# PCC Plant Operations

All PCC intended for pavement use is ready-mixed concrete. Ready-mixed concrete refers to PCC that is delivered to the customer in a freshly mixed and unhardened state (NRMCA, 2002).

- Canonical URL: https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/construction/production/pcc-plant-operations/
- Last updated: 2026-11-01
- Review: reviewed by licensed professional engineers on the previous Pavement Interactive site, where reviewers were not recorded by name

All PCC intended for pavement use is [ready-mixed concrete](https://pavementinteractive.org/glossary/ready-mixed-concrete/). Ready-mixed concrete refers to PCC that is delivered to the customer in a freshly mixed and unhardened state (NRMCA, 2002). Therefore, PCC production involves the batching and mixing of [portland cement](https://pavementinteractive.org/glossary/portland-cement/), aggregate, water and [admixtures](https://pavementinteractive.org/glossary/admixture/) to form a ready-mixed concrete in accordance with the approved mix design. There are three basic production methods: truck mixing, central mixing and shrink mixing. Other methods of PCC mixing do exist but they are not common in pavement applications and are therefore not covered in *Pavement Interactive*. [Truck mixed PCC](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/construction/production/truck-mixed-pcc/) is dry batched into a concrete mixing truck then blended in the truck either at the batching plant or in route to the job site. [Central mixed PCC](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/construction/production/central-mixed-pcc/) is batched and mixed in a central facility and then loaded into a truck for transport to the job site. [Shrink mixed PCC](https://pavementinteractive.org/reference-desk/construction/production/shrink-mixed-pcc/) is partially mixed in a plant mixer and then discharged into a truck mixer where the mixing is completed. More detailed information on plant operations can be found in:

- American Concrete Pavement Association. (1995). *Construction of Portland Cement Concrete Pavements.* National Highway Institute Course No. 13133. AASHTO/FHWA/Industry joint training. Federal Highway Administration, Department of Transportation. Washington, D.C.
- National Ready Mixed Concrete Association (NRMCA). (2002). NRMCA web site, *Concrete Basics* home page. National Ready Mixed Concrete Association. Silver Spring, MD. [http://www.nrmca.org](http://www.nrmca.org).