Weigh Batching vs Volume Batching
Sr.
No. Weigh Batching
01. The concrete ingredients are batched/
proportioned based on weight.
02. Batching by mass is achieved by using
weigh batching machine/ plant.
03. Nominal mix is batched by mass using
regularly maintained and well-calibrated
equipment, therefore high degree of
uniformity in proportion of the fresh and
hardened state concrete can be achieved.
04. Materials batched by mass are exact in
measurement taking cognisance of the
differences in the material properties.
05. Water for mixing is weighed out precisely
as a function of the weight of cement used
for each mix proportion. Hence uniform
water-cement ratio can be maintained,
which plays an important role in achieving
strength of concrete.
06. Each batch is weighed which makes it easy
to detect overruns or incorrect dosages.
07. The slump of concrete batched by mass is
higher than batched by volume for same
mix proportion and water cement ratios.
i.e. slump varies from medium to very high
slump.
08. For same mix proportion, the compressive
strength of concrete batched by mass is
higher than that batched by volume at all
w/c ratios and for curing ages 7 to 28 days.
09. Admixtures are pre-weighed then held in
the hoppers ensuring rapid discharge with
no impact on batch cycle
10. Admixtures can be dosed at any stage of
batching and in multiple dumps- thereby
achieving optimal performance.
11. Concrete is of uniform and consistent
quality.
12. More precise method.
13. Need skilled labours
14. Operation difficult.
15. Speed of construction is high.
16. Maintenance cost is high.
17. This method is expensive.
Volumetric Batching
The concrete ingredients are batched / proportioned
based on volume.
Batching by volume achieved by using a constructed
gauge boxes (Farmas) for proportioning the materials
according to various mix proportions and based on the
quantity of material needed per batch.
In small works gamellas are also used for
batching. But it is not recommended for batching
of concrete.
When batching by volume is used, possible sources of
error could lead to variation in the amount of aggregate
in a specific volume and errors in measured volume.
These errors often lead to variations in the fresh and
hardened properties of concrete as against specified
characteristics properties.
Variations in quantity are very much likely for
materials. ultimately affect strength of concrete.
The volume of water required for mixing is not often
specified. Sometime extra water is added to make
concrete workable.
This makes concrete non uniform and reduce the
strength.
Difficult to detect overruns or incorrect dosages.
Slump varies from low to high.
For same mix proportion, the compressive strength of
concrete batched by volume is lower than that batched
by mass at all w/c ratios and for curing ages 7 to 28
days.
Admixtures are batched directly into correct mix,
which could slow batching cycle.
Admixtures are difficult to batch at certain stages of
the batching sequence.
The quality of concrete may differ because of bulkage
of fine aggregates (Sand) and therefore concrete is not
uniform and consistent..
Less precise method.
No need to required skilled labours.
Easy to operate.
Speed of construction is slower than weigh batching.
Maintenance cost is practically nill.
This method is cheaper and economical.