A guide to selecting the best concrete mix for foundations and footings
When it comes to building strong and durable foundations, selecting the right concrete mix is essential. In this guide we’ll take you through the step-by-step process.
RC45 + Poly fibres is designed to withstand the rigorous, day‑to‑day demands of modern farming. Providing long‑lasting durability, it helps keep agricultural and livestock operations running smoothly.
This concrete mix is for internal use and has a combination of specially selected admixtures and hard aggregates to provide improved chemical-resistance and increased load-bearing capacity for heavy machinery and livestock traffic.
For external applications that require additional durability and weather resistance, we recommend using PAV2 concrete as it has superior performance against wet and frosty conditions with greater resistance to surface wear and weather-related damage. This material is rated for heavy vehicle usage, perfect for industrial yards with heavy goods movements.
For further support please get in touch with our friendly team who will be happy to help or visit our help and advice page – here you’ll find useful information on how to place an order, what to expect on delivery day and more.
Concrete slump is a measure of workability and consistency. A higher slump means the concrete is more fluid before it sets. Choosing the right slump is important and will save you time and trouble.
In farming applications, the choice of concrete slump is critical to balance workability, strength, and durability for harsh agricultural environments. Internal livestock floors in barns or milking parlours, a typical S3 slump is commonly used to produce a mix that can be well-compacted and finished with a broom texture for slip resistance; this helps the slab withstand heavy point loads from animals and machinery while resisting wear from feed acids and cleaning chemicals.
In external yards, silage clamps, and traffic areas an S2 or S3 slump is often used depending on the design of the yard / floor where there may be differences in heights with designed falls and ramps. Higher slumps between S3 and S4 can improve placement and compaction over larger pours and around reinforcement, especially in variable weather conditions. However, we advise that the slump is kept moderate to prevent segregation to maintain surface durability against freeze–thaw cycles and tractor traffic. In all cases, the slump must be carefully controlled on site, as overly wet mixes where additional water has been added reduces strength and increases cracking risk, which is particularly problematic in agricultural settings where hygiene and long-term durability is essential.
Our easy-to-use concrete calculator can be used for guidance to help you work out how much concrete you need.
The ordering process is quick and easy – order online and our customer service team will contact you or give us a call. There is no need to set up an account as we accept card payments.
Preparing for your concrete delivery will ensure everything runs smoothly on the day. See our quick guide which will take you through the essentials from preparing your base to achieving a smooth finish.
Our Minimix trucks are designed to access hard-to-reach areas with compact dimensions (3m wide x 3.9m high x 9m long) compared to a standard concrete truck. This allows for a tighter turning circle and easier manoeuvring on residential streets or smaller sites. However, they are heavy, at over 20 tonnes, and can only travel over ground that is rated for heavy-goods vehicles.
You also need to consider how the concrete will be offloaded from the mixer once it arrives. It’s not always possible to position the vehicle exactly where you need the pour. Many customers opt to use wheelbarrows or build a wooden chute, while others hire a mini dumper. In select locations we provide a concrete pump service for added convenience.
If you need ready-mix concrete, we’ve got you covered. With over 130 locations across the UK, our fleet of Minimix concrete trucks are perfect for small volume deliveries and restricted access sites.
Our experienced local teams know your area and understand your challenges and are here to help you choose the right mix for your project. From footings, garden shed slabs to agricultural floors, small commercial projects and more we have a minimix option to suit your project.
When it comes to building strong and durable foundations, selecting the right concrete mix is essential. In this guide we’ll take you through the step-by-step process.
Kings Langley-based Hardcrete strengthens Breedon’s minimix service via new acquisition. The move marks a key milestone in Breedon’s ambitious strategy