separate compartments for each of the raw materials needed to make quality concrete: cement, sand, aggregates (small stones), water, and any special additives required for your specific mix.
When you are ready to pour, the operator sets the concrete mixing controls to your chosen specification. The raw materials then flow from their storage compartments into a mixing chamber at the rear of the truck. An auger (a rotating spiral device) blends everything together thoroughly, and fresh site concrete comes out ready to use.
The whole on-site mixing process happens in seconds. From dry ingredients going in to workable concrete coming out takes less time than making a cup of tea. This speed matters because concrete quality depends heavily on how fresh it is.
How the Technology Controls Your Mix
Modern volumetric concrete mixers use electronic controls to measure raw materials precisely. The operator enters the concrete grade you need — whether that is a standard C20 mix for paths or a stronger C40 for structural work — and the system automatically adjusts the proportions to produce quality concrete every time.
The key measurements the system tracks include:
| Component | What It Controls | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|
| Cement | Binding strength | Determines final concrete strength |
| Water | Workability | Affects how easily concrete flows and cures |
| Sand | Mix consistency | Fills gaps between larger aggregates |
| Aggregates | Bulk and strength | Provides structural body to the mix |
| Additives | Special properties | Controls setting time, frost resistance, colour |
This electronic precision means every batch comes out consistent. Unlike hand-mixing where proportions can vary, volumetric technology delivers the same quality every time.
The Step-by-Step Concrete Delivery Process
When you book volumetric concrete delivery, here is what typically happens. First, you discuss your project requirements with the supplier. They help you choose the right concrete grade based on what you are building — concrete pumping services can also be arranged if your site has difficult access.
On delivery day, the volumetric truck arrives at your site with its compartments fully loaded with raw materials. The driver checks access and positioning, then sets up ready for concrete mixing. When your team gives the go-ahead, on-site mixing begins.
The operator monitors the concrete as it pours, checking consistency and making small adjustments if needed. You can stop and start the pour as required — if you need a tea break or want to finish one section before starting another, the remaining ingredients simply stay in their compartments until you are ready.
Once you have received exactly the amount you need, the driver records the total delivered. You only pay for what you actually use, right down to fractions of a cubic metre.
Why Fresh Concrete Mixing Matters for Quality
Concrete starts a chemical reaction called hydration as soon as water meets cement. This reaction is what makes concrete harden and gain strength. The problem is that this process begins immediately and cannot be paused.
With traditional ready mixed concrete, the material is already reacting during transport. The journey from batching plant to site could take thirty minutes or more, eating into your working time. Hot weather speeds up the reaction, meaning summer deliveries can be especially challenging.
Volumetric concrete sidesteps this issue entirely. Because concrete mixing happens on site, you get the full working time — typically two to three hours depending on conditions. According to the Planning Portal guidance on foundations, adequate concrete is essential for transmitting building loads safely to the ground. Fresh, properly mixed quality concrete helps ensure your foundations meet these requirements.
Concrete Grades Available Through Volumetric Mixing
Volumetric trucks can produce the full range of standard concrete grades. The flexibility to change specifications mid-delivery makes them particularly useful for projects needing different mixes.
Common grades you might need include GEN 0 through GEN 3 for general applications, C20 for domestic paths and patios, C25 for driveways and floor slabs, C30 and C35 for structural foundations, and C40 or C45 for heavy-duty commercial work. The operator adjusts the mixing ratios for each grade automatically, so switching between specifications takes just moments.
Projects That Benefit Most
Volumetric concrete works brilliantly for certain types of project. Small to medium pours where traditional ready mixed concrete minimum orders would leave you with expensive waste are ideal candidates. Multi-phase projects that need site concrete on several different days also benefit, since the truck returns with fresh raw materials each time.
Sites with difficult access appreciate volumetric concrete delivery too. These trucks are often more compact than large ready mixed concrete vehicles and can navigate tighter spaces. Combined with concrete pumping services in Cambridgeshire, even the most challenging locations become manageable.
Jobs requiring multiple concrete grades in one session are another perfect fit. Instead of coordinating several separate deliveries, one volumetric truck handles all your concrete mixing in a single visit.
Getting the Most from Your Concrete Delivery
To make the most of volumetric concrete, preparation matters. Have your formwork ready and your team briefed before the truck arrives. Know approximately how much concrete you need, but do not worry about being exact — the pay-for-what-you-use model protects you from over-ordering.
Clear access for the truck is essential. While volumetric vehicles are often more manoeuvrable than standard concrete lorries, they still need room to operate safely. Check any height restrictions and ground conditions before delivery day.
Finally, discuss your project fully with your concrete supplier beforehand. They can advise on the right mix specifications, help you estimate quantities, and ensure your concrete delivery runs smoothly on the day. Good communication makes the whole on-site mixing process much simpler.
Volumetric concrete represents a practical solution for many building projects across Cambridgeshire and the surrounding counties. The combination of fresh concrete mixing, precise quantities, and flexible delivery gives you control over your quality concrete supply that traditional ready mixed concrete methods simply cannot match.
