Why Concrete is a Critical Part of Construction Projects

The modern construction project will almost certainly use concrete at some point – and if it can’t be delivered to the right place at the right time there could be serious knock-on effects.

Here Madmix, concrete suppliers in the Cambridge area, explain some of the uses the material has for the building industry, how it is an important tool in the Critical Path Method of construction, and how we can help you meet your construction deadlines.

Concrete and Construction

Even if concrete isn’t the principal building material, it will almost certainly still be used in any construction project. For instance, it can be used as a strong and stable foundation, and support brick and stone buildings as well as timber and steel structures.

Concrete can also be used as an oversite – that is laid under the ground floor of a building – even if another material is laid over the top of it. Oversites provide a watertight barrier between the ground and the building itself, and effectively guards against any ingress of damp. As the concrete can be poured into any shape, it can help level up uneven ground and provide a firm base.

Concrete is also the main material used for roads, dams, bridges, car parks, high-rise buildings and pavements, as well as storage areas (particularly in the farming industry).

All of this means that your concrete supply and delivery is likely to form an integral part of any Critical Path Method.

The Critical Path Method

The Critical Path method (CPM) is a technique where you identify tasks that are necessary to complete any project and determining the order in which they should be carried out – basically identifying the shortest time you can complete a project if everything goes to plan.

Also known as critical path analysis, it was developed in America in the late 1950s and has been used in a wide variety of industries, including aerospace and defence, software development, plant maintenance and engineering. It was originally done with pencil and paper, but now it has been made much easier thanks to computer software.

You create a critical path by listing all the activities and the time that each of them will take to complete. You also need to factor in any interdependency between the various phases – that is, the order in which you need to carry them out.

Construction companies often have a variety of interdependent tasks to complete and work to tight schedules (with penalties in place if they fall behind), so CPM has proved particularly useful for the building industry. Concrete is usually one of the initial priorities for any project – for instance, any plumbing or electrical work on a building site can’t start until a concrete foundation has been laid.

Madmix – Concrete Suppliers In and Around Cambridge

At Madmix, we can help you keep to your project deadlines by delivering high-quality accredited concrete six days a week (Monday to Friday, with Saturday morning deliveries available at a small premium). We offer same-day or next-day delivery, so if you do hit a problem and your construction work falls behind schedule, we will do our best to accommodate you.

Our fleet of 8 cu metre and 6 cu metre barrel truck mixers will get your required load of ready-mix concrete to your site. We offer concrete delivery in St Neots, St Ives, Ely, Royston and Newmarket – as well as Cambridge and the surrounding area. If you prefer, you can also collect your order from our plant just outside Cambridge.

If you would like to learn more about any of our services, follow this link and fill in the online form; you can also speak to Kay on 01954 212212 or email us at info@madmix.co.uk