​​​Time is money. That adage is particularly true in today’s construction industry. Generally, the faster and safer you can get a project done, the greater the profit for all involved. Owner/developers can realize earlier returns on their investments, communities that open roads earlier return to productivity faster, and for many construction companies, performance bonuses for early completion can run into millions of dollars.

Concrete is a great choice for fast-track construction. Its flexibility in design, placement, and control allows construction to move efficiently. High rise construction routinely works on a schedule of 3 days per floor.

To move that fast takes a material provider that understands the need for performance, speed, and safety. That’s why Prairie Materials has been the provider of choice for fast-track construction projects in all our service areas. We have the technology, the team, and the resources to work as quickly as you want with the highest quality results.

Collaboration Breeds Innovation

We partner with our customers every step of the way to determine the fastest, most economical way to meet the performance they need, while keeping projects on schedule. In the early stages, we can perform a specification review to look for innovative ways to speed construction and achieve the functional results using the contractors means and methods.

We extensively test our custom mix designs to ensure they are placeable and finishable while meeting project specifications. We bring in the forms and pumps that will be used in production to verify that our mixes perform as expected. Additionally, we pour test slabs when necessary.

We participate in pre-construction planning meetings to determine the required mixes and the scheduling and sequencing of pours, ensuring the right material is available when needed. Our field technicians monitor the ongoing work to keep the project running smoothly.

Capacity for Speed

Prairie is structured for speed. We have the capacity and reliability to meet your schedule. Our plants are strategically located for fast delivery and supported by a fleet of trucks that can be deployed to scale up the job when needed. Our experienced staff of dispatch and drivers make sure that you are not waiting for concrete. Our QC staff maintains the quality and consistency of the concrete load after load, day after day.

“What has really made the difference for concrete construction is the development of high-strength concrete mixes, the greatly increased efficiency of concrete pumps and placing booms, and the development of forming systems that can be erected safely and quickly, then moved to the next location.” 

Stan Korista
Director
Skidmore, Owings and Merrill
Chicago, IL

Fast Track Mixes

Prairie has developed a number of performance products and custom mixes that help speed construction:

• FiberMax products for laser screed operations help to quickly pour floors and flatwork without the need to tie steel or cut mesh. This not only keeps crews safer but also reduces lost time due to accidents. FiberMax can be optimized for higher slump, better finishability, and faster set times.
• Aridus® rapid drying concrete (developed by US Concrete) uses self-desiccating technology to reduce drying time and the risks associated with excess moisture vapor in concrete slabs. This enables faster, more effective floor topping installations in 45 days or less.
• Roller Compacted Concrete mixes for low-speed paving and parking lots can be placed without rebar or forms using standard asphalt paving equipment. Ideal for residential streets, parking lots, and heavy industrial applications, these projects can be topcoated and finished within 72 hours.
• Redi-Fill  flowable fill eliminates the need for equipment, material handling, and labor in backfill operations and can be paved over the same day.
• High Performance Concrete​​ pumpable mixes achieve strength quickly, allowing for early set and easy stripping. Our clog-free mixes, pumped through fixed slick lines to the 88-story Aqua Tower in Chicago, helped McHugh finish construction four months ahead of schedule.
• Self Consolidating Concrete places quickly, eliminates the need for vibration, and can be optimized for early strength gain. It is ideal for congested concrete forms, including foundation mats, vertical walls, and high-rise construction.