Preparation and Placement of Concrete Floor Slab
Concrete floor slabs are becoming popular for commercial and residential buildings. A concrete base is good for thermal efficiency, keeps the structure durable and supports large and heavy structures. For a good concrete floor slab construction, the following procedures are recommended. Formwork Preparation Formwork is used to hold the concrete slab in place until it […]
THE GREAT WALLS OF THE WORLD
THE WALLS OF SACSAYHUAMÁN, PERU Scientists still have no clear answer as to who built the citadel of Sacsayhuamán in the Andes, when and why. The fortress stands close to the former capital of the Inca Empire, Cuzco, and the most common belief is that it was built to protect the city. Three zigzag walls […]
What different types of finishes can be used with concrete?
Formwork concrete surfaces can be smoothed and finished in a number of ways. It can be polished, salt finished, have a burnt look added, be left with exposed aggregate, it can have texture added with a troweled finish, or be stamped or stenciled.
What is the purpose of formwork?
Formwork concreting serves to basically act as mould for pouring concrete in to specific sizes and shapes. It allows concreters to mould the fresh concrete, to whatever shape is specified in design drawings and plans.
What is concrete stamping?
Concreters when using stencils and patterns are able to imprint, colour over or add texture to patterns and designs onto the surface of concrete. Uncured concrete will have the concrete stenciling designs pressed or laid out on the top, and then when carefully removed the texture or design stays behind.
Do you need gravel under concrete driveway?
A crucial step to putting in a concrete driveway, is putting down gravel or crushed rock first. This gives a more level surface, and also will prevent cracking and collapsing. Water can run off and drain underneath, which helps prevent cracking.
What is the best thickness for a concrete driveway?
The Industry recommendation for concrete driveways is 4 inches – also the same for slab floors. Non-reinforced concrete can be put down if only passenger vehicles will be over it, but if larger work trucks, oats or caravans will be used on it, then a depth of at least 5 inches is preferred.
Is concrete better than asphalt for a driveway?
Unlike Tar or asphalt, concrete driveways are more versatile, resisting weathering and shrinking. As it can also resist chemical and oil stains it’s the prime choice for driveways or carports.
What type of concrete is used for driveways?
Concrete driveways obviously need to be durable, and able to cope with a lot of surface load. 3000-4000 PSI is the ideal range for driveways with passenger vehicles driving over them daily.
What is a “Class A finish”?
Once fresh concrete has been poured and leveled, a concrete “finisher” works on smoothing the surface, and getting all air pockets and blemishes out. If very few can be seen, and it has even tone or colour, it’s called a Class A finish. Getting a Class A finish is desired for residential concrete or commercial […]
