Trade Journals for the Concrete Industry

During the process of conveying concrete by means of concrete pumps, various disturbances can occur. Often, these problems occur unannounced and for no apparent reason. Of particular relevance are blockages of the conveying line, which make further pumping of the concrete impossible and are associated with very time-consuming and labour-intensive cleaning work. Such blockages can be attributed to various factors, including the concrete mix com- position, the pump line course and the pumping control. This article presents new findings obtained from experimental investigations at both laboratory and large scale. The experiments aimed at creating a scientific basis for estimating the blocking behaviour of different concretes and providing the construction industry with practical recommendations for avoiding blockages when pumping concrete. Different players in the construction industry can benefit directly from these findings. These include ready-mixed concrete suppliers, construction companies, pump manufacturers, and concrete pump service providers.