What is Volumetric Mixing?

What is Volumetric Mixing?

Developed in the 1960s, volumetric mixing is a technique for producing concrete on a mobile platform—right at the location where it is placed. These machines are typically truck-mounted batch plants, allowing for on-site concrete production.

How it Works

Each truck carries raw materials in separate compartments:

• Sand
• Stone
• Cement
• Water
• Admixtures

These materials are drawn to the back of the truck through metering gates and dropped into an auger, where they are mixed. Importantly, the materials remain separate until they enter the auger, ensuring fresh mixing on-site.

Advantages of On-Site Mixing

Volumetric mixing offers several key benefits:

• Minimal Waste: Mixing as needed means very little leftover material. Cleanup is simple—just a washout into a wheelbarrow or cleanout bag.
• Flexibility: Mixes can be adjusted on the fly. Unlike traditional drum trucks that can only add water, volumetric mixers can:
• Add or remove water
• Switch to a different mix
• Adaptability: Ideal for repair and renovation jobs where cleanliness and precision are crucial.
• Time Efficiency: No concerns about traffic delays or distance from the mixing plant. Concrete is always fresh.
• Weather Resilience: Less affected by hot summer conditions compared to traditional trucks.

Applications

Volumetric mixers are suitable for a wide range of concrete applications:

• Curb and gutter
• Sidewalks
• Solid concrete steps
• Sloped or downhill grades

Industry Use and Standards

Volumetric mixers are trusted by:

• The Federal Government
• The City of Virginia Beach
• Numerous municipal governments worldwide

Standards for accuracy and consistency are set by the Volumetric Mobile Mixer Bureau (VMMB), a department of the National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). For more on this, see our FAQ's.